POTS and having surgery

[dmolina]

I am having surgery tomorrow. I am worried about how it will affect my POTS. Hopefully it doesn't get worst. If anyone has had surgery since being diagnosed, can you please let me know if you had an increase in symptoms afterward. Did they give you different medication to put you under? Did they have a hard time waking you up afterward? Any info will help.

[LivingInHope]

So glad you were able to let the anesthesiologist know on time!  I'm glad you made it through the surgery!  Take it slow!

[dmolina]

Thank you everyone for the postI did let my anesthesiologist know. They gave me extra fluids and watched my heart rate. It did take me a little longer to wake up but not too much longer. Everything seems alright now thou. Just extra tired and sore.

[CHRISTYDRAKE]

My son didn't have surgery, but he was put out for a colonoscopy in October.  We let the anesthesiologist know he had POTS, and the anesthesiologist then told us what he needed to do differently for him.  He immediately turned up the IV, he said my son needed to be very hydrated.  He also told us that sometimes the heart rate will drop during the procedure and what they would do if it did.  My son's heart rate went down to 20 during the procedure, so they stopped until he restabilized.  This was all done in Cleveland though, where POTS is so well known.  Make sure you discuss with your anesthesiologist.  Everything will go fine!

[LivingInHope]

I've had surgery since being diagnosed.  The longest time I was under anesthesia since being diagnosed was for my hysterectomy.  POTS is something you should make sure your anesthesiologist is aware that you have prior to getting anesthesia.  If you haven't already met with him/her, you should see them prior to the surgery & be sure and tell them.  My pulse and blood pressure were up after my hysterectomy, but they went higher still because they had to give me benadryl for a reaction I was having to pain medication they gave me post surgery (itchy face).  Thankfully, my internal med doctor had had me make sure they had some labetolol on hand and they gave me a very small amount in the recovery room and that got my BP and pulse down to where it was much better.  I don't think you need to worry about the waking up part as long as you have a skilled anesthesiologist... and if your a Christian, prayer is a good thing too!