kava before surgery?

[Harry's Mom]

HI!

I haven't posted here in ages, but I'm having some minor out patient surgery in two weeks and I'm anxious about it. I usually take kava kava in small doses for anxiety. I need to know if it acts as a blood thinnner because if it does, I can't take it between now and then. Does anyone know for certain if it's safe/acts as a blood thinner/has any other side effects that would interfere with surgery? (I will be under a general anesthetic.) I have a prescription for anxiety (atavan) but I like the way the kava works better, so any thoughts would be appreciated!

thanks!

B

[Mountaingirl79]

I didnt want to read and not post, but I cant be of much help.

I have taken kava before surgery, but not the same day as the surgery. I took it to relieve the anxiety of the months of waiting for the actual surgery.

On surgery day I requested a xanax. It helped me, and honestly, I never thought of my weeks of kava tea leading up to it, or to ask.

[Harry's Mom]

Thanks!

Any one else got experience with it?

B

[Otto]

Kava may have an anticoagulent effect. It definitely can potentiate benzodiazepines, which I'd guess to be an equal concern, to say the least.

[Harry's Mom]

Ok, well I guess that means I need to skip it! Thank you!!!!!!!

B

[kavamamakava]

It lowers blood pressure - which may be undesirable right before surgery. You can try rescue remedy.