Need help sorting out med questions for surgery! HELP

Can anyone help me with what you did with regards to surgery and Effexor xr and my other meds that I am currently taking.  I am on Effexor 225 mg once a day- I take it in the morning.   My surgery - gastric bypass with Dr. Christou in Montreal ( I am from Halifax NS) anyway I just got bumped up - I was supposed to be having surgery on June 25th and now he is doing it on June 10th......... so having just come back from Montreal today and meeting with him yesterday- its been one huge whirlwind the last 36 hours! I now will not be able to talk to my doctor about taking it or other meds- can I mix it in the applesauce as others have mentioned with other meds.  I know you can not split some pills but is it the stuff inside the effexor xr that is long acting and by splitting the capsule open I wont be harming myself?? I am on clonazapam and effexor for anxiety depression  and zoplicone (immovane)and trazadone for sleep at night.  I assume my bp medication they are used to dealing with and hopefully I wont have to have it much longer. Can you just crush Avapro 150 mg- I take it once a day. Dr. Christou had suggested I chk with my doctor to see if I can safely cut back on any dosages- while waiting for surgery but now after the phone call today with the short time frame til Tuesdays surgery( june 10th) -  I cant see my doctor nor expect a phone call to discuss any of this- she is out of the office the rest of the week. I just came off of Topamax the last month and it was hell and also stopped taking lyrica for pain as it was causing swelling in my legs so I have been through the ringer with horrible side effects and know enough that you have to come off these psych.meds slowly- just think how it can be just missing a dose. Horrible! So I am just wondering if  anyone has med advice - its just all of a sudden happening so quickly and I am excited about surgery on Tuesday but still trying to cover all my bases! I thought I had 3 weeks to surgery to get ready and now less than a week- I leave Monday for Montreal- so having a lil freak tonight ! Thanks for joining me! Does anyone take naproxen ds- 150 mg twice a day?   I take this as an anti-inflammatory for my osteo-arthritis in my knees and I know that I have to stop the med cause of the danger of it getting lodged in my pouch and burning into the lining( maybe not the right description or words- sorry) So has anyone else stopped an anti-inflammatory abruptly and had side effects- my worst fear is my right knee which is the worst one and having a blow up(taking on fluid) and the knee being immobile and not being able to walk after surgery to get rid of my gas pains......... my knee is so tricky- I just need it to behave ! LOL Ok last question - does anyone take zytram xl 150mg- I take it for chronic pain due to arthritis and sciatica pain - I take it at night and I am not sure if it will be ok after surgery??? I sound like a flippin drug store- or worse druggie!!! LOL  I am just worried of any reactions or the hospital saying no you cant take that and them stopping the med and I all of sudden am doing freaky withdrawls post op when I will already have my hands full. I have to be at the hospital for 6:30 am- are you allowed to take your morning meds before going to the hospital with just a little water- all my instructions for surgery really say is my date and time and to do optifast until surgery & dont eat after midnite or drink anything. thanks for any advice. I appreciate so much the support- no action or enough people on the Maritime Message boards for NS/NB to get some help. Just not enought people belong to OH to rely on it for support and advice- so I turn to the xperts from the ontario board. You guys are truly the real  meaning of a support group and are always there for each other. deb

First congrats on your uped date Deb. you must be so excited and nervous all in on.

2nd feel free to join us anytime on this board - all are welcome

3rd I would call back the surgeons office and confirm all your medication questions.

you probably won't need your sleep meds while in the hospital since you'll be on strong pain meds.

I am on paxil and was able to crush after surgery and now I split the pill to take at night.

you are right that Naproxen DS is for slow release and should not be split or crush to work as intended, but I am not a doctor and I would call your surgeons office they should help you out.

Best wishes for a good surgery and come back and let us know how you are doing.

Kim

Hi! Congrats! I can only help you with Effexor and Trazodone. Trazodone, I knw can be stopped without side effects.  However, I can tell you that you cannot stop effexor suddenly, you have to ween yourself off slowly.  My Gp prescribed me Meridia, while waiting for surgery, but she called me back to tell me it should not be taken with more than 37.5mg of effexor (now who takes only 37.5???).  Anyway, to make a long story short, I've just tried to reduce my dosage by 37.5 mg per week, and that's had some side effects.  I only went to the UK on vacation and forgot to bring it with me, and it was AWFUL.  Do not do it. Not sure about how to handle it while you're recovering as far as opening it and stuff, but I can tell you to not stop all of a sudden. Hope this helps! Audrey

I know that you are not suppose to take nsaids.  Here is some sites on which you can examine to see what the complications are on stopping these meds.   http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/naprosyn_wcp.htm

http://health.lifestyle.yahoo.ca/drug_info_details.asp?brand _name_id=4802&rot=4 To me expecially the day of surgery I don't think it is a good idea to take these pain meds.  If you can't talk to your doctor contact your hospital or phone that health site, which I haven't a clue what the number is. Congrats on your upcoming surgery.  Good Luck!

You can open the Effexor and take the pills that way.  I do it daily now.

Really Mallory???  I had no idea!!! Cool! Audrey