Hi Friends,

I know this topic was briefly touched on in the past, but I'd like to formally ask if any of you had any problems stopping your medications (specifically related to MM i.e. Aggrenox, aspirin) in order for you to do other diagnostic procedures or even surgeries?

I have been advised to do a necessary stereotactic biopsy; however, the normal protocol requires me to stop taking any blood thinners 5-days prior to the procedure, but my surgeon said due to my recent double STA-MCAs, stopping my medications 3-days prior should be okay.  My neuro said "no" and the most he would allow is for me to stop taking my medicine is 1-day prior.

I feel stuck in a rut right now.... :-/  the biopsy is necessary to determine if "C" is present, but I also understand the necessity and the importance of making sure I have sufficient blood flow...especially since I'm only about 3 1/2 months post op now.   :-[

Anyone have any experience or suggestions?  I truly appreciate your thoughts... [smiley=confused2.gif]

Take care,
Shan
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Hi Shan,
I have my fingers crossed for you that nothing comes up with your biopsy. As you may be aware,
I no longer take any meds for my MM - only pain killers for my headaches, but I have recently had some cosmetic surgery, and some normal surgery (putting grommets in my ears and later taking them out again)and was told there was no harm in stopping all my meds a week before my operations. This was also applicable when I had my right side STA-MCA done when I was still taking Aspirin. They advised me to stop all things like Aspirin and antihistamines and other things that can make bleeding a problem during surgery. I was taking some homeopathic treatments and cold and flu medication before my Cosmetic surgery and was told I could stop them a couple of days before.

Hope this is of help to you - I think that if your brain has established blood flow from the bypasses it shouldn't be a problem to stop blood thinning meds for a short time.
My thoughts and prayers are with you
Moira

All I know is if Tyler goes over a week without his asprin he startes having Tia's. It sounds like everyone is suggesting under a week, so you should be safe.

Have you tried telling all the doctors about the difference of opinions to see what they all say?

Rena

Good thought Rena!  I would do what Rena suggests if you haven't already!  If you do not get anywhere with presenting the docs with their disagreement, I would follow your neurosurgeon's instructions, but that is just me.  (Obviously, let your other surgeon know in case your blood is still pretty thin.)  

Oh... what about if you compromised and took a baby aspirin (instead of the full aspirin) for a few days prior?  

I hope all goes well with the biopsy.  I hope everything is okay with you.  You will be in my thoughts, Shan.  
Take lots of care,
Stephanie

Thanks for your responses.  I greatly appreciate them!  :D  My neuro in the end did tell me to have my surgeon give him a call so they can discuss this matter further, so I'm anxious to see what they finally agreed upon.

Steph,  Right now I am ony taking baby aspirin (81 mg) and Aggrenox twice daily which has some aspirin in it.  (I used to take the full 325 mg daily until I had the 4 1/2 hr nose bleed).

Oh boy...if it's not one thing, it's another....

Thanks so much again for your replies!  ;;D

Take care,
Shan