Question:
Are there any out there that had surgery post-poned because of asthma?

well its like this...on monday july 9th I was in the O.R. and put under..when they started to put the breathing tub down my throat I had an acute..asmtha attack..I was sick the week b4 and there was wheezing..in my lungs but didnt think it would come to that...I was just wondering if this has happen to ne one else and if so how long was it b4 u were able to have surgery...it was very heartbreaking to wake up in ICU and told that your surgery didnt take place...I'am very depressed now and scared that it won't happen...HELP...!!!    — Adrena A. (posted on July 13, 2001)

July 14, 2001
HI! I'm sorry to hear that your surgery was postponed because of an asthma attack, but you realize, of course, that the anesthesia could have been fatal for you. That is one disadvantage to having surgery when you have severe asthma. I have(had)SEVERE asthma for many years, and I also got sick about 10 days before surgery. I was terrified, because the anesthesiologist had already told me they would not do the surgery if I was wheezing, coughing, had a fever, or if my peak flows were too low. I was so nervous when I started wheezing, but my PCP just increased my steroids (I've been steroid dependent for years)enough to get me to stop wheezing, then he and the surgeon decided to give me IV steroids right before and during the surgery so that I wouldn't have any problems. It worked, because I stayed healthy enough to have the surgery and I had no problems during or after the surgery. (THIS IS JUST MY OPINION, NOT MEDICAL ADVICE! TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR:)If you have taken steroids in the past, you may want to consider taking them for 7-10 days prior to surgery, just to prevent an acute attack beforehand. If you have never taken steroids and have frequent accute attacks, maybe you could ask your doctor (PCP) about prednisone. If you want to chat or ask questions about my experience, please feel free to email me: [email protected] Maria
   — Maria H.