meka
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Posts: 164
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Post by meka on Aug 9, 2006 23:46:35 GMT -5
Denna commented in another thread: " just PLEASE PLEASE do no take herbs especially DONG QUAI AND SIBERIAN GINSENG before any surgery. "
I want to reiterate this. If you are scheduled for surgery, stop taking all herbal supplements before the surgery. Various sources say to stop anywhere between 5 days and three weeks before surgery. I think it would be safest to get off of them at least two weeks before your surgery.
Many herbal supplements can cause you to have a low blood platelet count. In effect, this causes your blood to thin and not clot properly. Thus, you may have serious complications with your surgery. Some supplements can also interfere with the anesthesia.
By the way, the list the hospital gave me on my preoperative appointment this week also lists "all diet pills; the following supplements: glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, Vitamin E; and all homeopathics." It even lists garlic and ginger supplements.
Even if your doctor or anesthesiologist doesn't mention it, make sure you tell them EVERYTHING you are taking as soon as you know that you will be having surgery, even before a date is scheduled. (Actually, it's probably best to talk to your doctor about this regardless of whether or not you are planning to have surgery.)
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meka
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Posts: 164
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Post by meka on Aug 10, 2006 0:11:35 GMT -5
While I already basically knew that herbs can cause blood thinning, I didn't know that I needed to stop taking the herbs so far in advance. I stopped taking them Monday and my laparotomy is scheduled for Friday. Not enough time. I'm so #@** pissed! When I went in on Tuesday for my preoperative appointment with the anesthesiologist they showed me the stinking list and said, "Oh, but you already have this." GASP! No, no one gave me that very important list weeks ago when my surgery was scheduled!! There were supplements and medication (Aleve) on there that I have taken recently. But they drew my blood and told me it would probably be okay. So I was relieved. Then, a couple of hours later my doctor (I knew it was bad when I heard him on the other end instead of a nurse) called me with a grim-sounding voice. He tells me my blood platelets are low or abnormal or something, and that I may have trouble clotting. He said he may have to cancel/postpone the $*%# surgery. UGGH, I'm so pissed (did I mention that). Down right disgusted. How could they not have been more cautious to tell me the necessary information sooner? Anyway, the doctor told me to go back in to the blood lab Thursday morning to get retested (fun stuff: ). If my platelet count has normalized, then he'll be able to proceed with the surgery on Friday. Scary part is that there are other medical reasons why my blood platelets could be low, but I don't even want to entertain those right now. Again, I'm trying to be optimistic, but I'm so heartbroken. I am only two days away! People have scheduled time off of work for me, and now they might have to . . . err! And on top of that, I'm breaking out with full body hives, and I can't take anything for it! Deep breaths, ahhh.
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meka
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Posts: 164
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Post by meka on Aug 10, 2006 0:24:48 GMT -5
I asked the doctor whether there was anything I could do to reverse the low blood platelet count. He emphatically said, "No." But I went online and found out that Calcium, and Vitamin K especially, have the opposite effect. That is, they can assist in blood clotting.
I didn't want to go so far as to take any vitamin supplements after the doctor had already said, "No," but I did go out any buy a bunch of food high in vitamin K and calcium. Messed up part is that I only had 24 hours to consume it, since I had to start a clear liquid diet in preparation for the surgery. (He may have to do some work on my bowels if there's endo on them). Hopefully what I ate will help at least a little.
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meka
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Posts: 164
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Post by meka on Aug 10, 2006 18:09:46 GMT -5
Well, my blood was retested today and it was still abnormal. Only this time the Dr. said there is a high platelet count. I guess I misunderstood what he was telling me the first time. In any case, my surgery for tomorrow is canceled until the hematologist can figure out and fix the problem. So disappointed. But that still doesn't change anything about the fact that you should stop taking herbs weeks before surgery.
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Post by ouchy on Aug 13, 2006 11:06:33 GMT -5
Hi, Meka. Sorry about your blood count. I hope they figure something out soon! I hope it is nothing serious! Let us know when you get an answer! I've heard of some women having a high platelet count because of something simple like iron deficiency. Sometimes it's not that simple, though. Good luck!!!! Hugs. And sorry about the postponement of your surgery!!!!
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meka
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Posts: 164
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Post by meka on Aug 18, 2006 14:05:55 GMT -5
Thanks for the support, Ouchy.
I saw the hematologist yesterday and found out what the problem was. Whereas a normal count is 150K to 450K, mine had gone up to over a million!! With that count I was at risk for abnormal bleeding, stroke, or even heart attack But now, 1 week later, it's down to a little over 500K. That's still a tiny bit high, but the hematologist says it's okay to have the surgery, no extra medication necessary.
The hematologist said that the increase is most likey due to inflamation, which is caused by the endometriosis/and or cysts.
And, it just so happened that my gynecologist had a surgery slot open for next week, so that's when I'll be having my surgery. Four days and counting.
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Post by erzulie on Aug 18, 2006 15:35:04 GMT -5
Good luck meka!!!!
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Post by wendyjt on Sept 6, 2006 6:47:20 GMT -5
Has anyone heard from Meka since her surgery? I've thought about her every day. It's been over two weeks...........
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Post by ouchy on Sept 6, 2006 9:14:20 GMT -5
Oh wow!!!! I never read her last post! I was still thinking that she didn't get to have the surgery!!!! MEKAAAAAAAA Hope it went welllllllllllllllllll!!!!! Send us a sign!!!!
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Post by erzulie on Sept 6, 2006 9:45:44 GMT -5
I've been wondering about her for a while too. She's probably still recovering, a laparotomy isn't something you just bounce back from! Maybe she is having a hard time getting over it. I know I probably would. I hope she posts soon and tells us she's ok!
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Post by ouchy on Sept 13, 2006 14:44:51 GMT -5
Meka UPDATE: The site shows that she actually logged in at 4:15 A.M. today!!! I hope she is doing okay!
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Post by wendyjt on Sept 13, 2006 14:57:48 GMT -5
Thanks for letting us know!
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Post by erzulie on Sept 13, 2006 15:47:45 GMT -5
I wonder why she won't talk to us?
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Post by ouchy on Sept 13, 2006 15:50:12 GMT -5
She probably will pretty soon. Maybe we need to have "lap buddies," whom we can call to let everyone know the surgery went okay--i.e. whether or not you came out of anesthesia.
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Post by wendyjt on Sept 13, 2006 17:12:12 GMT -5
Meka, are you mad at us?? (kidding) When you feel up to it, please let us know how you are!
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