do they still give pre-op meds?

[sfmcfar]

Hi,

18 more days until my L5-S1 Charite ADR with Dr. McAfee, and I'm beginning to get a bit nervous, which I'm sure is normal. But I'm wondering if it's standard practice (like I think it used to be) to give anti-anxiety meds prior to surgery. Knowing how I am, I can see myself being really anxious and stressed out immediately prior to surgery, but I'll also probably be too embarrassed to ask for something.

Any ideas?

[SenecaGirl]

I'm not sure if they can give out meds, I'm sure others on the board can answer that one. However, don't be embarrassed to talk to your Dr. about it. If he knows how stressed you are, he can help you with ways to calm yourself down - I'm sure he's dealt with patients who are way more stressed than you.

Bring some comforting things to the hospital with you -- a picture of family/friends, a lucky memento, something religious (ie. rosary beads if you're catholic...). Whatever you can hold on to while you're getting prepped -- it might take your mind off of the surgery (if not, at least you have something to wring your hands on!).

I did all I could not to cry on my way into the surgery room (I was sooooo nervous) -- the nurse totally got that and made funny jokes and talked to me about the nonsense things in life.

Good luck, and let us know what you do to destress, I'm sure others on the board would love to hear back! SG

[luvmysibe]

Hi Stan,
By all means if you are nervous or distressed please request a mild sedative when you arrive in pre-op. The anesthesiologist should meet with you prior to your surgery and you can and should mention your concerns. Also, please try to practice deep breathing or other calming strategies (yoga, music therapy, massage) as it will benefit you before and after your operation. I have made it through 8 abdominal surgeries, so I can speak from experience. If you enjoy music, take a walkman or MP3 player.

[Poncho]

This is common practice to give some sort of sedative prior to surgery for the anxiety - usually it is Ativan or something along those lines. I second Crystal's thought here and make sure you request something from the anesthesiologist when you arrive for your pre-op.

[Alastair]

Hi Stan,
everybody that's going to have surgery is nervous and the doctors and nurses know this, but if you feel better by telling them then indeed do so. It will not be unusual for them to give you something just calm matters down, and prior to getting you into the operating theatre. But once they get you in the preparation room they probably will give you an injection in your hand and you'll know nothing until it's all over.

Just try not to worry which I know it's easy to say, and hard to do. Do remember to come back and tell us all how you got on
Best wishes,
Alastair

[annapurna]

Don't worry about the anxiety. This is Annapurna's husband rather than herself. I've had quite a few surgeries myself and have always had good luck with admitting nervousness. In fact, for the laugh, I tend to have my kidneys rev into high gear when I'm under stress so my last hour our so before each surgery made the bathrooms look like they were fitted with revolving doors. Turned out there was a side benefit from having to refrain from drinking prior to surgery. If not I'd have probably had to get up off the table in the middle of things. As it was, knee surgery in the Alpha Klinik was interesting when I woke up needing to pee without any means to get to an appropriate location.

Just admit that you're nervous and they can start a mild sedative early or prescribe something to take just before you arrive. Heck, if you convinced them you weren't nervous, I'd imagine they'd worry about you more than if you admitted you were.