Medications and surgery

[Brandy~ 2]

Ok my doctor hasn't mentioned it to me yet... But in my consultation he mentioned that I would have to quit taking a couple medicines a month before the surgery...

My major concern without going into alot of detail is I take birth control to control periods.... I don't need if for any other reason since I have my tubes tied... However, without the medicine I am almost home bound with periods that are so heavy and never ending that they are disabling. Has anyone else been in my shoes? If you don't stop the medicine what happens?

I should add last time I went without the medicine my period was 16 days straight.

[TerriDoodle 6]

Well, this is something you definitely need to discuss with each of the doctors...the surgeon and the doctor that prescribed the medication.

I have not ever heard of anyone being required to get off of their birth control before surgery. However, it would be a big risk to not disclose to your surgeon every medication you are taking before surgery... I hope that is not what you are implying!

[Elisabethsew 50]

Hi Brandy,

As you likely are already aware, birth control pills predispose women to blood clots. This risk is increased in women who are obese, over 35, and smoke. Rather than stopping the medication, ask your surgeon about administering lovenox or another anticoagulant prior to surgery and for a few days afterwards. I have not heard of having to stop birth control pills but different MDs have different policies on what they want and don't. Be sure to tell your surgeon what happens if you stop the med. You might also want to have your OB/GYN write or call the surgeon. Let us know what the outcome is.

[Daisalana 33]

I was just like you!

I have been on B/C since I was 14 to regulate my periods.

If I am NOT on b/c I will bleed MASSIVE amounts, never ending. I went 6 months once (before they put me on b/c).

I was told to stop taking it for surgery, 1 month pre-op. They knew why I was on it. So 2 days later, it began. Bled like nuts. Day of surgery I was still bleeding bad, asked them what to do (since I was having to be naked), they said don't worry about it. When I woke up from surgery they had taped a huge pad to me and put towels under me.

It took about 2 months to get re-regulated on the b/c, but it happened.

Mine is dibilitating in the sense that, a tampon & overnight pad would not contain me for more than an hour.

But, it is important, due to what was mentioned above.. Blood clots are serious. So you need to talk to your doc, but it sounds just like me and I had to do it.

[Brandy~ 2]

I was just like you!

I have been on B/C since I was 14 to regulate my periods.

If I am NOT on b/c I will bleed MASSIVE amounts, never ending. I went 6 months once (before they put me on b/c).

I was told to stop taking it for surgery, 1 month pre-op. They knew why I was on it. So 2 days later, it began. Bled like nuts. Day of surgery I was still bleeding bad, asked them what to do (since I was having to be naked), they said don't worry about it. When I woke up from surgery they had taped a huge pad to me and put towels under me.

It took about 2 months to get re-regulated on the b/c, but it happened.

Mine is dibilitating in the sense that, a tampon & overnight pad would not contain me for more than an hour.

But, it is important, due to what was mentioned above.. Blood clots are serious. So you need to talk to your doc, but it sounds just like me and I had to do it.

Yes thats exactly what it's like without it... I really could possibly lose my job if I have to go without it. I will have to call into work constantly because of it and I have to always carry extra clothes it's a horrible thing.

[annesan 0]

I have to stop 1 month prior to avoid blood clots. It is for our own saftey. We have to do what we have to do. Good luck,maybe they will let you stay on it if you have a low chance of blood clots.

[jaria007 2]

I actually had a blood clot form in November 07 due to birth control and it traveled to my lung. NOT FUN. I also took b/c because of very heavy and painful periods. My ob/gyn now prescribes me naproxen which helps miraculously with the pain. I have to admit, though, the bleeding can be a pain. Just imagine, I ALREADY had bad periods and now it is compounded by the blood thinners I have to take for a year due to the pulmonary embolism. I definitely advise you to go with doctors orders. See if you can take something else to control the pain. You might also want to see if your ob/gyn can get you protected under the law...you could file for disability due to your heavy bleeding and go on intermitent leave which means you get a certain amount of total hours that you can take off due to your disability and not get fired for it.

[WyominGirl 1]

Add me to the list! Mine told me the benefits (being blood clot free) far outweigh the risks (continuous period)....so here I am due for surgery Tuesday and due for my TOM Wednesday. Ugh. He also says no BC pills for 30 days post op as well.