| Herbals and Your Surgery |
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With increasing interest in natural and herbal medications, it is important to watch out for the bad along with the good. It seems that there is increased risk for complications if you use herbs before your surgery. Here are EIGHT popular herbals that can really cause problems if you’re going under the knife. The recommendations provided about when to stop taking these herbals before surgery as only guidelines. They are based on limited information about something called a half-life, a measure of how long it takes your body to metabolize and eliminate the natural chemicals and byproducts from these herbal medications. Most surgeons would ask that you stop using these medications as long before surgery as possible. But here are the details...... Echinacea is very commonly used as an immune stimulant to prevent and treat early “colds”. But when used longer than 8 weeks, it can actually suppress your immune system. This could mean an easier chance of catching one of those mean bugs in the hospital while you’re trying to recover, and can also interfere with wound healing. Also, Echinacea can affect your liver, especially if you already have liver problems. When combined with surgical anesthesia medications, liver failure can result. For all these reasons, even a simple surgery can turn into a disaster just by taking this simple herbal medication. To reduce these complication risks, Echinacea should be discontinued at least several weeks before surgery. Ephedra, widely used as a weight loss supplement until it was banned in 2003, can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Fatal and near fatal events related to this were the reason it was banned. However, personal stockpiles are still out there and are doubly dangerous around the time of surgery. Ephedra, when used in combination with the common anesthesia gas Halothane, can lead to dangerous and life-threatening arrhythmias. In addition, other interaction with commonly used perioperative medications can lead to permanent heart damage and, in the worst case, coma. Ephedra should be discontinued at least 24 hours before surgery. Garlic is widely used to lower cholesterol, decrease the risk of blood clots and reduce blood pressure. The problem is that reduction in blood clot risk is accomplished by an effect on  platelets, something
you need to clot properly during and after surgery. So, while it is
doing its job it can lead to fatal uncontrolled bleeding. Stop using
Garlic at least 7 to 10 days prior to surgery. Ginko has long been used to improve memory, reduce atherosclerosis, treat erectile dysfunction, among other uses. There are several biochemical reasons for its effectiveness, one of which is inhibition of platelet function. Again, platelets are needed to help with blood clotting. Major complications and deaths have been reported. It is best to stop using Ginko at least 36 hours before surgery. Ginseng has multiple species which are used for medicinal treatment. The most commonly used are Asian and American Ginseng. A number of these ginsenosides have been labeled “adaptogens” because of their ability to help protect the body against stress and restore homeostasis (internal systems order). There is concern about reversible and irreversible effects on platelets, which can cause bleeding disasters. In addition, ginsenosides can lower blood glucose. Since there are multiple ginsenosides, a recommendation about when to stop them before surgery is difficult to make. However, at least a week is prudent. Kava, derived from the pepper plant Piper methysticum, is often used as a sedative and anxiety reducing agent. Since multiple sedatives are used around the time of surgery, additional sedation and interaction with these medications has led to coma. Kava should be discontinued at least a day or two before surgery. St John’s Wort, or Hypericum perforatum, is used by many for mild to moderate depression. It works by interfering with chemicals called neurotransmitters in your brain. It can also significantly increase the metabolism of many medications used around the time of surgery, reducing their effectiveness. These medications include lidocaine, midazolam hydrochloride,calcium channel blockers, serotonin receptor antagonists, steroids, digoxin and warfarin. While you many not be familiar with all or most of these, they are commonly used in routine care or for management of complications. St John’s Wort should be discontinued at least five days prior to surgery. Valerian is a sedative herbal, used in the treatment of insomnia. The more you take, the greater the effect. It also multiplies the effect of other sedatives routinely used around the time of surgery. Valerian withdrawal can be severe and further complicate surgical recovery. It is best to slowly reduce the dose of valerian if you have been taking it for a while to avoid withdrawal. If that is not possible because the surgery date is near, it may be best to continue valerian use and manage withdrawal as needed. Clearly, it is best to discuss use of herbal medications with your surgeon as soon as possible. Even the most innocent commonly used herbs can cause major problems. So, here’s a tip. Keep a running list of all medications that you take, prescription and natural. In the event of surgery you will run a lower risk of forgetting something critical.            |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 10 February 2008 ) |
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Removing ovaries to be safe - good idea????
