Topic: blood thinners - vitamins, herbs

Hi,

Curcumin is a blood thinner, as well as an antioxidant.

So are Hawthorne, Ginkgo, Horse Chestnut, ummmmm..that's right off the top of my poor, chemo-brained head.

But acupunc, did your hospital not give you the complete list of blood thinners?Because mine not only gave me a list of OTC drugs (like aspirin and Ibupropin, etc,)but also every herb which might cause bleeding.

And here's the thing:They didnt stop me from using them for my stereotactic biopsy, they stopped me from using them TWO WEEKS BEFORE SURGERY!!!

So since you plan to go back to your CAM drugs before surgery(I wouldnt!), I sincerely advise you to speak with your surgeon's OFFICE!You dont need the doc to run this by.A nurse should know!

I'm quite surprised they gave you no list nor pre-surgery instructions!

Good luck, and please call them for this info.

Joan

PS: the only drug I found imperative while in hospital (and I take a LOT of suppliments) was vitamin C.It aids in healing and is also protective against hospital-rampant viruses.I requested it IV, from my surgeon.He invisioned trouble w/insurance co.

I requested him to add it to the list of my given drugs.He actually told me to sneak it in ("but dont let the nurses see")!

I did.I put it in an emptied-out jar of Nivea.

Things went very well with my surgery and post-surgery.

I wish you the same.

Hi acupunc,

Joan gave very good advice ...

It's always best to talk with your surgeon's office about all medications/supplements that you specifically are taking. The anesthesiologists are equally interested so you can try to call their office as well....for instance, St. John's Wort is recommended by anesthesiologists to discontinue before surgery.

You may hear different suggestions because there are variables associated with each individual's medical history and the type of surgery to be done and the associated risks.

Best wishes

Erika,

Warfarin (coumadin) is much more powerful and dangerous than any of the herbs and supplements and is generally stopped as you stated for even minor procedures. Patients on the drug need their INR/protime tested every 4-6 weeks and more often if there's an out of range number. Your doc is right on.

Hi Ginger:

You're absolutely right. What I was trying to do was compare Acupunc stopping supplements 10 days before biopsy, whereas I was told to stop Warfarin (6 mg daily is very powerful) for only 5 days before mastectomy. Actually, I was afraid 5 days wasn't long enough and was very worried about it and thought I'd probably need a transfusion. 

My point being how different each Doctor's instructions are....that is scary.

What you said is absolutely correct, I need to go to the Lab once a month. I was put on it before chemo, as blood clots is a side effect of chemo.....that's why I didn't have a port put in. As now I'm on Femara I need to continue with the Warfarin. All anti-estrogenic meds have s.e. of clots.

so sorry, for prattling on, forgive me

many hugs to all,

Erika

One I just found out about this week is fish oil.  A friend of mine who is a nurse attended a lecture this week and fish oil was mentioned as one of the platelet inhibitors. 

Erika,

Part of the difference in "time off" of blood thinners could be the different doc's comfort levels with what's an okay level of risk  because when you're off you're obviously at risk. The other possibility could be the time it takes to rid the body of the effects of the blood thinner. 5 days off is very common for warfarin but I'd have no clue on the herbs/vitamins.

When I had my biopsy and subsequent lumpectomy all I got was a telephone call from the anesthesia department secretary the day before telling me not to eat or drink after midnight!  No one reviewed my medications or gave me any instructions aobut stopping medications or supplements.  I was (still am) taking St. Johns Wort, fish oil and ginger--I wonder if that is why I had such a huge hematoma after the biopsy? 

I thought arnica was only for external use.  ??

Has anyone been denied surgery because they take coumadin for a PFO? After preparing for surgery for two months, the week before my surgery, the breast surgeon decided he would not do the surgery until I had the PFO repaired and was no longer taking coumadin. I am an emotional wreck as a result of this. Has anyone had a similar experience?

Hi,

Vitamin E can cause hemoraging during surgery. I learned from experience. That happened to me during an emergency surgery after an accident. I needed a transfusion.

ElaineM