Hey everyone....I have to go in for an outpatient surgery on the 30th and I'm concerned. I'm having laparoscopy done, my doc thinks I might have endometriosis... anyways I haven't been able to sleep, therefore my seizures (that were finely becoming under control!!!! :o ) are now out of control!!!! :eek: I'm stressed, exhausted.....

My concern is going under anethesia... and then someone cutting on me while I could go into a seizure..... everyone who is going to be in the room talked to me, reassured me they would know what to do if I were to go into one, but I'm still really bothered by this! I really need this surgery, I WANT this procedure done, so I don't understand why its bothering me so bad!!??

Any ideas how I can make myself feel better???

Lisa T

Hi Lisa!

First thing we were told with the anesthesia is that it acts as a type of "anticonvulsant" during surgery. I would ask what type of anesthesia will be used and if it will also act like that. Katie had a seizure Sunday night at 9:45 pm, just before going to bed, 8 hours before surgery. I said, "GREAT!" I was feeling more nervous about that than the surgery. But I remembered what they had told me about the anesthesia.

Katie was fine and they operated on the brain, I'm sure you'll do well with your procedure. None the less, I "understand" how you might feel. Have you ever been put under general an. before? I haven't. Doctors are very good at what they do now, especially in this area. They monitor things constantly.

Try some soothing music (if your radio/stereo has a timer), read a relaxing book before bed, or talk to your doctor about using Melatonin. Katie uses Melatonin before bed. She has a very active mind and thinks things to pieces sometimes. The Epi said to use it as she/we prepared for surgery. She has used it since October 2003. There are days where she doesn't take it also. But does use it more often than not. It's not suppose to be addictive either.
Otherwise there is Tylenol PM which has the same type of ingredient as in Benadryl. Takes the edge off and makes you sleepy. My grandma (91) has used this for "sleepless" nights and has been fine with it. She lives on her own yet and had a heart attack at the age of 89 and takes many heart meds and the cardiologist said the Tylenol PM was ok. Check with your doc first though, AEDs could be different. But Katie has used Benedryl for allergies before.

Hang in there...if you want and know that this should be done, have faith in your doctors, then try to think as positively as possible...deep breathing and nice relaxing music...

I'll be praying for a quick and safe procedure... :angel:

Vicki

You just got me over it Vicki!!! There is no way Katie and I should be compared. She went thru MAJOR surgury, mine is out patient.....


The reason I can't sleep is from the pain, they have given me different types of pain medications but nothing has helped. The most sleep I get a night is about three hours and never in a row! My seizures are feeding off this!!!!! :nono:

Thanks for making me look at the bigger picture, even though I know that wasn't your intention!!!!!!!! ;) Give Katie a big hug for me!! :wave:

Lisa

Hey Lisa,

I know your off now, but I didn't know the lack of sleep was from pain...sorry to hear that. I'm sure that is where your seizures are coming from, the lack of good solid sleep. You need to have the prcedure done if you are in that much pain. A client of ours has endo. and has had it for many years. I know she has her good days and her bad days. She is in her mid 50's and is a bubbly and wonderful person to be around!

Did you know the endo. national offices are here in the Milwaukee area? I think it's in Brown Deer. About 15 minutes from here. I use to drive past the building all the time. I know that was a bit of info you needed right? ;)

Thanks for your continued support and we will lift you up as high as we can! :angel:

To restful nights...and I will pass the hug on to Katie, she's a hugger! ;)

Vicki

hi lisa,

first off let me tell you im sorry you have to go thru the pain of endo. my sister had it and had the same surgery you are having, and as well my sister in law. she has it probably as bad as your describing. they both decided to have it done becasue the doctors pretty much told them if they didnt they would have no chance to have children and if they wanted to to have them now. my sister has a 4 year old and sis in law 1 year old. i know they are in constant pain.

