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I'm sorry for leaving out some essential details, Mellanie.
I entered the hospital on May 5th last year for an outpatient shoulder-joint replacement. Yes, that's now an outpatient procedure! The normal anesthesia is a nerve-block administered in a bundle between the shoulder joint and the neck. The surgery is done while they keep you sedated but not under a general - at least not usually. The vagus nerve lies very near the point where the nerve-block is administered and - in some like myself - it's so close that the anesthesia "leaks" into the vagus nerve which shuts down the entire abdominal area including the diaphragm. Lucky me... I was fully conscious when I found myself unable to draw breath. The operating room staff went a little crazy, intubated me and put me on general. Thankfully I don't remember that part.
I had the surgery and woke in the ICU. From what I understand, it isn't the surgery itself but the general anesthesia that triggers atrial fibrillation. This is especially true in diabetics and those who are obese. I'm both. I hope that helped make things a bit more clear. Sorry for the confusion.
Gordon
Hi, Mellanie. I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation last May (2014) after a botched anesthesia during a hospital stay that was supposed to be an outpatient visit. They accidentally paralyzed my diaphragm which landed me in the ICU at which point atrial fibrillation began for the first time. I haven't been evaluated since then but from what I can tell and during every doctor visit since, it has not been present. However, no official pass yet.
I can say that I sleep immeasurably better with my BiPAP machine and it has made a huge difference for me. The biggest change I'm hoping to accomplish is large weight loss through a medically assisted program at Kaiser. The diet starts in April and is intended for losses of 40 pounds or more. I need this badly as I'm obese. After that, I assume much will change including heart and joint issues. Also, I should be able to remove the oxygen concentrator from my BiPAP at night. We'll see.
Thanks. I'll need the luck!
Hi, everyone. I was diagnosed with severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea in June of this year and I've been on a BiPAP machine since June 26th. My untreated AHI is 45. My average with treatment is 0.7. I've noticed improvement in my memory, vocabulary, energy and general presence when I'm with other people.
I understand that brain damage caused by untreated OSA is reversible with about a year on average to fully undo what OSA has done. I can't wait to see where I am in June of 2015.
It appears that I am among a small number of new members of your site. How many are signed up? It's not too reassuring to see posts from only 3 people. I also see that there are many "coming soon" features. How soon? I don't want to find myself losing interest.
Hello, all. My name's Gordon and I was diagnosed (by a home test) in late July or early August of this year. At the time, my AHI was 45 (that's 45 times per hour that I stopped breathing on average while sleeping). In retrospect, I've probably had OSA for decades.
In early August, I started using a Philips Respironics BiPAP Auto (System One 60 Series). I've noticed a marked improvement in my memory, alertness, ability to engage others and general energy level since then. From what I've read, brain damage due to OSA is reversible but it can take a full year to completely heal all the damage done. Considering that by nighttime blood oxygen was as low as 53% (I was told I'm lucky to still be here based on that figure), I'd say it's not surprising that brain damage can occur.
I also developed atrial fibrillation after a recent surgical debacle at my hospital and that, too, has improved greatly. Time will tell what other things might improve.
