Jan, I'm not very knowledgeable re:medical procedures or even meds themselves. I usually look on line and read the 'reviews' as well as talk to the pharmacist.

Could you explain Serotonin Syndrome as well as SSRI? I just turned 72, am on high BP meds, as well as high cholesterol meds.

Can you not take an anti anxiety drug an hour before surgery? I'm also small, 5'1", 113 lbs on a good day, up to 116 when I eat a lot of carbs, which is my weakness. I'm usually closer to the higher figure because of my 'weakness.' lol

Jan there are medical studies that have been done and more in process now substituting Cannabis for opiates or used in conjunction so that the opiate impact is greatly reduced. I know..... it's a strange new world we're living in but Cannabis is being used to treat opiate addiction, for chronic pain relief and topically to treat certain skin cancers. There are many compounds in Cannabis (not all produce the high) and the uses are being studied at warp speed. That probably doesn't help you much for tomorrow - unless you can place a call to your favorite local pot dealer!

Yes, people do recover from scopes without opiates - anyone with past addiction issues who doesn't want to risk their sobriety. Talk to your doctors - they need to know your fears. I'll be thinking of you and hope your procedure goes well.

Sorry, I don't have anything to add, just wishing you good luck on your procedure and recovery!

I wish you good luck, too I also am petite with very low blood pressure. Shortly after my 40th birthday i experienced a ruptured Fallopian tupe from an ectopic pregancy, resulting in emergency surgery ( laparotomy) and a blood transfusion to save my life.. The first 24 hours were rough, but i can honestly say that I did not need the narcotics that were prescribed to me post op....the most helpful thing to me post op, was the ice pack on my incision, because it "burned". I just used Advil after that..each day was better than the one before.

I wish I could answer your question, but I have no experience in that area. I just want to wish you the best of luck. It sounds like you are in good hands. I just HATE that anxious, worried feeling. Check in here when you can.

Fear is not fact. Fear is fear, but it is not reality.

You can work yourself up into a terrible state over all the awfulizing and catastrophizing you want, but none of it is the reality of what is happening right now, or even what most likely will happen tomorrow. All it does is work yourself up into a state where you will not be helping yourself at all.

I know telling someone to relax is not helpful, but do try to change your perspective so you can get a better handle on your reactions... try to let the negative thoughts go and focus on the positive...like how good and practiced your doctors are...how fortunate it is that this is even reparable when several years ago, it wasn't...how good you'll feel once you are on the road to recovery.

Let go of your fear by increasing your trust in the professionals who will be working on you.

Sending happy thoughts your way and I'm sure you'll do just fine...

Here is a link that might be useful: dealing with worry

I prefer to deal with the pain after a major surgery than the awful sensation I get from the painkillers.

DH has had knee surgery, shoulder surgery and recently achilles surgery. Achilles was the worst and the knee had the easier pain and recovery.

I just wanted to wish you good luck.

I am petite and have low blood pressure and a heart rate in the low 40's and made it through a 5 hour surgery just fine.

As long as your anesthesiologist knows you history, and he does, you will be just fine.

Jan, as others have noted, your concerns have been expressed to your healthcare providers (anesthesiologist, in particular), and so please trust that they will take care of you in the immediate aftermath of your surgery. Don't let this be a worry for you.

In terms of pain management, I have had chronic pain for the past few months. I am being treated by a licensed acupuncturist who has also prescribed an herbal remedy for the pain. Last week, I saw my primary care physician for a general physical. When she learned of my condition, she prescribed a pharmaceutical for the pain. I took the prescription and followed the instructions to the letter for the duration of the prescription. It brought less relief to my pain than the acupuncture/herbal remedy did.

I'm not pointing out names of drugs or herbs, because I don't want to promote or dismiss what may work for others. My point is that, once you get through the surgery and the immediate aftermath, please know you may have alternatives for any lingering pain that don't have to involve conventional medication that doesn't agree with you. Just trust in tomorrow. My thoughts are with you!

I don't have any knowledge to share so I will just send you good wishes for a trouble-free procedure and quick recovery.

I also send you good wishes for an easy recovery. Thinking how nice life will be when you are running around without knee pain.

And from me also: best wishes for a complete recovery!

I'm home now from the surgery yesterday evening! I wanted to cancel the whole thing, i was so scared. But i knew i needed it done.

You were right! The anesthesiologist listened and made some changes to the general anesthesia so that I would have a non-volatile only. Also, no narcotics or anti nausea, paralytics, or muscle relaxants. I had a prescription anti-inflammatory and one Vicodin. Now I'm on Tylenol and Advil only. I didn't have any nausea after surgery. The PVCs disappeared with the anesthetic, so they seem to be fueled by adrenaline - no surprise.

After we left, and went to the pharmacy, I experienced heart racing, some hearing loss, and feelings of sickness. So we went back to the ER. I was afraid I was having a reaction. It ended up my potassium had bottomed out and that I was dehydrated, so I received fluids and potassium. The hearing loss was from the anti-inflammatory but seems better this morning.

Now it's just physical therapy. Piece of cake.

Glad to hear surgery went well. Cheers for a smooth recovery and pt!

So glad you are doing well. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Very happy to hear from you today and glad everything went well and that you had a good gas-passer (anesthesiologist)! Hope the PT goes smoothly too.

Oh dear!
(I have to throw in an honorary "Uffda!" for you too!)

Glad you're doing good now!

Faron

Glad to hear back from you and that you made it through with minimal difficulty.

I'm glad all turned out well in the end. Wishing you a speedy recovery. I'm still recovering from ankle surgery 3 months later and still not ready for running. I feel ready and then I go thorough PT in preparation for it and I hurt afterwards. I was totally unprepared for how long it would take. I've still been working out though. Even while I had my cast on so it's helps reduce my frustration of not being ready yet. Hope yours will be a little smoother.

Piece of cake. With frosting! Make that ala-mode and you'll be out dancing.