Plavix and Lumbar Fusion

[RJF614]

Hello, I had 3 medicated stents in 2005, and then 2 more the next year due to late thrombosis. I am on Plavix and my nuerosurgeon says I need fusion surgery for my back. However, he will not do the surgery until I come off of Plavix for 6 weeks to make sure platlets are sticky again. However, I did have the stents close up last time off of Plavix. My family Dr says they can use laviquin? However Nuerosurgeon says it is not the same as Plavix.  I would have to stop working if I cannot have the surgery, pain is too much. Thank you in advance for your help.

RJF614

[RJF614]

Thanks Ken, I appreciate the information. The 2 percent does not seem too high of a risk, unless you are my wife who has watched mine close up twice in a matter of days and I almost didn't make it(Had Emergency room Dr send me home). I wish they had a calculator that you could assess surgical risks such as these. 60 percent chance of successful fusion, with a 2 percent chance of restenosis, or open heart. I am going to meet with my cardiologist to discuss the plavix issue and see what he says. I guess the other question I will need to see is what are employer's disability groups going to have to say if we decide no surgery at this time. Have a nice day, hope you are doing well yourself!!

[kenkeith]

Medicated stents have a tendency to occlude up to about a year.  After that length of time it is generally believed to discontinue plavix but remain on aspirin.  Although plavix and aspirin are anti-platelet agents, plavix has a different mechanism of action that seems to be specialized for drug eluding stent to prevent restenosis.

Laviquin is an antibiotic medication! and there is a class-action suit against Laviqiin providers that is currently unresolved. The surgeon doesn't want to risk excessive bleeding, and you may have to decide whether it is worth the risk of vessel restenosis (usually about 2% probability) for relief of the pain associated with your lumbar.