0:00 - 20.11.2008
Dear AllA while ago I posted asking if US could DX ovca at early stage, and got SO MANY wonderful replies, for which I was extremely grateful.I've now gone on to have some investigative work done, and a detailed TVS has shown that I have a cyst on my right ovary which is not functional, but is almost 50:50 either benign or borderline.There doesn't seem to be any invasion of the ovary tissue from the cyst, and it is poorly vascularised, both of which I believe are optimistic signs. I read (on an Internet search) that around 7% of borderline cysts progress to becoming malignant. However, because my husband has Stage IV kidney cancer and 'staying alive' is, right now, our main concern (!!!!), I am thinking of simply having a double oophrenectomy (sp?!) (I'm 55, and my bloods show I'm now perimenopausal, so my ovaries are due for retirement anyway!), and being done with it (I hope....!) I'm not clear whether suregery would include the fallopian tubes as well. Everything else in my pelvis is showing OK, so far as I understand. (Plus, no family history of ovca etc)Has anyone else been in a similar situation, and what was your decision, and your experience? My husband is worried at the thought of me having surgery (he had his kidney out this year, so knows abdominal surgery isn't a walk in the park!), though the TVS gynae says it could be done with keyhole.However, I also wonder whether it's best NOT to do keyhole, as is there not a risk that the ovary will rupture during removal, and then, if there IS any malignancy (or even proto-malignancy) in the cyst, that may get loose into my body and nest somewhere else!All information on this will be MOST gratefully received.I am very glad I did go ahead and get all this further checked out. I know US has its limitations, but even so, I think it's paid off this time by spotting 'something'.All the very, very best to all of you fighting ovca, and I hope, hope you win your battles.Julie.
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Abnormal cells after LEEP
0:00 - 19.11.2008
I had the leep procedure done in the end of march and I recently had an abnormal pap.Before i had this procedure I was told I could have some difficulties with having children in the future. Well I went in for a pap and she told me everything looks great and now I recieved my results back and it came back abnormal. For once in for all i thought maybe i could have children without worring..but now im going back in on monday and im 24 and i almost want to be selfish and have a child now before its to late and things just get worse. Has anyone experienced a leep and abnormal paps and have had children after?I never thought i would have to think about this at my age but not having children in the future years and waiting for it will kill me. someone please help me with a story of their own.Danny
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Cone Biopsy
0:00 - 16.11.2008
So the background info is that I had an abnormal pap in 2006, was diagnosed with HPV, and had a colposcopy in 2006 that showed low grade dysplasia. They wanted me to have 6 month paps and would watch and wait I suppose. From there, I wasn't impressed with my doctor and switched to a different clinic. I had my records from the previous clinic sent to this one so there wouldn't be any confusion as to what was going on or why I was so persistent to have a repap right then which was 6 months after my previous one. So, afterwards I recieved a lovely letter in the mail stating that the results were normal for my condition. I probably should have asked what exactly that meant. But, I was thrilled with the thought of not having another colpo. Six months later I was back again for another pap. Thinking the last one was "normal for my condition" I didn't freak out at all until I got the call saying I needed to schedule a colposcopy because there had been changes. I'm not really thrilled at this point where I have a month to anxiously wait to have my colpo. I had the colpo last week and it really wasn't as bad as the first. Not really any pain except when she took the biopsy. My Dr. was really good at explaining what she was doing etc. and drew me a picture of what she saw. So I freak out for a week waiting for the results. For some reason they didn't have my records from the previous clinic I went to and my Dr. wanted to look at them to make comparisons I suppose. I was able to track down my records but found out she didn't really need them at this point. I talked to the Dr. Friday night at around 6pm while I was driving in the rain and couldn't see a thing. Not the best time to chat since I was a little preoccupied with not driving off the road. What I got out of the conversation was that my results came back high grade and something about glands. She wants to do a cone biopsy and I have the option of either doing it in the office with the LEEP or the operating room with the laser. She did explain the difference between the two but I was so distracted with the rain and driving and the high grade and glands part that I can't remember the difference between the two. I talked to her nurse today which was no help at all. She said she was new and didn't have answers to any of my questions but would have someone call me tomorrow. So I guess my question is...what is the difference? What does high grade and glands mean? Do I have cancer? Will I ever be able to have children? I don't do well with things that aren't in my control and at this point I'm seriously freaking out. Any answers or suggestions? Sorry for the lengthy detail.
