spinal injection

[NannyPat1]

Hi all,

Since my HA nearly 2 years ago I’ve had appendicitis twice and had it out the second time. Now I’ve got a trapped nerve in my spine and need a cortisone injection which consultant wants to do under a general anaesthetic. He wants me to stop my aspirin for 5 days before which I didn’t do before my Appendicectomy, I only had to stop it the day of the op (to be fair I couldn’t have waited 5 days probably). I’m scared doing without my aspirin could trigger something. Has anyone else had to stop aspirin for this long?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

When I had revision surgery a year ago I was asked to take my usual medication on the day (before 6:00) with the exception of Lisinopril, and to stop the 75mg Aspirin for 5 days. As I take the Aspirin to reduce the risk of clots in my heart and also the other leg I queried this, and after a conflab they came back and I took it throughout. I also had a spinal injection having an epidural injection rather than general anesthesia. I would ask your cardiologist for their opinion as I find many consultants consider only the specific problem and not the whole person. My cardiac surgeon and the consultant in rehab after amputation had a holistic approach but most others had tunnel vision.

[10gingercats in reply to MichaelJH]

It is also worth pointing out that epidurals are become more common when gen. anaesthetic is less safe or even inadvisable. But you may need to ask and provoke a discussion rather than wait for the surgeon to suggest it.

[NannyPat1 in reply to 10gingercats]

I’ll try but although good, he doesn’t seem too flexible in his approach!

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to 10gingercats]

An anesthetist I know prefers generals as the patient doesn't talk! I chatted with the surgeon who put in the plate and screws to repair my femur and he chuckled when I said "This seems a bit DIY" when he drilled and screwed to retain the plates holding things together. He was a great guy as he came in the next day, a Sunday, to check up on me (and avoid the supermarket shop 😬).

[BeKind28-]

Hello

I am sorry to hear you now have to have this done but hopefully it will help with this condition

Stopping Aspirin 5 days will not harm you I have stopped it for longer to see ot Aspirin was causing some stomach issues I have and remember they know all your history so if they thought it was not safe to stop it then they would have come up with something else instead

Try not to worry easier said than done I know and let us know how the procedure goes I hope it really helps you x

[NannyPat1 in reply to BeKind28-]

thank you BeKind, that is really reassuring to know you’ve stopped it before and it’s been ok. I’m just really anxious about the whole thing but have to have it as I can barely walk at the mo! I’ll let you know how it goes …

[BeKind28- in reply to NannyPat1]

Hello

I can understand how you will be feeling anxious but try and put the anxiety over the Aspirin down and concentrate on getting this done and think of how much better you will feel

Try and stay positive everything will be ok x

[NannyPat1 in reply to BeKind28-]

thank you, you really do live up to your name

[BeKind28- in reply to NannyPat1]

x

[FoxyHome]

Hi,

I am due to have a procedure to correct my drooping eye lid.It will require a local anaesthetic. My surgeon wrote to the interventionist cardiologists who inserted my stent 20 months ago.His response was as follows ' I am afraid we do not advocate stopping asprin even on a temporary basis because of the risk of stent thrombosis with potentially dire consequences '.

Very scary.I have not yet met with my ocular surgeon .I have read several medical research articles the most recent being a

German one.They suggest that there is no more bleeding with those who are taking the asprin during surgical procedures.All very confusing.

All the best with your injection

[NannyPat1 in reply to FoxyHome]

well my surgeon won’t do procedure unless I stopped aspirin. I spoke to GP and anaesthetist and BHF and all said it’s standard procedure. Maybe it’s about where you bleed? Anaesthetist said couldn’t risk bleeding round spine and that up to 7 days you’d still have some residual aspirin in your system. As I can’t walk more than 20 metres at the mo I’m just going to have to risk it!

[NannyPat1 in reply to NannyPat1]

also when I had appendicectomy in October so just 14 months after HA I only had to stop it on the day of op