second of all, i can understant your worry. even though i dont have the siezures i agree with vicki. you need your sleep. and as far as the tylonol PM. those are my happy little pills before bed. lol. i cant sleep either. i dont know if my system is just on the mother mode or not. i have always been like that since i had kids, and they seem to work for me. but as far as the pain, i dont know if it will work with your pain or not, but it sure knocks me out. lol. i still get up but not as much.

i would just express you conserns to the doctor and let them do thier job. im sure if it would be harmful to your siezure health they wouldnt be doing the surgery. just keep your head up and just keep thinking that when it is done and over with you should be able to sleep, because it the endo will be taken care of. did they say if they did find it they would take it out while they were in there? good luck and let us know how it goes. take care. :)

Hi Lisa,

Girl, I can so relate to your fear... Jake has never had surgery, but he is put under for his MRIs and it's just this dread inside, especially if he is at the hospital (I know how strange is that?) - they wont allow us in with him. At least at the clinic we are allowed in next to the machine to watch him. Yes, Vicki, thank you for sharing the big picture on that one. I'll be able to go in easier next time around.

Do you do Yoga at all? There are a couple of poses that might help with the pain a bit if you do. You could try it even if you don't practice yoga daily, just to see. Jenny and I use this to ease cramping during AFs visit.

First turn on that music Vicki was talking about, light a good smelling candle and dim the lights if you can.

Lay flat on your back, with your hands flat on the floor and about 6 inches from your body, slowly bend your knees bringing them closer to you. Your feet should be flat on the floor, shoulder width apart and about 12 - 18 inches from your torso. When you reach comfortable distance take 4 to 8 deep breaths in through the nose, out through the mouth. Slowly raise your tailbone and then your back up off the floor very slowly until you reach about a 45-degree angle. Hold this pose for 2 to 10 minutes, and then slowly lower your back to the floor one vertebrae at a time. Repeat up to 4 times. Remember to take those deep breaths between each set.

You can also lay on your back next to a wall. Move your tailbone up to the wall until it's touching, with your knees bent and facing 45 degrees to either side. Slowly swing your legs up the wall until they are fully extended. Your arms should be in the same position as above. Hold this pose for up to 10 minutes, taking deep cleansing breaths during the whole set.

These are both pretty easy and shouldn't be a problem even if you don't work out at all. But, since you are in full seizure mode you might want to be sure someone is around when you try these... just in case? ;)

When I do this, I try and focus my mind to a single thought as far from my point of stress as possible. There are times that all I can come up with is a color and that seems to work just as well... Blue, the color of the sky, of deep ocean seas - purple, the color of cotton candy, of clouds just after sunset, my favorite dress from 2nd grand... and picture those things in my head. I know it might sound hokey, but it works for me!

Keep us posted. You will be in my thoughts, prayers and meditations (as always) :) Be sure you have family there with you - that might ease some of that fear as well, just knowing someone who has your history can lend you strength!

(((HUGS)))

Love and light,

Lisa and kids

You will do just fine. The anesthesiologist or the nurse-anesthetist will come and speak to you prior to surgery. Their purpose is to ask if you've ever had a reaction to anesthetics, and also to gage the weight of the patient (they don't tell you that part ;-) That will be the perfect time for you to tell them of your anxiety and make sure that they know you have E. Good luck!!

You guys are so great :) !!!!

Art... I have actually already talked with her.. hospital likes to have paperwork done ahead of time and when they caught wind of the seizures, they called down the head person to talk to me!

I have calmed down alot since yesterday... and I'm sure tomorrow I'll feel even calmer.

gagcas... my doc said if I wasn't coated he would take it out and possibly my right ovary and tubes, if I'm a mess, he will stop and we will have to scheadule a hysteremy(sp) later due to insurance. But we aren't 100% sure its endo.. he's only going by my symptoms no evidence.

LisaG.... Hey Girl Yoga....I've always wanted to try it, but never knew where to begin... thanks for the tips.

Vicki :cool: .... thanks for your thoughts


Thanks again guys!!!!!!!!!!