For a printable PDF version of this information, click here.
Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.
If you are taking BLOOD THINNING MEDICATIONS, for your safety, it is recommended that you hold these prior to your procedure. You MUST check with your prescribing physician or anti-coagulation clinic for specific recommendations prior to stopping these medications. The following are general guidelines:
- Plavix (Clopidogrel) and Effient (Prasugrel) should be held for 7 days
- Coumadin (Warfarin) should be held for 5 days. You will need an INR drawn the day of, or the day before your procedure, and the results faxed to 617-983-7658. If you choose to have it drawn the day of your scheduled procedure, please arrive at the outpatient lab (located on the first floor) 1½ hours before your scheduled procedure.
- Brilinta (Ticagrelor) and Ticlid (Ticlopidine) should be held for 5 days.
- Arixtra (Fondaparinux Sodium) and Pradaxa (Dabigatran Etexilate) should be held for 4 days.
- Eliquis (Apixaban) and Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) should be held for 3 days.
- Lovenox (Enoxaparin) should be held for 24 hours.
- Heparin should be held for 8 hours.
If you are diabetic, you may eat breakfast and take your diabetic medications the morning of the procedure. Please check your blood glucose level the morning of the appointment and report it to the nursing staff. Please bring your glucose meter with you to the appointment in case your blood sugar needs to be rechecked.
If you are sick or have an infection, and are taking antibiotics, Please call and ask to speak to a nurse as your appointment may need to be rescheduled.
On the morning of your appointment:
- Please take all your medications unless listed above.
- Nothing to eat or drink for 2 hours before the procedure.
- For your safety, it is recommended that you have someone to drive you home after your procedure.
- If you are having a Stimulator Trial, nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours before the procedure. You are not allowed to drive yourself after the procedure, therefore you MUST have a responsible person to drive you home.
- Please bring an updated medication list to each appointment.
- Chemical Sensitivity: Scents may trigger responses in those with chemical sensitivities. Please avoid wearing scented personal products when visiting the Pain Management Center.
If you are running late, PLEASE call the Pain Management Center as your appointment may need to be rescheduled.
If you have any questions, please call 617-983-7080.
