Beware of some Herbals

Hi to all. I just wanted to send a note to everyone who is getting ready for surgery soon. If you take the herb, St. John's Wort, you need to stop taking it at least 10 days before your surgery. The hospital I go to has it on their pre-admission testing questionaire. There is a question just for the St. John's Wort. I had been told by a friend that she was told this, so I had stopped taking it while I was waiting to have my D&C in December. I couldn't believe the question was that direct. I asked why, and the nurse doing my pre-op said that if you've had it within 10 days and your doctor knows this, that they will probably cancel your surgery. It affects the blood somehow. When I got to the hospital the morning for my D&C, I was asked again specifically about the St. John's Wort. I haven't had any of it since December, (and I do miss it, it really does help calm you down), and plan to ask my doctor when I might be able to resume it once the surgery is over. If I take St. John's Wort, when I have a really bad anxiety attack, (one or two days a month), I usually don't have to take the Xanax I have for those days. Just wanted to let you know this and has anyone else had that question about this herb?

I just found my other paper work, and it says the the reason St. John's Wort has to be stopped 10 days prior to surgery is it alters how anesthesia affects your body. I couldn't find this paper when I first made my post.

Thank you so much for the head's up on the St. John's. As a precautionary note, if you're in the midst of planning any surgery or medical proceedure make sure you let your doc know of any Rx, OTC (over the counter) Medicine, Herbal or Mineral that you're ingestion. IT's always better to be safe then sorry. And goodness knows you wouldn't want ot have surgery delayed.

Didn't know about the St John's Wort. I used to take it kinda stopped over time but if not I would have taken it clear through to my surgery. I do know not to tak Vitamin K within 10 days because it thins your blood.

Hi, Just want to mention that if you take echinacea, you must stop taking it 10 days before surgery too! Not sure why...was told that it effects the blood??? Don't know if thats the real reason or not but I do know that I was using it and was told to discontinue using it in my pre-op appointment.

Meg

Wow...I hadn't realized. Thanks for the heads up. I've got 20 Days to go. I use St. John's Wart when I start freaking out (...like now!!!) So, I suppose chamomile tea will have to be my source of comfort for now.

Aspirin and Vitamin E can thin the blood and Vitamin K acts as a clotting agent. Echinacea is another herb that you shouldn't take, but I can't remember why. It's best to tell your dr. everything you are taking, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal. Best wishes,

Your right it is Vitamin E sorry about the misinformation I'm pretty sure I'm losing my mind.LOL

Oops! I have doubled up on the echinacia because I teach school, all the kids come in sick, and I didn't get a flu shot. I am scheduled on 3/2, but I know I mentioned the herbal supplement to my DD. She did not say anything. I am so afraid I will catch something before next Friday! DebK TAH-3/2

wow! did'nt know about vit.e. also gingo biloba thins the blood.doc said not to take 2wks before surgery.i just stopped all herbs and only take multi-vit. and iron.