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mouth sores from Doxil
0:00 - 15.11.2008
I was just wondering if anyone has any cures that have worked for mouth sores from Doxil. My mom has them very bad. Her oncologist has given her varies treatments but nothing seems to work, not even the "magic mouthwash" My mom is a fighter, but this is really kicking her but. She started getting them with her 3rd treatment, were they were so bad that they even ran down her throat. Now on her 4th treatment she has them again, luckly not down her throat, but has them really bad, that she can barely even speak. Please help, she will pretty much try anything just to get rid of them.Sandra
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need advice
0:00 - 14.11.2008
I am recovering from a cone biopsy and scraping of cervix. I am 1 week post op. My wonderful MD called me on thursday 11-13-08 to let me know that my results from the biopsy came back and did show severe displasia of the cervix, which i knew, that was why we did the procedure. He also told me that the scraping that was done further inside my cervix also came back with displasia. So i am left with not many options. Eaither go for another cone, or have a hysterectomy. I think this has put me in a depression. I feel down, tired, and dont want to talk to anyone. I have one child and probably would not have had anymore, but it is tearing me up to have this taken away from me. I know i have to have it done. I feel like i am not worth anything anymore. thanks dancie
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Radiation or not
0:00 - 13.11.2008
I am post-op, a month ago I had a hysterectomy for cervical cancer 1a2, for my two week fallow up my doctor said that the tumor that was removed was bigger than what they thought and I might need radiation if it was bigger than 1/5 of an inch. My tumor was 3mm by 3.2mm before the surgery. I can not Imagine being much more. Does anyone know what is the cut off mesurement for not reciving anymore treatment after a hysterectomy?
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after chemo radiation
0:00 - 12.11.2008
hi! I had treatment of chemo radiation in July. Some side effects i am experiencing still are swelling of the abdomen/ lower back ache/ some spotting - i also started HRT but wonder if anyone else experienced these things ? i am due back to cancer agency next week for check up.
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Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma
0:00 - 12.11.2008
Hi, Any information on Signet Ring Abenocarcinoma ?
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scared
0:00 - 11.11.2008
Hi, I am a 23 year old female. Over the past month or so I've developed some symptoms that are concerning me...For the past 2 years or so, I've had very painful intercourse upon deep penetration - I get a shooting pain throughout my pelvis....then about 1 month go, I started to experience burning upon urination & increased frequency...I made an appointment to go see my family doctor (to rule out infection, etc) & get a pap, in between the time of scheduling my appointment & going to see my doctor, I developed a dull aching in my pelvis, mostly in the lower right quadrant. I tell him this informtion, he does a urine test, pregnancy test - all negative. during my pelvic examination, he presses down on my lower right quadrant, & it just about sends me off the bed, I had pushed down on my pelvis on my own standing up & didn't really have much discomfort. Over the next few days I've been experiencing lower back pain & shooting pain into my right groin area. The doctor's next suggestion is to go for a pelvic ultrasound....however, I have to wait until January for an appointment- in the meantime I am beside myself worrying I have cancer! I will note that my periods have remained normal, & I have had no abnormal bleeding
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Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma/Ovarian Cancer
0:00 - 11.11.2008
My BFF is 39 and was just diagnosed with Signet Ring Adenocarcinoma/Ovarian Cancer. Her first Chemo treatment is today.Does anyone have any experience with this type of Cancer or any suggestions that can help us better understand it?Any information would be really appreciated!Thanks,Juli
