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Anesthesia and Sleep Apnea

Anesthesia and Sleep Apnea can be a deadly combination. But awareness of the problems anesthesia can cause for individuals with sleep apnea undergoing surgery is not well known by many physicians. At core, anesthesia poses a danger to people with sleep apnea because it relaxes the muscles in the throat, increasing the likelihood of obstruction. Under normal circumstances, the brain would alert a person whose airway is obstructed to wake up when blood oxygen levels get dangerously low. With anesthesia, however, a person is so knocked out that they won't awaken naturally. So the key is to make sure to meet your anesthesiologist prior to going into the operating room, and working out a plan of attack.

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Permalink Reply by RichM on March 21, 2009 at 9:11pm

Good point exspecially if you also have CSA with your OSA's.

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Permalink Reply by bonesigh on March 21, 2009 at 9:48pm

Hmm, that's interesting and good to know. Thanks. Last time I was under anesthesia for a C-section they had trouble getting me to breath and had to reintubate me. I do remember the doctor seemed to be yelling my name and I think he slapped my face a little I just looked at him and went back to sleep. Makes me afraid to be put out again. This was before I knew about the OSA. I'm glad I found this site to help me with issues dealing with OSA.

Thanks again.

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Permalink Reply by Judy on March 22, 2009 at 12:35am

Actually, we are more at risk AFTER the surgery whilst in Recovery. We are constantly monitored during surgery. Not so in Recovery. apneasupport.com has a very good "sticky" on OSA, surgery and CPAP.

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Permalink Reply by sleepycarol on March 22, 2009 at 11:41am

What a tough thing to go through David!

Not a bad idea of them marking it on your forehead. I know when I had a 3 day hospital stay last spring after a visit to the er, I had my kids bring my cpap. After I was settled into my room and I told the nurse she said I had to have the doctor write it in the orders that I could use it. I wonder how you could handle this in emergency when things are really hectic and crazy -- since it may be forgotten in the shuffle of things.

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Permalink Reply by RichM on March 22, 2009 at 7:23pm

Great ideas from David and SleepyCarol, I have a few things that will require to be under when they give me the OK to stop taking coumadin for my PE's. I will make sure my Dr writes the order for the recovery room and bring in my bipap st.