Need advice about surgery

[Tivia]

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  Not too proud to admit I am scared here.

[Saundra]

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

[olmphoto2]

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.

[Katybarstool]

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

[jazzlover]

You put water in your mouth when it gets dry (constantly) and spit it out. Don't cheat!!

Good luck!!

[eyeamdry]

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

[Reanne]

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.

[jessiblah]

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 

[Tivia]

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

[slccom]

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

[4Kids]

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

[olmphoto2]

Those are great reference links, Sharon---thanks! 

[Loribelle]

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.

[gurs]

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

[Ohiocat]

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.