Malignant hyperthermia

[suez383 1]

Ok, so I am hopefully going to be sleeved in September and yesterday I went for my endoscopy. Everything went well, but the Anesthesiaologist asked me a bunch of questions about my and my family's surgical history. I never had any type of surgery before, but I remember 15 years ago, my mom who was very sick with stage 4 cancer went in for a hip replacement. It was a very long surgery and towards the end of it, her temp spiked which is a complication of anesthesia. They call it malignant hyperthermia. My anesthesiaologist did not look pleased and informed I needed to call the hospital where I will be having surgery and tell them. My surgery isn't even scheduled yet, but I see my surgeon next Friday at which point I will let him know what the anesthesiologist told me. Now I am starting to worry that I won't be allowed to have this surgery. I guess even though I am having co-morbidities it's still considered an elective. What if I get denied? What if my surgeon doesn't want to operate on me because of the risks? I did some research today on it, and I have a 50% chance of also having MH because it is hereditary. Also, the only way to check is to have a muscle biopsy done, but I don't know if it's covered under insurance and I can't afford it out of pocket. I mean, I did read that there are other type of anesthesia that you can have, but there is this one muscle relaxer/blocker that it looks like the only one around, which is imperative to abdominal surgery, but is a major set off for MH. I really want to have this surgery done, but of course am concerened that they will say for abdominal surgery, they have to use this one drug and without we can't do it. Does anyone have any insight on MH? ARe there any nurses on here that know anything about MH and if you can still have surgery??

Thanks so much for any help!

[Indymom 132]

Sorry, I don't know anything about it but I hope you find out good news when you talk with the surgeon. Hang in there!

[sugarmamma7 2]

Sweetie I don't know anything either, but I hope it all turns out ok. Sending hugs your way

[Mommyto2 1]

U can definitely still have the surgery. First of all insurance usually covers the biopsy. But still, the OR would have to be prepped accordingly, meaning u would probably be a first case. There are other meds that can be used; that's why it's so important to know and prevent the associated problems. U should definitely mention to your surgery so that u could have biopsy done if insurance covers and not have your surgery delayed.

[suez383 1]

U can definitely still have the surgery. First of all insurance usually covers the biopsy. But still, the OR would have to be prepped accordingly, meaning u would probably be a first case. There are other meds that can be used; that's why it's so important to know and prevent the associated problems. U should definitely mention to your surgery so that u could have biopsy done if insurance covers and not have your surgery delayed.

Thanks, I see my surgeon next Friday, so I will definately let him in on the new developments. I will see what his reccommendations are. Apparently, the genetic testing is not 100%, you could have it, but it doesn't show, or it will show you as positive when in fact you don't have it. I think the better way to go is to just avoid the triggering meds and just go in thinking I do have it and have them use different meds.

[Mommyto2 1]

That's what most do. Good luck!