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A MyParkinsonsTeam Member asked a question 💭
Dallas, TX
July 23, 2016
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A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

I had open-heart surgery in Feb to repair an aortic aneurysm so I was under anesthesia for several hours. I honestly don't know what they did as far as the Parkinson's meds. My body temp was lowered to the low 80's so I don't know how that affected my Parkinson's. Brain activity is greatly reduced at that body temperature. Afterward there was no change in my Parkinson's symptoms. My meds were still effective. I will have a second open heart surgery in late Sept to repair what failed after the original surgery.

July 23, 2016
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

@A MyParkinsonsTeam Member. ..you are right. I asked/begged for.Discharge the morning after surgery. Big mistake. I was back at work after 2 weeks. My nurse/staff had to convince me to home and rest.i was in very obvious pain which i thought i was hiding. Who did i fool but (not very well) myself.!!?? Lesson for today's meditation: patience.

July 23, 2016
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

I had an appendectomy for a ruptured appendix in February. I was very converned beforehand, but it went well. Recovery was very slow, however. Parkinson's can double recovery time. You just have to be patient with yourself and allow your body the time it needs to heal.

July 23, 2016
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

Yes, I had surgery last year. The anesthesiologist was great and said that he would place a separate tube going directly to my stomach so that I could get my PD meds into my stomach on time, even though I would be asleep. This was at a hospital that has a large Movement Disorders center, so they understand the special needs of PD patients in hospital situations. So, I didn't have trouble with the anesthesia or with PD symptoms on awakening at all. However, what I didn't anticipate was the extent to which Parkinson's had already slowed my GI tract and, after having 4+hrs of abdominal surgery, put me at high risk of having my whole GI tract shut down, a very painful condition called paralytic ileus. They discharged me before I realized that my bowels were not working (and I hadn't eaten much so didn't think much about it) but was back in the ER 36 hours later, vomiting and in terrible pain. They confirmed the ileus, "cleaned me out" as best they could, and then I didn't really get my GI tract to work properly for almost 3 weeks. During that time, my PD meds were ineffective and I was really a mess. So, my sad story. Next time "if" I need surgery and can preschedule it, I will make sure that I am on a liquid diet for several days, so that there's nothing much hanging out in my colon. Lesson learned.
Are folks aware that National Parkinson's Foundation has a special kit for people with PD to take with them when they are going to be hospitalized? It educates staff (nursing in particular) about the importance for PD patients to take their meds at the time that THEIR body needs/is used to it, not according to when it's convenient for nursing to distribute meds to all patients. You can get the kit for free at:

http://www.parkinson.org/find-help/aware-in-car...

I've learned that PD has the potential to complicate anything in life, especially surgery and hospital stays. So, be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

July 23, 2016
A MyParkinsonsTeam Member

I have had a general anesthic when dr. could not do one on my spinal column. Does anyone think that the bump on my back could be the cause of my left-foot problem( it won't work).The anesthetic however was successful in that my hip replacement was with the problems I have haf

July 25, 2016

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