Pre Procedure Instructions
- Stimulator trials are performed in an ambulatory surgery center under conscious sedation (anesthesia). Expect to avoid eating and drinking for several hours before the procedure – the ambulatory surgical center will inform you of specific guidelines.
- The following medications are “blood thinners” of one sort or another and must be avoided before the procedure:
Aspirin
Aspirin and all aspirin containing medications (Anacin, Ascriptin, Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin, Excedrin, Pentasa, and others) – Stop 7 days prior to your procedure. All medications listed below should be stopped 3 days prior to your procedure:
| NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories) | Choline and Magnesium Salicylates |
|---|---|
| Choline salicylate (Arthropan) | CMT |
| Diclofenac potassium (Cataflam) | Tricosal |
| Diclofenac sodium (Voltaren, Voltaren XR) | Trilisate |
| Diclofenac sodium with misoprostol (Arthrotec) | |
| Diflunisal (Dolobid) | |
| Etodolac (Lodine, Lodine XL) | |
| Fenoprofen calcium (Nalfon) | |
| Flurbiprofen (Ansaid) | |
| Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, Motrin IB, Nuprin) | |
| Indomethacin (Indocin, Indocin SR) | |
| Ketoprofen (Actron, Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail) | |
| Magnesium salicylate (Arthritab, Bayer Select, Doan’s Pills, Magan, Mobidin, Mobogesic) | |
| Meclofenamate sodium (Meclomen) | |
| Mefenamic acid (Ponstel) | |
| Nabumetone (Relafen) | |
| Naproxen (Naprosyn, Naprelan) | |
| Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox) | |
| Oxaprozin (Daypro) | |
| Piroxicam (Feldene) | |
| Salsalate (Amigesic, Anaflex 750, Disalcid, Marthritic, Mono-Gesic, Salflex, Salsitab) | |
| Sodium salicylate (various generics) | |
| Sulindac (Clinoril) | |
| Tolmetin sodium (Tolectin) |
| Warfarin (Coumadin) | Low molecular weight heparin: Enoxaparin (Lovenox) | Dabigatran |
| Acenocoumarol | Dalteparin | Rivaroxaban (Xarelto) |
| Heparin | Fondaparinux | Apixaban (Eliquis) |
| Clopidogrel | Edoxaban | |
| Prasugrel | Abciximab | |
| Ticagrelor | Eptifibatide | |
| Cangrelor | Tirofiban |
3. You will need to be driven home from the procedure. A friend or family member should be present to hear instructions on the operation of the stimulator after the procedure.