Guest guest Posted October 8, 2004 Report Share Posted October 8, 2004 Connie, be sure your surgeon knows all this, and that your anesthesiologist does, too, and that whatever you need is written in your chart. That's important! Particularly talk with him about the anxiety about breathing and your prior experiences with this. Is there a chance a hypnotist or other therapist could teach you some relaxation exercises to help ease your worries? You won't suffocate. Nobody has, that i know of, anyhow, and I've been on these boards since about 2001. You probably will have some congestion and stuffiness. The same lay recommendations apply -- steam, vaporizer, pseudafed, Afrin, nasal saline or whatever your doc recommends. (That thought doesn't help a lot when you feel yourself struggling to breathe, though. You will be helped, I think, if you can make your mind tell your body that it's ok, not to panic, just to relax and concentrate on the breathing.) I have fibromyalgia, but not lupus, thank heavens. I didn't find that it played a role in this surgery. The surgery may actually help your insomnia and anxiety patterns, especially if apnea is playing any role in causing them. As for dry mouth, are you familiar with Biotene products? There are mouthwash, toothpaste, gels, gum and other modes of delivery. Many people find them helpful. There is also a drug you may know already -- Salagen -- that is sometimes prescribed for dry mouth in other contexts. And I can't tell you about your specific ailments, but I do know that the body can have amazing ways to handle its stresses. I have a friend who had serious trouble with Parkinson's. In the face of some essential, and very difficult, treatment of a life-threatening problem, the Parkinson's retreated during the treatment and recovery, as the docs had told us it might. Best, Cammie > > > Dear Group, > Thank you for the honesty and support this groups generates. > I am Connie, scheduled for upper jaw, palatal expansion and lower jaw > surgery Oct 26 at Kaiser Oakland facility. > I have several chronic autoimmune illnesses that will probably complicate > this already complex surgery. I have done my research and have my meds in > liquid form that I require daily and a pill crusher for any others that I > need to ingest. > Does anyone have Lupus or Fibromyalgia? I also suffer from Sjorgrens > Syndrome -- dry mouth predominantly. My question is did your chronic > illness escalate prior to your surgery. Autumn has always been the roughest > season for me -- and it seems like each day is one more mini emergency with > my body. > Anxiety. Yes. Insomina. Yes. TMJ returning with a vengeance. Yes. > But I know from having prior surgeries, my main fear is not being able to > breathe. I had Thoracic Outlet Surgery 20 years ago and awoke with a chest > tube in and feeling like I was suffocating... and it is my worst fear and > nightmare. > I do have myo-fascial release therapy at least once a week and have felt it > does more for my general health and well-being than any thing else I've > tried. > I've been 3 years on this path and I know this journey is almost finished. > > Thank you for listening and I wish everyone the best with their surgeries > and recoveries. > Regards, > > Connie J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 8, 2004 Report Share Posted October 8, 2004 Connie, be sure your surgeon knows all this, and that your anesthesiologist does, too, and that whatever you need is written in your chart. That's important! Particularly talk with him about the anxiety about breathing and your prior experiences with this. Is there a chance a hypnotist or other therapist could teach you some relaxation exercises to help ease your worries? You won't suffocate. Nobody has, that i know of, anyhow, and I've been on these boards since about 2001. You probably will have some congestion and stuffiness. The same lay recommendations apply -- steam, vaporizer, pseudafed, Afrin, nasal saline or whatever your doc recommends. (That thought doesn't help a lot when you feel yourself struggling to breathe, though. You will be helped, I think, if you can make your mind tell your body that it's ok, not to panic, just to relax and concentrate on the breathing.) I have fibromyalgia, but not lupus, thank heavens. I didn't find that it played a role in this surgery. The surgery may actually help your insomnia and anxiety patterns, especially if apnea is playing any role in causing them. As for dry mouth, are you familiar with Biotene products? There are mouthwash, toothpaste, gels, gum and other modes of delivery. Many people find them helpful. There is also a drug you may know already -- Salagen -- that is sometimes prescribed for dry mouth in other contexts. And I can't tell you about your specific ailments, but I do know that the body can have amazing ways to handle its stresses. I have a friend who had serious trouble with Parkinson's. In the face of some essential, and very difficult, treatment of a life-threatening problem, the Parkinson's retreated during the treatment and recovery, as the docs had told us it might. Best, Cammie > > > Dear Group, > Thank you for the honesty and support this groups generates. > I am Connie, scheduled for upper jaw, palatal expansion and lower jaw > surgery Oct 26 at Kaiser Oakland facility. > I have several chronic autoimmune illnesses that will probably complicate > this already complex surgery. I have done my research and have my meds in > liquid form that I require daily and a pill crusher for any others that I > need to ingest. > Does anyone have Lupus or Fibromyalgia? I also suffer from Sjorgrens > Syndrome -- dry mouth predominantly. My question is did your chronic > illness escalate prior to your surgery. Autumn has always been the roughest > season for me -- and it seems like each day is one more mini emergency with > my body. > Anxiety. Yes. Insomina. Yes. TMJ returning with a vengeance. Yes. > But I know from having prior surgeries, my main fear is not being able to > breathe. I had Thoracic Outlet Surgery 20 years ago and awoke with a chest > tube in and feeling like I was suffocating... and it is my worst fear and > nightmare. > I do have myo-fascial release therapy at least once a week and have felt it > does more for my general health and well-being than any thing else I've > tried. > I've been 3 years on this path and I know this journey is almost finished. > > Thank you for listening and I wish everyone the best with their surgeries > and recoveries. > Regards, > > Connie J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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