Pain Meds Pre-Surgery? Advice, Please
 

Hi, I have suffered from severe migraines for over 15 years. Some days are better than others, so my meds vary.

I need to have surgery for a problem completely unrelated to my migraines. I'll be going under general anesthesia.

The hospital that I'm going to is extremely disorganized. I've seen about 6 different nurses, and have gone over my medication and health history several times, with several different people. Unfortunately, there seems to be a severe LACK of communication at this hospital! So frustrating.

So, I just wanted to ASK: Is it okay to take 2 Fioricet with Codeine on the MORNING of surgery? I was told it was "fine" by a pre-surgery nurse, but I want to be totally sure. Alternately, I may take 2 Tylenol with Codeine on the MORNING of surgery (also "fine" with the nurse). Maybe Tylenol with Codeine would be better, since Fioricet contains butalbital?

I'll also be taking 10 mg. Valium on the MORNING of surgery. I took this before my previous 3 surgeries (15 years ago) so I know Valium is okay to take.

Does anyone know if it's okay to take PAIN MEDS before surgery? Fioricet with Codeine works better for my migraines, but if Tylenol with Codeine might be safer to take before going under, then I'll take that instead.

Thanks in advance for any advice! Surgery is only a couple of days away---I'm getting scared. I HOPE they know what they're doing at this hospital---it is disorganized beyond belief!

Thanks,
Eva

there should
 

be a doctor doing the anesthesia.
That is the person who you should discuss this.

I would not take anything without someone's approval
before surgery...they may be going to use valium for all you
know, and you will be overdosed if you take it yourself.

opiates + benzos also suppress the breathing reflex....so you should ask!
Better safe than sorry.

Yes, I WISH I could talk to the anesthesiologist. I won't be seeing him or her until the day of surgery.

I DID talk with the pre-surgery nurse practitioner about all of this. She said I could take 10 mg. Valium AND opiates for migraine, if needed. She must know what she's talking about, I would hope?

I've filled out several forms listing the meds that I take. I've talked this over with several nurses who work in the surgeon's practice. (They barely give me ANY time with the surgeon, so it's quite frustrating.)

I've never before been to a hospital that was so CHAOTIC. It really is scary. (I definitely want to be "safe" rather than "sorry"---believe me!).

One thing to note is that I'll be taking my meds at about 6:30 am, and surgery is not until noon. My meds only last 4 hours, so anything I take should have worn off by noon. (I've ASKED about any lingering effects, but the nurses KEEP telling me that I have NOTHING to worry about). That must be true, because they wouldn't want me to DIE at their hospital---at least I hope not!

I truly cannot believe the CHAOS at this hospital. That's what scares me. I have no idea IF I'm worrying unnecessarily, OR if I may have CAUSE to worry. Either way, it's SCARY enough just to have to have this AWFUL surgery.

Thanks for your reply.

Eva

I am a "pain in the butt" surgical patient. I have my SO take a laundry marker and write on my forehead that I am allergic to pennicillian. Someone overlooked that once and darn near killed me.

I write out all of my meds and what I had taken that day and pin it to my sheet in the holding area. I don't care what I have told the nurses. If I haven't spoken to the anesthesiologist that day, I don't give up my list until I see him.

If you have had Vallium at home within six hours of them "preopping" you, chances are you will not get anymore when you get there. Your surgery can often be delayed due to all sorts of variables. If you get really anxious or uncomfortable ask to speak with the anesthesiologist at his/her convenience. Keep asking, quietly but firmly. ;) I have found them to be very compassionate and there is a practical reason for them to keep the patients in the holding pattern quiet and calm. :D

The holding areas are notoriously cold and the blankets are paper thin. I always take a polar fleece robe with me and refuse to give it up until they put me out. That's when they find out that I am wearing polar fleece boxers too. Age has it's priviledge. Best wishes.