medications and surgery

I am on various medications, that I take on an "as needed" basis because of anxiety and insomnia and am having a re-op in 6 days. Im trying not to take them in the run up to my surgery, but its so difficult, and am wondering what ones I should definitely avoid and which ones should i try to, but its not the end of the world if i dont (if there is any in that category)

I have fluanxol (which was the only one i was on last time and surgeon said it was fine) - i take this either every day or every few days, trying to take it less and less
Temazepam (10mg)
zolpidem (10mg)

I also very occasionally take amitryptaline 10mg or a beta blocker (propanolol 80mg), but not often as they dont really help me sleep.

I also occasionally smoke cannabis to help me sleep, but not often

Out of any of them are there any i should definitely avoid in the run up to surgery or any that are ok safety wise? Or do i have to resign myself to no sleep for the next week?

if you or anyone else can help, please let me know

xx

Hi abbie, you have my sympathy as I also suffer from insomnia, however I don't take any medications for it as I didn't want to go down that road. I would suggest you send an email to your surgeon about what to do with the medications which you take as only he will know the type of anaesthetics which they will be using and hence contraindications of medicines which can be used and those which are definitely no-noes.
Much better to know now than to risk possible complications in the operating theatre.
xx

yeah i think ill give the nurse a call and ask her to ask mr sojitra

i just get it so badly. I often just lie there awake the whole night long if i dont take anything, and with 3 children, 2 with special needs, i really need to be able to function and after a night of no sleep I just cant, im a mess. :(

Sorry, I wasn't criticising you in any way, shape or form hun - my lifestyle is completely different than yours and I don't have those responsibilities. So, if I feel tired of an afternoon and don't have any appointments booked in, I can just take myself off and have a nap for an hour.
Sorry if you thought I was criticising you, I really, really wasn't
xx

I didnt think you were criticising me at all xx
I was just explaining myself further.

Ive called mybreast now and hopefully the nurse or mr sojitra will call me back

ive just had Lara the nurse call me back and she said any of those medications are fine to take and none of them are contraindicated. As long as i dont smoke and dont drink alcohol or take aspirin etc, the rest should be absolutely fine.

Im so relieved!! I really struggle without

Hello Abbie
Insomnia is terrible sometimes and with the added stress of a forthcoming operation it can obviously be made worse. The medications that you list should all be ok in the lead up to surgery but I wouldn't advise the canabis if you can manage without it. The important thing is that you tell the anaesthatist what you have taken over the last few days so he or she can take this into account with your anaesthetic. None of the mentioned drugs should have an effect on you surgery / risk of bleeding or healing. Good luck with your surgery ! John Pereira Consultant PS

Thankyou John.

Ive been trying to take as little as possible, although have needed a beta blocker today as my surgery is tommorow and i had a panic attack earlier, but ill be sure to tell the anasthetist tommorow