Albuterol/Asthma/Allergies and Surgery

[Poodles 0]

I have been fighting a cough since January. Got rid of it before my appendix was removed, and then it came back. Made it thru that surgery ok, but did not have a cough then.

My doc put me on a steroid dose pack, KETEK (been on it for almost 20 days now), and Albuterol when needed (using it now). He wants to make sure it does not develop into pneumonia like before.

Cold seems to set off my cough. I can breathe fine most of the time, but when the air conditioner kicks on at night I start to cough.

Dr. is thinking that I am developing asthma or "reactive airway disease", and says that they may not do my surgery if it does not go away soon.

X-ray is totally clear.

My hubby says it is allergies because I have a sneeze sometimes.

Even though I am a bit scared of the whole surgery thing, since it is so close, I don't want them to cancel it.

Anyone have experience with Asthma and surgery? Will they still do it? Should I tell my surgeon? Any advice?

[msbug 0]

I'm a newbie here and haven't been banded yet, but I have asthma and have had a couple surgeries before. My asthma is very much under control, I rarely have attacks anymore. When I've had surgery, the anesthesiologist just has me take a puff or two of my inhaler before they put me under. I've never had any problems with it though. You do need to tell the surgeon about it though. That's not something you want surprising them on the day of surgery! Talk to your doc and see what s/he recomends and go from there. Nighttime cough is one sign of both asthma and allergies. Maybe ask your doc for an allergy med prescription. It can't hurt to see what he says.

Good luck!

[NurseTeresa 0]

You could always ask for some singular.....it is used both for asthma and allergies. I take it on a daily basis for both asthma and allergies. If it is allergies along with the antibiotic Ketek it should help knock you into shape quickly...... Will say prayers for you to feel better soon so that you can still have your surgery! This is no way professional advise but personal advise from a fellow asthmatic and reactive airway disease person.

[Archermom 0]

I'm a newbie here and haven't been banded yet, but I have asthma and have had a couple surgeries before. My asthma is very much under control, I rarely have attacks anymore. When I've had surgery, the anesthesiologist just has me take a puff or two of my inhaler before they put me under. I've never had any problems with it though. You do need to tell the surgeon about it though. That's not something you want surprising them on the day of surgery! Talk to your doc and see what s/he recomends and go from there. Nighttime cough is one sign of both asthma and allergies. Maybe ask your doc for an allergy med prescription. It can't hurt to see what he says.

Good luck!

That's what they do with me too; did not keep them from doing the band!

But please talk to your MD about it. Good luck.

[Mita 2]

I would not understand why he would say that?

I have Asthma and am on 2 inhalers or at least before the band I was.

And the worst thing is when I am given oxygen - needless to say it triggers an attack. I told my band doc and the Prep op room crew. They were ok with it and had me take a puff of the albuterol right before they put me out.

[legallyKristin 0]

If you tell the anesthesiologist they take extra precautions with asthma patients. I have allergies and asthma. I take singular 10 mg and zyrtec 10 mg and so I rarely need an emergency inhaler.

Allergies do trigger asthmatic reactions. I worked for a allergy/asthma specialist for 5 years. They often go hand in hand.

Kristin

[3loves 0]

You need to see an allergy/asthma specialist. My pediatrician said my son didn't have asthma & even x-rayed his lungs. I knew in my heart he had asthma. I took him to a specialist and sure enough, he does have asthma. He takes the Singular, Xopenex (the pure form of albuterol without the jitters) and Pulmicort (steroid). His symptoms improved greatly.

If you don't do anything else, PLEASE tell your surgeon. You don't want to mess around with this and it's not something that would keep you from the band.

Also, keep in mind they may tell you that your allergic to dog dander. I know Poodles don't shed, but they do have the dander like other dogs. Do your babies/baby sleep with you? Good luck!!

[sheryl 3]

I have asthma and I got broncitis about a month before my surgery. I went on Singular and I got a bad case of thrush (I can only be on Singular for 4-5 days max, or I get thrush)... I used my Albuterol faithfully until surgery day. The morning of my surgery, a lung specialist (don't know the name of the kind of doctor) came by my room and did a few breathing tests. He gave the approval that I can handle surgery. I also had the breathing thingy (you breath to move the balls to the top of the thingy) for before and after surgery. I was fine...

[NJGirl 0]

They had me take 40 mg of Prednisone before surgery. But other than that, I was fine.

[lovechunks 0]

You always start coughing when the a/c comes on? Could it be the filters need to be changed? Seriously, I have had asthma for 30 years and have taken or am taking ever drug ever known for asthma. Sometimes the answer is not more medication.

Also, please do a search on nasal irrigation. I have found a lot of nighttime coughing is brought on by postnasal drip.

As far as the surgery, if you need it, the anesthesiologist can put a little solumedrol in your drip to ease the breathing.

Best wishes!

[Poodles 0]

Well... I am suppose to be on singular and Zyrtec... but... I am a moron and need to get a refill. I have been taking claritin over the counter but guess I need to shell out the bucks for the good stuff. Will do that now.

Thanks for the heads up on the Singular being for both things. My son is on it, so that is good to know.

Since we don't know 100% sure what it is will tell surgeon what I think it is since my x-ray is clear.

Seems like I rattle when I walk from all my meds... sure hope this band

thing helps it.

Oh and lovechunks, hubby changed the filter about 3 weeks ago before we turned on the A/C for the first time, but will see if he will do it again for me.

Thanks all for the advice. Will go to CVS...

[Brian K. 0]

I'm no doctor, but have lived my whole life with severe allergies and asthma. I had many serious close calls with asthma. I can say with certainty that Advair 500, Singular and Rhinocort have changed my life. Everybody is different, but I don't get the usual bloody noses from the nasal inhalers. I can breath out of both sides of my nose, all day! No more nose twitching. I have a heart condition (bad arrhythmias) and high blood pressure to which none of it is affected by the allergy or asthma meds. I used to wake up in the morning with a hacky cough to clear some congestion, thats gone. I am the type of person that doesn't like to take medicine unless its really needed because of my heart and I have become such a believer of these meds for allergies and asthma I can easily recommend them.

[Poodles 0]

My hubby is on Rhinocort for his allergies. I did go pick up my Singular. Left the Zyrtec (my ins sucks, and I don't get paid until the 28th). Will see if Singular and claritin work. I am also going to do my breathing treatments like directed. I MUST get this under control before the 5th.