dry throat and intubation tube?

[Julie]

Epson,

Can you expand on what kind of problems you had?  Did they have trouble with insertion/removal?  Tear anything? Sore throat for days/weeks afterwards?  The anesthesiologist said they will use a smaller one on me. 

Julie

[navydad]

Put your fears to rest,, they will do what you have voiced concerns about,, you told them,, they wrote it down,, take your notes with you,, talk to the guy before they do surgery,, by then you will have done all you can do,, try to relax,,, getting more stressed about it is just going to make it worse,, inother words,, its going to be ok,,

[Epson]

Julie,

The problem was insertion of the intubation tube, I looked like I went 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.  My mouth was cut up and my lip was swollen.  My throat is almost always sore, but I did experience some addition discomfort for a few days.

If the anaesthesiologist is aware of the problem your complications will be minimal to none, the anisesteaologist check my throat last week to determine what size tube to use and called the anaesthesiologist who wrote the letter explaining the difficulty he had encountered.  I was told that if there was a problem intubating me the surgery would be canceled rather then causing trauma to the throat and mouth.

The last couple of time I had surgery they use a smaller tube and would only use the bigger intubation tube if I had trouble breathing, at that point who cares about a beat up mouth and sore throat.  As long as they are aware of the problem you will be fine.

[irish]

That is interesting Epson. We are all so different and have different shaped mouths, throat, etc. One of my sons has such a small mouth that they had a heck of a time removing his tonsils when he was 6 years old.

I have a sister with a very small mouth and she also has small jaws and never got 8 of her permanent teeth ---- which was very good as there was no room. Probably agenetic type thing. The anesthesia people know that we don't all come in one size and if made aware of the situation they can adapt as needed---which is what they have been doing with you. Hope you are doing ok, Epson. Irish

[Julie]

Well....the gallbladder surgery took place last Wed.  My Hgb was low going in so it's taking me longer to bounce back. I did this with no pain medication during or after surgery too, so I expect that is slowing me up more than the norm.

I felt no residual side effects of having been intubated, so that was a relief.  My husband and I did get rather concerned when the nurse anesthetist came over and read through all of my health concerns and my list of DO's and DON'Ts.  He just stood there skimming and going "hmmm...uh huh..you have a lot of allergies."  He then went over and grabbed a syringe and came back ready to inject it into my IV. We both asked "what is that?"  He said, "Versed."  We picked up the paper that he had JUST got done reviewing and showed him where it said in bold capital letters, "No VERSED and No PAIN MEDS unless patient requests it."  I have to tell you that I was a little nervous when I saw that HE was the one administering the anesthesia when they wheeled me into the O.R.  At that point, I told myself it was in God's hands.  That's the last I knew before waking up in recovery. 

This past weekend, I developed pneumonia.     The surgeon wasn't in yesterday so I went to my family doc.  I have trouble with nearly every antibiotic out there so I was really hoping to avoid this.  The only thing I can semi-successfully take is Amoxicillin.  He's not sure it's going to work, but we are trying it for a couple of days. 

Also, I think I have a bladder or kidney infection.  I don't know if they inserted a urine cath or not..I didn't think they do that for this particular surgery. But ,it has felt kind of swollen down there since.  And..the kidney region on both sides of my back is sore.  Does anyone know or had experience with anesthesia causing the kidneys to be sore a few days after a surgery?  Meds stay with me a LONG time, so I am hoping this is just a temporary thing that will soon pass.  If it is an infection, I hope the Amoxicillin will knock that out too.

I'm ready to feel good again. Doc's orders were to keep eating bland until I see him on Thurs.  I sure hope I'll be able to eat some foods that I haven't been able to touch in years.  I have had bouts of diarrhea since the surgery though..even with crackers and jello.

The stone was one single one as the U/S had shown, and it was the size of a golf ball.  The doc gave us pictures of it.  What a great conversation starter if we leave that out on the coffee table!  lol

 

[Carolina]

Dear Julie:

So GLAD it went as well as it did!

And glad you and your husband stayed on TOP of everything and everyone!

My husband had a single gallstone, the size of a golf ball, that never bothered him once, until the day it blocked his gallbladder bileduct and he got deathly ill and had to have emergency surgery.

You sound like me with allergies to everything.  It makes everyone very anxious...and I don't blame them.  But what can you do?
It's not like we CHOOSE to become allergic.

About your possible BLADDER or KIDNEY infection.   I have the test strips that the use in the doctor's office.  You can buy them at a drugstore or by mail.

You can find out for yourself if you have an infection, right away, at home!

Sometimes bladder and kidney infections need Urinary Tract specific antibiotics.

Just a thought.

Take care girl, and get well.

Kisses

Carolina