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CH and Surgery

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#1 Sun, 09/03/2014 - 09:55
Mr Git
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CH and Surgery

Hi All

I'm waiting for a final date for some long overdue knee surgery.  It may be scheduled for late March/early April, hence why I haven't booked for Shrewsbury yet.

Can anyone give me any advice about having surgery during a bout.  I know many of you have been through it.  Are there any must do's, or I guess more importantly must don'ts!

I seem to recall from years ago somebody mentioning you should have your Oxygen on stand-by in the recovery room in case you come to with a full blown red-eye.

I have discussed it with my consultant.  He said I should discuss it with the anaesthetist.  However, it occurs to me that this is likely to be on the day and I would rather have a plan in place before then.

I'd be grateful if anyone could provide any advice.

Thank you

Sean

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Sun, 09/03/2014 - 10:45
Colin Allen Vic...
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It would be a good idea to have a sumatriptan injection on hand.Several years ago,one of our members was under general anaesthetic having the ONSI fitted when he threw an attack on the operating table.The surgical team zapped him with an injection and continued with the operation.

It's highly unlikely that the same would happen to you or anyone else,but it would be prudent to have one on standby.

Colin Allen

Vice Chairman

Sun, 09/03/2014 - 10:58
Mr Git
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Thanks Colin

I will ensure they have a supply on hand and are fully briefed, and I will have Mrs Git on stand-by!

I must admit, I had assumed the weird things that an injection seems to do to your blood vessels / heart would dictate that this might not be possible.  I'm pleased to hear it's a possibility, I can stop having nightmares now!

I suspect that key-hole knee surgery is only minor surgery so I'm hopeful nothing will happen but it makes sense to be prepared.

Thanks

Sean

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Sun, 09/03/2014 - 16:07 (Reply to #3)
Colin Allen Vic...
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You'll soon be back on the piste. Talking of which.....I'm off to the club.

Colin Allen

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Sun, 09/03/2014 - 19:37
Scott
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a word of Caution in Colins Tale, the Member was having ONSI For a headache Disorder fitted. So their was a consultant Neuro or 2 kicking about the room.

 

Knee surgery will be by a knee doctor who won't have a clue why you are kicking off... it will be like the time I was given that loverly spray which sent me straight to kip 10 and the Nurse who administered it then said. I know it might give you a headache but your being a bit dramatic... 

 

 

Sun, 09/03/2014 - 19:56
Mr Git
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Thanks Scott

I'll have a word with them. 

One idea for the future might be to ask the guy who does the ONSI operations (is his name Watkins??) to produce something similar to a regime sheet for sufferers to provide surgeons in this situation.

I'm not looking forward to those alcohol gel dispensers everywhere.  The smell of one from 20 paces is enough to wake the Beast |(

Mike will probably suggest that I have the operation without anaesthetic, but then he's tough.

Some say his skin is made of kevlar........and that he walks barefoot on hot coals every morning just for fun.  All we know is......he's called The Chairman :jawdrop:

Sean:bigsmile:

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Sun, 09/03/2014 - 20:36
Scott
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haha, from my own experience you have to be pretty desperate to drink the hospital handwash, Colin tells me you actually can get a taste for it, he likes the green bottles best.:beer:

 

 

 

 

 

Sun, 09/03/2014 - 21:14
duetto
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had a shoulder op. on the day they did not want me taking any meds, o2 was made available if i needed it.

after the op did not have cluster for about a week, apparently this is common after GA.

 

wish you well for your op

Sun, 09/03/2014 - 21:17
Mr Git
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Thanks David

That would be a welcome break if it happened.

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Mon, 10/03/2014 - 18:21
Mike
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"It would be a good idea to have a sumatriptan injection on hand.Several years ago,one of our members was under general anaesthetic having the ONSI fitted when he threw an attack on the operating table.The surgical team zapped him with an injection and continued with the operation".

