Anti-Anxiety (Xanax) Before Surgery

[Jacob Wall]

Hi,

I am having surgery next week. As the date has come closer I am becoming more anxious and unable to sleep. During the day, I am fine, but at night I lay awake freaking out. I asked my surgeon, although have not filled, for my options for anti-anxiety medication prior to surgery. Being that Xanax is a prescription you have to drive to pick up the script pad, I wouldn't even be able to pick it up until Monday. Am I able to take Xanax, and I would not pick it up if I can't, Monday - Wednesday before my surgery Thursday morning? Three doses is all I would be looking at receiving. If that is not legal, do I have any alternative options that would allow me to maintain my medical (or, at least not have a deferral in excess of six weeks which is my recovery time) that would control my anxiety?

Thank you ahead of time,
Jacob Wall

 

[Alanna]

Hey, that sucks. You could call an AME and ask about your situation. That being said, your priority right now should be to take care of your health. You're not sleeping and you're stressed, and both of those things are going to make recovery from surgery harder on your body (and I can tell you -- surgery is a cakewalk, but recovery sucks. Try to make it as easy for yourself as possible). Plus, you're going to be getting drugs before (note: usually a benzodiazepine, so effectively a drug very much like Xanax), during, and after surgery that preclude your ability to fly for a while anyway. You can take care of your medical once you're well, but you have to give yourself a chance to get well first!

 

[exneophyte]

I don't think the good doctor is on the forum anymore, but here is a similar situation where he did comment:
http://forums.jetcareers.com/threads/xanax.90636/

amjon asked:

I know Xanax is one of the medications that is not approved by the FAA. I will probably have to have some dental work done soon and none of the dentists around here use gas anymore. A few years ago I had to take one Xanax on the day I had blood drawn to help me get over a bad experience I had before. If I ask the dentist to write me a prescription for one xanax and only take it on the day I have work done would I have to wait the six months to get a medical?

Dr Forred Responded:

No, just wait 24 hours after the dental procedure and you will be good to go.

Good luck!