To consider cancelling op due to chest problems?

[nothingevergoesright]

I'm due a major operation in two weeks. It's for quality of life and mobility (I guess the mobility will bring physical health benefits too).

I had the pre-op at the start of the summer holidays, so quite a while ago.

Since then I had a chest infection a month ago and was on high dose oral steroids and antibiotics.

I have quite severe asthma so this isn't unusual for me, particularly in autumn/winter.

I've mentioned countless times to my GP that I have a popping in my throat when lying down (like popping candy). This causes me to cough. I also have nasal polyps, so am on both steroid inhalers and also steroid nasal spray. The nasal spray keeps causing sores and bleeding, so I keep on stopping it.

The popping has worsened considerably. I now have wheezing as well and have phlegm in my throat when I lie down (now happening for hours after wake too), and the phlegm is very thick and green, but turns dark brown in the morning.

I've spoken to two nurses at my GP practice in the last week (they've contacted me), one wanted me to be seen by a respiratory consultant, the other asked for me to be booked in for urgent appointment. There is still nothing on my notes and when I phone there is just a message saying that they are at safe capacity limit and cannot book any appointments.

I've phoned the pre-op at the hospital, who've said they will not do an anaesthetic if I have a cough, so it needs sorting urgently. They were going to phone the surgery, but they will have got the same automated message saying there is no capacity for anyone.

So I don't know what to do. If I have the operation DH will have to take annual leave to take me, but doesn't want to book it in case I don't have it, as he then won't have any left to take me in the future.

I am scared as I know that my chest isn't right and the operation is pretty major. We have a DD who will also need DH around.

How long do I wait before deciding it's not safe?

Anyone?

Get some antibiotics (use 111 if you have to).
Then see how you feel in a few days' time. You'll know by then if the antibiotics are helping, and can decide accordingly.

Can you ask for another pre op assessment and can you ring for an emergency appointment with your gp to discuss this . The other thing is if you do go in for your operation they will check you again before they do it and if they don’t think you are suitable they won’t do it. So yes it would be a waste of time going to hospital but they won’t just cut you open etc without checking your blood pressure and sats so tell them again then

I get that sometimes - The popping candy thing.
It's my athsma & goes away once I take my inhaler.

Ask for a peak flow meter so you can check your levels at home.

I had a problem with a nasal steroid inhaler - it was like the skin inside my nose was being ripped out every time I used it, so I asked to change (from Beconase to Nasonex) & it's not painful to use at all.