anesthetics

[Guest guest]

Donna,

Here's some information from the former CMTI newsletter on

anesthetics.

http://www.lindacrabtree.com/cmtnews/anesthetics/anestheticssubtitles.

html

Before my last surgery (lumbar fusion) I met with the anestheologist

(about a week to 5 days before the surgery. He already knew of my CMT

because it was in my file. He asked me about it, how I was affected,

etc. He also asked me how my breathing was, which it has always been

fine. He did take a look at my feet, legs, hands and arms - I have to

admit the guy was real professional. He told me that he would be

using something in an IV in my arm to put me out.

When the day of surgery came, seeing him and my surgeon waiting for

me was sort of nice...since I already had a rapport with both. First

the IV was hooked up, then the antibiotic went in, and I never knew

when he put the anesthetic in. lol maybe I was so comfortable?! I

don't remember anything after that, until I woke up. And I woke up

fast, alert, and with no nausea with my surgeon by the bedside

telling me " It's over " . Wierd because the surgeon's assistant told me

that while they were preparing me for surgery, I was very alert and

asking all kinds of questions, etc. Heck, I never remember seeing her

or asking the questions, etc.

One other thought I had for you - is your procedure something that

can be done with a local anesthetic rather than a full sedation? I

knew ahead that back surgery would require full sedation, but there

is so much surgery being done here now with only a local.

Hope the link helps.

Gretchen

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have CMT and Severe Restrictive Lung Disease. I can't lay flat. 10 years ago

is when this started. I had 8 pneumothoraxes(collapsed lungs). Finally they had

to take off the top part of my lung. I have 152 staples in it. I have to wear

Oxygen at night because my O2 SATS go down in the 30's otherwise.

I had my Hysterectomy and my Foot reconstruction done under spinal anesthesia. I

was completely awake for the foot surgery which took 3 hrs. The doctor let me

sit straight up for the whole thing. It was great no breathing problems. I try

to always get the same Anesthesiologist every time.

You need to find one that listens to you and understand what you are feeling and

going through. Especially since you are so vulnerable during surgery. During my

foot surgery he sat right there and kept asking me if I was alright and am I

sure I didn't want anything for pain or sedate me. I hope this helps people.

Bobbie