Coming off Ramipril for Hernia operation

[tunybgur]

I have a hernia op in a few days but I'm worried about my Ramipril cough putting too much stress on my hernia repair for the first few weeks.

I've got used to holding my hernia in when I cough or sneeze, but I'm wondering if too much coughing straight after the op will affect the mesh and stitches which are used to repair the muscle separation.

I was on 7.5 mg Ramipril (2.5 am, 5.0 pm), I've decided to just take 2.5 in the evening to try and reduce my coughing. I have tried suppressing the cough but anyone who has experienced it knows that suppression is virtually impossible.

I can't get an appointment to discuss it with my doc for 2 weeks so I have decided on this course of action, is there anyone out there with medical knowledge who could comment/confirm my action is ok in the short term?

My BP is normally about 110/60 and resting pulse about 48, I'm 71 years old and in good shape since my HA 7 years ago.

I know there are alternatives to Ramipril but the cough was never severe enough for me to bother, but it's worrying me a bit now....

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

I would suggest you give the pre-op team a call in the morning to discuss. If they do not know the answer they will know someone who does. For a general anesthesic you usually come off ACE inhibitors for a day or two to avoid the risk of dangerously low BP during surgery. Hope it all goes well!

[tunybgur in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for the suggestion, my op is in 2 days so I've left it a bit late, but for a hernia I think it's just a local anesthetic, I don't want it cancelled, so I hope my actions will maybe stop the cough.

[Elle123456]

your cough might get surpressed anyway by any opiate medication you are given post op as thats what opiates do. But see your consultant and get your meds changed as you will be better off on the correct dose of something that doesn't make you cough

[tunybgur in reply to Elle123456]

My op is in 2 days so I've left it a bit late.....maybe a lesson to others to think ahead. I'll discuss it with the surgeon in pre-op and hopefully he will say there's nothing to worry about....