Posted by Racer on February 9, 2008, at 13:22:04
In reply to Question for Larry Hoover or other geniuses, posted by clipper40 on February 8, 2008, at 8:30:00
There's not enough information to answer that question, really. A lot depends on what sort of a procedure is involved, and why (and how long) she has to be off those medications for it.
Some doctors are more cautious than others, and want patients off ALL medications which aren't necessary to sustain life. (ie: they'd let a diabetic stay on insulin, but not on statins) Others only want someone off those medications which would clearly interact with things like anesthesia, etc. Part of the answer for your friend would depend on how cautious the doctor in question was being; on why she had to stop the medications. Considering Effexor's known discontinuation issues, I'm guessing this isn't a psychiatrist recommending she stop it?
Actually, I'm very surprised that her doctor hasn't taken that very topic into account. It's hard for me to understand a doctor not taking steps to mitigate the discontinuation problems of stopping Effexor for any reason -- unless that doctor really is ignorant of that issue.
The best answer I can give based on the information at hand is that your friend should talk to her doctor, and ask why she needs to stop those medications, and for assistance in mitigating the discontinuation effects.
I'm very sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
poster:Racer
thread:811490
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/neuro/20080204/msgs/811730.html