RE: Hydrocodone and increased AHI?
I think I have good news. Had 7.4 hours of good sleep at 5.2 AHI. Tried a new pain RX called diclofenac sodium. Minor pain.
I am closely monitoring the AHI, but seems to be OK. Is there anything else I should be watching?
I am hoping that I had some kind of unusual episodes and am back where I should be.
Tomorrow I go in for an "airways check". Something that they run on all apnea people and preop. I will mention the AHI problem and see what they think. They seem to be familiar with apnea and have asked me to bring the S9 when I have the surgery, as I will be asleep.
Don't know what kind of anesthesia they propose. Will keep you all informed.
Want to say again how much I appreciate your help these last few days. It is strange but comforting how close I feel to people here whom I have never met.
Still a little anxious about the surgery, but feel much better. A combination of your support, hopefully getting past some of the withdrawal symptoms, and a belief that the surgeon does these operations all the time and knows what he is doing.BUT I'll be watching and monitoring,
RE: Hydrocodone and increased AHI?
Preop for shoulder surgery yesterday Jan 9. Told me not to take any aspirin-type pain relievers. Thins the blood and makes surgery harder. Talked with the anesthesiologist and she is quite familiar with apnea. Mentioned the Cheyen Stokes patterns and she understood it quite well.
Told her about the 38 AHI and she said that often happened when taking narcotics (Hydrocodone-acetaminophen) , it would be temporary and not to worry.
Took 1/2 5/325 hydrocodone-acetaminophen last night. AHI at 3.7. Maybe I'll beat this high AHI. Monitoring carefully.
RE: Hydrocodone and increased AHI?
(01-10-2015, 09:12 PM)Dolla Bill Wrote: Preop for shoulder surgery yesterday Jan 9. Told me not to take any aspirin-type pain relievers. Thins the blood and makes surgery harder. Talked with the anesthesiologist and she is quite familiar with apnea. Mentioned the Cheyen Stokes patterns and she understood it quite well.
That includes Ibuprofen and Naproxen (aka Aleve); they are also NSAIDs and thin blood. One of the many things your anesthesiologist is responsible for controlling is blood clotting factors -- they use vitamin K to increase clotting; and warfarin to thin. (likely some other agents as well.)
Don't worry about it Bill, I'm sure you're in good hands; and you'll be polishing those Cadillacs in no time.
RE: Hydrocodone and increased AHI?
Possibly bad news, but check with you doctor (i.e., don't listen to me beyond checking).
Diclofenac is an NSAID that also thins blood and has been disallowed before and after both of my surgeries (1 week). (Though I didn't need it immediately after surgery due to improvements and narcotic pain meds following surgery.)
Diclofenac combined with my actual blood thinner (Xarelto) DID cause increased bleeding although nothing exciting or emergent.
Also, it's common to give a blood thinner in the days following surgery so ensure the prescribers know about the diclofenac.
BTW, diclofenac was highly effective on pain where other NSAIDs proved ineffective. (E.g., Hip prior to surgery.)
Sweet Dreams,
HerbM
Sleep study AHI: 49 RDI: 60 -- APAP 10-11 w/AHI: 1.5 avg for 7-days (up due likely to hip replacement recovery)
"We can all breathe together or we will all suffocate alone."
RE: Hydrocodone and increased AHI?
Been a few days since surgery and thought I would update. Coming home from the surgery was a breeze. My wife drove while I mostly slept.
I think it may be appropriate to start another thread more focused on surgery recovery. I will link to here.
RE: Hydrocodone and increased AHI?
(01-05-2015, 09:25 AM)justMongo Wrote: Hi Bill:
Hydrocodone is a synthetic opioid. Well known to suppress central respiratory drive.
I see your apneas are central, so, I feel fairly sure it's the Norco.
Can you manage without the Norco? I don't know of a pain killer that will work as well, and not have the same effect of respiration.
I guess another alternative is to temporarily switch to an ASV machine which is used to treat people with central apnea.
Kindest regards,
Mongo
6 joint surgeries & chronic pain, have been taking Norco (Vicodin) for years with no problem.
I have mixed apnea with central about 90% cause, I don't see any link between central apnea and norco. Central is clearly neurological.
To save pills for day, I usually only take 1 (10/325) at night and then drop 2-3 when I wake-up to get pain under control.
I've had very serious trouble with over the counter sleep aids. Some are actually contraindicated for apnea.
So as much as I don't like Zolpidem, I have to take some to get even 3-4 hours of sleep.