 

Yep, I remember it well. I actually had a go at the anaesthatist becuase I didnt think he had injected me properly, even though it had woprked. I did apologise afterwards. Sean, never had an anaesthetic since, nothing is more painful than a CH attack.:bigsmile:

 
 
 
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Mon, 10/03/2014 - 23:51
Scott
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Mike,

if you had the proceedure done by OUCH members we would have wired you up cheaper and remembered how to throw an injection in at the right moment... Professionals..

 

 

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 00:23
Phil
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I think key-hole surgery can be done under local anesthetic?

Might be an idea if you're hardened from years of pain and eat rhinos for breakfast.

The anxiety leading up to the surgery will almost definitely raise your adrenaline levels;

-Good for clusters.

Scott, could you pencil me in for the OUCH members ONSI team? I've got some revolutionary ideas, USB ports, digital radio, solar panels...

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 09:50
Mr Git
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I could use some extra memory :~

Chloe:  Aston Villa - Remember, help is available, just call the Helpline :bigsmile:

I could use some extra memory :~

 

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Tue, 11/03/2014 - 09:55
Scott
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Sean,

 

Helpline does not offer alternative team support tips - the service is run by a Die Hard Liverpool Fan, we need say no more. So your options are limited to Supporting the 'mighty' reds or just not supporting football. 

 

 

 

 

 

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 09:59
Scott
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When would you like your OUCH (UK) ONSI done, here is a picture of the team in action

 

 

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 11:14
Mr Git
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Isn't that COLONSI Irrigation? :O

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Tue, 11/03/2014 - 11:53 (Reply to #16)
Colin Allen Vic...
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You've just brought back some very unpleasant memories,Sean. LOL.

Scottie,advice from the helpline team will always be delivered impartially,regardless of footballing allegiances but,you're quite right,supporting the mighty reds will have decided benefits.:bigsmile:

Colin Allen

Vice Chairman

Tue, 11/03/2014 - 12:35
Scott
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Like Tescos we offer some ONSI options.

Finest - where we ductape some wires to your skill

or

Value range where we create a distraction pain for your cluster headaches.

 

)

 

 

Mon, 07/04/2014 - 11:32
SueB
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Hello Mr Git

Not Oxygen related- but may help in general!

I was in a certain hospital over Christmas/New Year with an attack of Gallstones.  I grabbed my medications as I was whisked away to hospital.   The hospital do require you to hand over any medications so that they can be listed and given out when the drugs trolly comes round.  They are locked in your personal locker and the nursing staff have the key.   This was all fine except I wanted to have access to my Sumatriptans knowing full well that very busy nursing staff could not be able to answer a call immediately and from experience I know that I have to take one as soon as I feel an attack developing (which is more often at night when staff are scarce).

I did try the correct procedure by asking for the locker to be unlocked and why it was important for me to take medication immediately - but it was all taking far too long and did not seem to be anyone's priority - they even lost the key for a period of time!

I explained my position to a really nice person in charge and he let me keep a couple out of tablets 'out of sight' and this was a godsend to me.  I know this should not really be allowed hence I not naming my hospital...

Been back since (few days back) and had the pesky little blighter removed via keyhole surgery under general and all went well.

Good luck with your knee surgery :) 

Sue 

Sue
 
 

Mon, 07/04/2014 - 13:30
Mike
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Sue, why on eath are you taking sumatriptan tabs? They are not nearly fast enough at around 40 minutes to take effect and are not even recommended for CH. Many GP's try to  give to save costs, which frankly is a disgrace. The only two recommended treatments in The BNF 4.7.4.3 are high flow Oxygen and sumtriptan subcutaneous. Ask your GP why you havent been given the correct medication. If they dont come up with a satisfactory answer complain to you CCG

regards

Mike

 
 
 
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Mon, 07/04/2014 - 14:45 (Reply to #20)
SueB
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Hi Mike

Responded in other forum feed with my phone number.

I guess it is all just historical Sad   

Sue

Sue
 
 

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