Hiya Ladies, and you poor gents that also have this dang illness. My question to you all is how do you handle the no drink anything before a surgical procedure? I am having surgery Monday and I am terrified of not being able to sip water for that long. Have any of you had to do this , and have any tips? I know from 12 sunday night till probably 2 or 3 monday afternoon I wont be allowed anything :o Not too proud to admit I am scared here.
I fast for blood work, usually 12-14 hour, other than making it hard to get a vein and me super thirsty I've done alright. I know this isn't the same as surgery though. Good Luck, let us know how it goes
XOXO
What time is the surgery itself scheduled? You will likely have an IV at the time and might receive nearly a full bag of fluids before the IV is removed. Also...talk to your doc about your worries. Often patients are allowed to take their more important meds with a sip of water in the a.m.---maybe a few small sips here and there during the night would be OK with your doc. Also, Biotene mouthwash is a must use item for me several times a day and before bed. Maybe using it would help you to remain more comfortable.
Hi
I've had several surgeries in recent years, and always been allowed to use my Biotene Gel when needed.
Good luck for Monday.
Kathyx
You put water in your mouth when it gets dry (constantly) and spit it out. Don't cheat!!
Good luck!! :)
They have things like lollipops which are little sponges on a stick. They wet the sponge on the end and you can hold it in your mouth for moisture. If you don't specifically ask--they won't bother. I would think all hospitals would have these or could improvise something to take care of your dry mouth. Good luck. Lucy
My anesthesiologist was very kind and let me have a few ice chips. The nurses walking around in pre-op had a fit! I guess it really isn't allowed very often. He also used some special drops for my eyes. He told me before surgery, "I am sorry but anything I do to you will dry you out." My skin was terribly dry after surgery, so much so, if I laid my arm on anything, when I picked it up, I left flakes. It was so gross to me! By the time I woke up, they were ready for me to drink something so I could pee and go home.
Best of luck to you. Let us know how you do.
Yes ask for the spongy thing. I had a great anesthesiologist for my shoulder surgery back in september. He knew everything about sjogren's. I didn't ask for anything before surgery for the dryness because it wasn't a concern. I remembered the anesthesiologist's voice and I could tell he was by my side when I was waking up from surgery, i couldn't open my eyes but i was telling them to get something for my dry mouth. The nurses kept saying no but the anesthesiologist insisted they get me something because i had sjogren's. Well it took them forever but they got me the spongy stick after i could keep my eyes open. So if you need anything please talk to the anesthesiologist they understand sjogrens better than any nurse or surgeon
Oh I will ask about the sponge, knowing this backwoods hospital they will think I mean an actual sponge. None of them even know what sjs is /sigh But good ideas I will ask about ice chips they cant let me choke on my dry windpipe.
This weather is so dry too that man its really making things worse when I step outside, I swear the climate is working against me lol
I never really had any hassles when I would rinse my mouth and spit it out. Of course, that was after I explained to the nurses that I would not be swallowing as I did not want do die from aspirating any stomach contents. They knew I got it. Now, I would try biotene as well.
I did search the "Sjogren's syndrome surgery precautions" terms, and ended up with the following link from E-how, which is not a really good, reliable source. However, what they say makes sense. http://www.ehow.com/about_5052167_sjogrens-syndrome-general-anesthesia.html
This site is helpful, but is for nurses.
http://www.the-medical-dictionary.com/sjogren_s_syndrome_article_1.htm
I hope that all goes smoothly and you recover properly and quickly!
Hugs, Sharon
I think they call it a lemon swab for moisture/mouth freshness.
I basically said to every person who would listen: I HAVE SJOGREN'S AND HAVE TO TAKE MY MEDS. DOES MY ANATHESIOLOGIST KNOW ABOUT SJS? I MIGHT CHOKE WHEN I GET THE TUBE BECAUSE IT IS SO DRY. EVEN WITH MEDS I AM DRIER THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON. I HAVE LOZENGES TO MAKE MY MOUTH MOIST AND I HAVE TO TAKE THEM. I honestly yelled this as politely as I could to all who would listen.
