Anyone take Xanax on day of surgery?

Nanpop

hi. I am scheduled for surgery next week and was wondering if anyone took Xanax. I am 48 and having a bilateral mastectomy with expanders put in. I am really nervous and have had high blood pressure for the past few years. My medicine never controlled it. I just switched to a beta-blocker which hopefully will help.

I bought a meditation app that includes guided imagery. Any thoughts?

ksusan

Short answer: Hell, yeah.

Longer answer: Ask your surgeon if it's okay, and at what dose. I took lorazepam (another benzodiazepine) before (and after, because it was helpful for chest muscle twitching).

mustlovepoodles

I second asking your surgeon. Sometimes there are papers to sign in the pre-op area, so you would need to hold off the Xanax. He/She may tell you to wait until you get to the hospital and meet with the anesthesiologist. Anesthesiology can usually give you an IV injection if you tell them you are anxious (at least, they always have for me.)

inks

I did, I told the anesthesiologist about it too.

AmyQ

I'm having hip replacement surgery next week and all the pre-op papers say to take your normal meds with a small amount of water so I'll be doing just that before heading to the hospital. However since Xanax isn't your regularly scheduled Rx, I would still ask but think it's okay. However one thought, have you taken it before? If not, you might want to try it before your surgery just to make sure you aren't allergic.

Good luck -

Amy

Bigbluefish

oh god yes!! No one had any problem with my taking it before I went to the hospital.

Smurfette26

Check with your anaesthesiologist. I was not permitted anything for anxiety on the day of surgery or the evening before to help me sleep. Needless to say I barely slept a wink and was a blubbering mess the morning of my mastectomy.

mostlymom

These are good suggestions. Xanax was the first thing I requested when my doc called me 5 years ago to tell me I had breast cancer. My rx says "take 1 as needed" - I include it on my rx list and i figure if "they" object, they will tell me. At 73, I know what I need and I'm not about to put myself through a panic attack to please "them".... I do tell them if I have taken a xanax.

Luckynumber47

My breast surgeon prescribed klonopin for my surgery day. I took one at 6am, with surgery at 9 am. They said I could take a second one if needed but it wasn't needed. I can't imagine getting through that morning without it. I didn't feel high, just calm.

I also used a guided imagery tape and it worked wonders for me. Really helped me relax.

Wishing you all the best with your surgery. I was so happy with mine - it meant the scary unknown was over and the healing had begun

Sorella

This is a bit after the fact but as my surgery was 9.26.2016, I am counting myself as an October surgery if that's ok. My recommendation is to take the anti anxiety meds when you are very anxious before and after! For goodness sake, we sure have something to be anxious about. When we get through this, life free of meds (other than necessary hormones ) will be so appreciated, I don't think addiction to anxiety meds will be a problem for most

MagicalBean

I did. My providers agreed it was ok, and I am so glad I did.