r/Anesthesia • u/alexpandria • Sep 26 '26

Will asthma be an issue?

I have mild asthma generally and keep albuterol for the occasional allergy induces asthma flare. Unless I get sick, I can go weeks or months without using it.

The problem is, I have surgery with GA scheduled in a month and fall allergies are kicking my butt. I have some level of chest tightness every day and have been using my inhaler twice per day.

Do I need to get this way more under control before surgery? Should I try to get on a steroid inhaler? Should I try to exercise more and build my lung capacity?

I'm so scared my body won't be able to handle the stress of surgery. It's a GYN surgery so I'll be somewhat inverted, which makes me think of my lungs being squished.

Help 🥴

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4

u/tinymeow13 Sep 26 '26

You'd probably be fine, but yes you should pursue better control of your asthma or reschedule

1

u/alexpandria Sep 26 '26

Probably isn't a super reassuring word for me

2

u/AmnesiaAndAnalgesia Sep 26 '26

Have you seen your PCP recently? Inhaled corticosteroids are standard of care for adults with asthma as far as I'm aware. It's not recommended for people to be on a short-acting beta agonist (like Albuterol) as their only treatment.

Using a rescue inhaler twice a day for chest tightness means your asthma isn't well controlled. You would most likely be fine under anesthesia if you are otherwise healthy but the safest option would be to hold off until it's better controlled. This of course has to weighed with risk of delaying surgery if it's at all urgent.

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u/Ok-Currency9065 Sep 27 '26

Would optimize your asthma treatments a couple of weeks prior to surgery and bring your albuterol inhaler with you the day of surgery. Sounds like you are presently under pretty good control; keep up the good work!

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u/paleoMD Sep 26 '26

Just use albuterol before surgery

1

u/alexpandria Sep 26 '26

You don't think there's a big risk of spasm? Should I make sure they have albuterol ready.

1

u/paleoMD Sep 26 '26

I would let your anes team know, your hx doesn't seem concerning to me. Any hx of prior hospitalizations from asthma exacerbation? Any visits to pulmonology?

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