The dr. told me to take a Salagen right before surgery. I also took mine about 4 hours before then and 4 before that. Too bad for them, I have had 4 c-sections and 2 other surgeries requiring general and that won't make me puke. I coudln't have a lozenge in my mouth for surgery but I was just fine. They gave me one as soon as I was in recovery.
hth
Those are great reference links, Sharon---thanks! :)
They usually tell me I can take my morning meds with a sip of water. If my mouth get dry as it always does, I swish some water around and spit it out. That helps me deal with the no fluids before surgery.
I drink water even when they say not too...my doctors have told me this is fine. Im always extremely dry and dehyrated, and maybe because I have POTS, its more important for me to have fluids in my body then be dehydrated. I just take small sips of my smartwater, and I also chew gum. I have never had a problem..but, everyone is different I guess. No way I could give up drinking water for that long.
Gursie
Last time I had surgery, i got the doctor to approve of me using the Oasis Moisturizing Mouth Spray. Biotene also makes a version of this.
But I like the flavor of the Oasis one better.
Quote from: gurs on December 01, 2012, 04:41:37 AM
I drink water even when they say not too...my doctors have told me this is fine. Im always extremely dry and dehyrated, and maybe because I have POTS, its more important for me to have fluids in my body then be dehydrated. I just take small sips of my smartwater, and I also chew gum. I have never had a problem..but, everyone is different I guess. No way I could give up drinking water for that long.
Gursie
I read an article in a medical magazine a few years ago that said that people could really have a little water and it not effect them before surgery. It said that the regulations of not having anything for hours before surgery were really safety measures and were actually longer than needed just to be safe. It's horrible for me to go without water for that long! I have such a hard time. I'm going to talk to my doctor about options before I have my next surgery. I ripped my foot almost totally off in a wreck back in 1994, so I still have some reconstructive surgeries to go. Some major and some minor but have to fast before all of them. There's got to be some better way!
I lie..I dont tell them anything or they would flip out? Im a bad girl..I will take my risks I guess.
I also llike the oasis mouth spray..hard to find and expensive.
Gursie
Quote from: gurs on December 03, 2012, 04:13:25 AM
I lie..I dont tell them anything or they would flip out? Im a bad girl..I will take my risks I guess.
I also llike the oasis mouth spray..hard to find and expensive.
Gursie
LOL at least you're honest!! I usually sneak a few sips of water too!
The risk of aspirating anything you vomit up is potentially fatal. Please don't lie!
Sharon
Hey all had the procedures yesterday, was knocked out till this morning and sleeping lol. So far so good little bleeding and mild pain just woozy. The tube they place down your windpipe to breathe for you and put in the gas for anesthetic I guess..has left my throat really tender and sore. I didnt cheat I just rinsed and spit, maybe a little trickle of water swallowed but no drinking. It was heck I was soo dry I just couldnt wait to be knocked out and get it over with. The anesthesiologist put tons of gunk in my eyes and on the breathing tube and said she would do what she can. Now to see if it took I am supposed to start a period late this week, crossing fingers I dont wind up in the ER with hemorrhaging and this took care of the problem. At least that will be one less stressor on me, I have had infusions transfusions, if this dont work then hysto is next...and I really dont want that if I can avoid it.
One concern I have is the lasting effect of general anesthesia, worried it may set off some flare. I did notice the skin on my arm along the vein the put the iv in..went all puckered and shiny tight. This worries me, because my doc thought before that I may have scleroderma about to pop. Hopefully it was just dry skin response please God.
Tivia
I'm glad you've got the procedure over and done with. The fear of surgery is often worse than the procedure, isn't it.
Now you need to rest and recover.
Hugs
Kathyx
Glad thats behind you Tivia!!! Fingers crossed for you!!
XOXO
Ldy
Any time i'm awake I always have a glass or bottle of something to drink with me at all times.. I always drink when i'm having surgery too.. And i'm like gurs, I don't tell them either.. For some it might cause problems but i've had surgery quite a few times and it's never hurt me..
I'm glad it's over, Tivia and you are doing well... Rest and take good care of yourself..
How are you doing Tivia?