A bit worried

Ok...so I went to my pre-op class today...I learned a lot and several of my questions were answered...but I'm a tad worried about the medication I'm currently taking. It is Diamox and it is for Intracranial Hypertension. It is a diuretic. We were told that the reason we shouldn't have caffine prior to surgery is because it is a diuretic. So I asked the question about the Diamox and they said I'd probably be taken off of it and depending on how I'm doing they may give it back to me after surgery. Well, it helps to keep me from having super severe headaches by keeping the pressure down in my head (I still have bad daily headaches, but I have learned to cope without pain meds most of the time). I don't see Dr. S until next week. I'm trying not to stress over this, but I don't want to have a super severe headache...the best relief for my headaches is a spinal tap...and I hate them. Anyone have any experience or just any advice?

Thanks!!!

Good morning Paislee!

Sounds like you took one giant step  closer to your WLS goal!  Woooo Hoooo!

As for your meds and medical conditions; they're going to do a complete work up on you and won't be taking your situation lightly.  No worries!  'If" the surgeon doesn't give you the answers you are after then I'd insist on the prescribing pcp or specialist being brought into the plan.  Docs visit with docs all the time to make sure a patient's care is exactly right!

Keep us posted! 

I agree with Joyce on this...I have a funky heart situation, and consulted my specialist who told me to take my meds, even the morning of surgery.  when I brought it up at my pre-op appt, my surgeon agreed with this. 
I doubt they will want you feeling sick pre-op, and so many of us have various medical conditions that I wouldn't worry too much about what was said in your pre-op class pertaining to this.  Drink tons of coffee and tea pre-op?  no....but meds?  That's between you and the doctors. 
Don't stress over this-it will be fine.  Now is the time to start getting ready for surgery!  Clean closets, kitchen cupboards, buy foods for post-op....you have enough to keep you busy, that's for sure!  It's an exciting time!
betty

Thanks you guys. I'm sure things will be fine. I'm just on edge. :) 

You are right...I have enough to do without stressing over this. I've started looking for the vitamins and extra protein sources that I'll need. Less than 3 weeks to go!

Ask your doctor about it at the pre-op appointment. I was taking HCTZ for my hypertension (also a diuretic)... and they had me do an extra blood test a few days before surgery to make sure everything was alright.

It ended up being no big deal at all. :)

I am sure a lot is going though your mind.  I was also very worried about it.  I told a lot of meds and was worried about changing them and stopping them.  I think before my RNY I was taking 10 meds.  About 2 weeks after I was down to 2.  I can say that my doctor was on top of what I was and was not taking.

You can take your Diamox after your surgery as long as its not sequels time release. I took my Methazolamide the day of my RNY and then didn't take it until I got home from the hospital, I was fine...dont forget you will be on pain meds while in the hospital...I was on Morphine the whole time.
Im in remission from my IH and have been off all my meds since Dec 2008 :)...I know this disorder is different for all of us but I will be praying for you and your remission too :)  HUGS!!!

Do they know what is causing your IH?

It's so nice to hear from someone that has been there! It really gives me hope that one day I'll be in remission, too! I take the 250mg tablets...750 in the am and 1000 at night. At least they are little pills. I'll be interested to see how I will be taking them after surgery.

I went to see Dr. Rekate (neurosurgeon) to see about a shunt and the WLS was his recommendation. He thinks the weight is causing my IH. My neurologist hasn't really said one way or another, but he didn't think the WLS was a bad idea. Dr. Rekate told me that if I don't go into remission after losing the weight, then it will be time for a shunt. So, I guess time will tell.

Thanks so much for responding!!!

You need to explain to your surgeon the seriousness of your IH and taking the Diamox. Diamox can be given IV (which you will want to do initially because crushed Diamox is absolutely foul!). You should not, under any cir****tances, be taken off of the Diamox. I went 12 hours without mine and nearly ended up shunted because my pressure which was already high shot up through the roof post-op (which is typical of any kind of stress to the body).

You should also keep in mind that just because you lose weight does not mean that the IH will go into remission, and you should prepare yourself for possibly worse IH problems during the rapid weight loss period.

I'm 8 months post op and my IH is far from in remission. In fact I've lost over 200 pounds since my diagnosis and I'm now blind and I've had shunt placed, had a revision and now I have TWO shunts and still deal with IH issues daily.

Some people do go into remission, and I hope you are one of those people, but until that happens DO NOT go off the Diamox. You need to talk to both your neuro and your surgeon and get things worked out and understood by both of them about this. Also make sure that your surgeon is prepared to have a neurologist and possibly an ophthalmologist come check on you while you're in patient post-op.

Best of luck!