Hi.
I was due to have a small operation today, but I could not make it through the night without a drink.
When I managed to sleep, I would wake up less than a half hour later coughing and choking.
I made sure I used plenty of Biotene during the night and sucked on a few salivix pastilles, and swilled with water and dry mouth wash but the dryness would not clear.
I felt so ill this morning, I canceled the appointment.
How will I get through the next pre op fast?
TIA
Pixi
Hi Pixi :)
I'm surprised you were told to have nothing all night. I was given a 'cut off point' after which I wasn't to drink anything. I was permitted to drink for longer than I was permitted to eat.
I sipped water, swilled it around my mouth, held it for as long as comfortable and then spat it out again, after the cut off point. I found that helpful. It's something I would discuss with the medical team before a rescheduled op though. They may have a better suggestion.
Take care - Scottie :)
All I can think of is to take Pilocarpine to stimulate saliva so you can sleep, but that has to be taken with water too.
Would it be safe to suck on ice chips before an op?
Hopefully the nurses on the forum can chime in with some good suggestions.
Sue
This one I've always handled specifically, had no idea I had SjS but knew I couldn't manage without fluid for that long. The general rule seems to be one can swish and hold the water pretty much without a time issue.
Also was a it revelation that those taking certain meds such as those for seizures were told to take them as usual in the morning with a glass of water. All I wanted was the glass of water.
So ask.
I am so sorry Pixi!
There has got to be a way and it's the doc's job to find it.
Sounds like it was more than your mouth that was too dry. Something should be figured out about your throat.
Hope this can be resolved for you, my dear!
Janna
The primary reason for fasting prior to surgery (more specifically before general anaesthetic) is to prevent any regurgitation of stomach content into the throat and possible aspiration into the lung, while "under". Secondary considerations are the lessening of nausea, and the avoidance of undigested stomach content staying in the stomach for a prolonged period while the gastric tract recovers from the anaesthetic.
If you explain to the anaesthetist about your extreme dryness and resulting choking, the two of you should be able to work out some system that allows you to have water (or even clear liquids) up until a few hours before your surgery, since those things pass through the stomach quite quickly.
Hi guys.
Thank you for all the replies, they're all very helpful.
Hopefully I will be able to talk with the medics so I can solve this.
I told the doctor that it is suspected I have sjs, but I don't think they took much notice. I don't think any of them will beleive it until my ANA comes back positive and the diagnosis goes on my notes ::)