Stopping Meds Before Surgery

[sheila53213]

I'm currently taking amitryptyline and am wondering if I need to stop taking it before surgery? has anyone had to do this? And if so, how long before hand is it necessary? I had emailed Renee at the Wi Chiari Center and she says the nurses from the hospital would know this. I just don't want to go in the day of my surgery and then be told that I can't have it done yet due to a medication I am on.

Sheila

[*Stormy*]

HI Sheila

I was told to stop taking the vitamins that I was on but that I could continue taking my Thyroid meds. I would definitely check with someone who can give you an answer ASAP! I think the concern is that some meds will thin your blood and they don't want that risk during surgery. Amitriptyline is a type of antidepressant and very likely could do that so I would check it out. I am surprised that no one gave this information to you?

For the same purposes, I was told to avoid Ibuprofen and Aspirin too.

Carolyn

[rod44]

Hi Sheila, I would check again with the NS or your GP, amitryptyline WD can be nasty, you should only stop under doctor supervision.

http://pointofreturn.com/amitriptyline_withdrawal.html

Ray

[selmaS]

Hi...I was told 2 weeks prior to surgery to taper off meds....so u would have to start b4 2 weeks depending on the med...all that info was given to me when the surgery was scheduled....not sure how Dr H handles it, I am sure Lizzy, or Shannon can offer some insight to how they do things up there.

I was even told not to take my multi vitamins...thyroid meds...gerd meds...ect...

Good Luck
"selma"