Holding arthritis medication preop

[KathyM 14]

Hi -

I am taking Indocin SR 75mg once a day for arthritis. I had a total knee replacement 2 years ago and am a nurse in a busy ER and I am on my feet for 12hr shifts. I am a little apprehensive about not taking the Indocin for a week before my surgery because I think I will hardly be able to get through work if I don't. When I had my knee replacement, the ortho doc made me stop taking it two days before surgery, but he wasn' operating on my stomach. I know it is ultimately up to my surgeon and when the date gets closer, I will ask him. Would just be interested to know your thoughts on this and whether postoperatively there would be any increased risk of stomach erosion or bleed taking the indocin right away.

Thanks

Kathy

[KathyM 14]

ok i feel silly now, is this not the place to ask that question?

[Dr. Jossart 2]

The general rule is to stop it one week prior to surgery and try to avoid restarting it for a week or so afterwards. Additional narcotics can be used to help with the pain.

[jerryvic 3]

Dr. Jossart, if I understand you correctly, and I hope I do, is that NSAIDS are safe to resume after a week or so. I had terrible gouty arthritis about 5 days after surgery. I tried to tough it out, finally I got prescribed steroids for 1 week, it helped but only when I restarted my meloxicam did I finally got resolution. I have been on meloxicam or seldane for years. Is there a NSAID available that is less prone to cause stomach problems, ie ulcers?

[Dr. Jossart 2]

Most surgeons ask their patients to stop anti-inflammatory medications 1-2 weeks before surgery. The occurrence of ulcers with the VSG is rare and it is usually safe to take anti-inflammatory medications(intermittently, not every day) once the stomach is healed(usually 2-4 weeks).