blood thinners - vitamins, herbs

acupunc

I may have to undergo a 2nd biopsy, and in preparation, I stopped taking all my vitamins and herbs, out of concern that they might be blood thinners, which are prohibited for 10 days prior to a biopsy.  It's been over 10 days and I really want to get back on my supplements, prior to surgery.  Does anyone have any idea if certain vitamins or herbs are blood thinners?  I can't get the time I need with my doctor right now, to answer this question.  Thanks.

JoanofArdmore

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.

erika-canada

Hi:

I find it frusterating how all these doctors give different instructions? Because I'm prone to blood clots, I take 6mg of Warfarin daily. Before my mastectomy, etc, I was told to stop taking it 5 days before surgery and go back on it 2 days after surgery; which I did.

It makes a you wonder, doesn't it.

Blundin2005

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

bomber410

Vitamin E is a blood thinner.

Debbie 

ginger2345

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.

Anonymous

I was told to avoid the NSAIDs, vitamin E (which I don't take anyway) and fish oil because they all have a blood-thinning effect.

~Marin

erika-canada

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

lvtwoqlt

I was told by my surgeon to stop 10 days prior to my stero biopsy to stop taking my asprin and flax seed oil.

My PS gave a more extensive list to stop taking 2 weeks prior to surgery. it included the fish oil, vit e, vit c. and I can't remember the rest of the list.

Sheila

ginger2345

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.

Anonymous

I too received a loooooong list of things NOT to take prior to biopsy and surgery.  The first thing my surgeon asked me before my biopsy was, do you take fish oil.  I suppose fish oil is one of the most common supplements people take.

Shirley

NativeMainer

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? 

rubytuesday

Although not a blood thinner, you shouldn't take melatonin prior to surgery because it can intensify the effects of anesthesia. 

All omega 3s are blood thinners and truthfully so are most herbs (at least most of the ones I was taking). For my biopsy, it was either 7 or 9 days prior to and for my surgery, my PS wanted me off for 2 weeks.  

I used Bromelain prior to and immediately after surgery in combination with Arnica to speed up healing and lessen bruising and swelling.  They worked BEAUTIFULLY!!!  

arnica

I thought arnica was only for external use.  ??

rubytuesday

Arnica is a homeopathic remedy and comes in pellets (internal) and cream (external).  So it may be used either way depending on the form.  Best wishes!

nancykuz

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?

FloridaLady

I had my 2nd mast after only stopping coumadin for 5 days.  I had a 2nd surgery again after only stopping for 5 days.  They did not feel like it was a big deal.  I also had to have a tooth pulled while on coumadin.  I did not stop my vitamin or supplements.

flalady

ElaineM

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