check previous blog section on home page-around dec 07-more than one blog on anesthesia and ad. I can't get it for you- in airport waiting to board. also do search at top of this page.
Our experience with any anesthesia has been --locals are not a problem. I don't know about gas ones, for him, but the light intervenous when he had a carpal tunnel surgery went fine and no lasting issues. On another thread I read that the deep anesthesia for majorsurgeries was a problem. Someone else will be along who knows more, I'm sure.
Having experienced the effect of anesthesia after my husband broke his hip and the surgeon had no choice but to replace part of his hip joint, I submit this question. Even if I knew then, what I know now..... how could I have stood there and refuse to let the surgeons and anethesiologist use the anesthesia required to accomplish this emergency (and invasive) procedure. One of his legs was shorter than the other due to the severe hip dislocation, his was in horrific pain, and - frankly - no options were available other than to refuse the surgery. But, who would want to leave him in that condition where he'd be in agony and unable to sit, stand or walk?
So,.... I pose the question. Knowing what we know about the after effects of anesthesia, what would you have done if you had been in my situation at that moment.
Nancy B, I agree with you and the others for surgery in this particular case. MY DH was told by a cardiologist not too long ago that he'd be a good candidate for a pacemaker. Decided against it for two reasons - one being the anesthesia and the other the issue of creating a heart that would keep beating longer than the rest of him might. But your case was very different and a hip replacement will have immediate effects and improve his quality of life right now. It sounds like you did the right thing.
I vote yes on the surgery. Like Divvi said, comfort takes precedence. Claude had two angioplasties which required anesthesia. He did have some complications from the anesthesia, but he would have died from a massive heart attack six years ago.
Liz, we voted against a pacemaker last November for the same reasons you stated. He passed away in February of this year from Alz related problems, not heart problems.
I mentioned on another thread, but will repeat here, hb had terp surgery; no general anesthesia because the anesthesiologist said it would affect his already mental problems adversely. Quick recovery w/no problems. BUT if it were hip as you described, I'd approve the surgery--worse results not to than having more mind problems.
I think my husband's doctor put it best. If it is a necessary surgery because you can't live without it, and it isn't going to kill you quickly if you don't have it, you have the surgery. So you fix the broken bones and do the gall bladder surgery. But no elective surgery. That is for the major stuff. So no tummy tucks for my husband. And yes, for those of you who are new, that is how it all came up.
As for dentistry, like carosi said, locals aren't a problem. Talk to everyone about anything stronger than that. And maybe, if he needs stronger anesthesia maybe the dentistry needs to be done in the hospital. Many years ago I had wisdom teeth taken out in the hospital because part of my jaw was going to be removed as well.
Wow! As some of you may know, this has been hot button in my house for several weeks. It's been recommended that DH have open heart surgery to repair a thoracic aortic aneurysm. My son and daughters-in-law have been very vocal and very worried about the anesthesia vs Alzheimers issue. As of this moment, we've made no decision about the surgery. We are meeting with his neurologist on the 17th to discuss several issues, one of them being anesthesia. DH isn't sure he wants to have the surgery if he's going to be left with no quality of life, and I appreciate this. He is in no pain, and is a-symptomatic at the moment (he is in atrial fibrillation), so he's willing to let things "take their course", which could mean my coming home and finding him dead on the floor due to a ruptured aneurysm. It's been very stressful, and hopefully we can come to a mutual decision after meeting with the neurologist.
OOOOHHH. Tough one Diane. Good you are going to discuss with the Neuro. How old is your husband. It will almost certainly effect his quality of life having anesthesia. Personally, I think if I had AD and were facing same issue and over age 75 and my chances were pretty good to still live a few years I would let things take their course. If aneurysm is life threatening in immediate future would be different. I have known people to live several good with aneurysm but I guess it would depend on there they are in your body. One had one in his stomach and the other in their leg. One of those decision making things many of us will have to face at one time or another. Good Luck and let us know your decision.
I've known a woman for thirty years who all that time has had a thoracic aortic aneurism not operated on. She has alz. and is now 89 so certainly beyond surgery. But it has never worried her! She just said when her time came... I'd rather see mine dead on the floor than go through that with him, I must say - consider the pain and rehab from a surgery too. Although I agree that for broken bones, of course you have to do something to make them comfortable. (I'm not sure about gall bladder, Starling!)
With all the delight in the way my husband has been behaving lately, through the trip and everything, I found today shocking - such deterioration for him about knowing how to climb or come down stairs. ANY road block, especially unexpected, is what really hurts them.
Thanks, girls. My DH is only 63 (eoad). The cardiologist can't (or won't) tell me how long this could go without bursting. I'm gonna take a chill pill and wait for the 17th. I really appreciate your input!