Surgery if in a flare

[Poppypig]

Hi All, flare feels imminent but having surgery on Wednesday. Will they still do the surgery mid flare?

[GlasgowHen]

I guess it depends on what surgery you are having. For bigger operations they do bloods beforehand so if they are really off they may postpone it.

Surgery can set off a flare so if you feel you might be brewing one anyway it might be worth postponing it. That said I had major surgery when vasculitis was being queried and I was very symptomatic. I was given extra steroids and it went ahead anyway.

[Poppypig in reply to GlasgowHen]

Thank you, I'm having a mastectomy and lymph nodes removal. I didn't know surgery could set off a flare😟

[panda2 in reply to Poppypig]

Oh Poppypig,

That is a big surgery and sounds like a necessity -- cancer? So awfully sorry you're having this at all. They will probably do what they did with rolybear and give you lots of steroids. Cancer trumps flares -- depending on the flare of course. I suspect if it was a flare affecting organs it could be the other way around..? Such a tricky situation you are in. If it's all a-go, it will be so important that you are watched carefully. Have you been advised to go off your meds pre-surgery? Because this can start a flare reaction all by itself.

Please let us know how this all goes for you. I will think of you on Wednesday.

Panda x 🤗🤗

[AgedCrone in reply to Poppypig]

I have RA not Lupus & I had surgery for breast cancer & had lymph nodes removed mid flare....I didn’t have to stop meds..

That was 12 years ago. After surgery I had 6 weeks RT & it all went OK.

Back then they removed all lymph nodes so I’m left with an immune compromised arm...no injections, infusions BP on that arm....but it has not caused me any problems...I have a perfectly usable arm.

Good Luck with your surgery......I’m sure procedures will have improved in the interim!

[Poppypig in reply to AgedCrone]

Hi AgedCrone, sorry only just seen this. Didnt have a flare and think the hydroxychloroquine is working much to my relief. Many thanks

[AgedCrone in reply to Poppypig]

That’s good.....now just look forward to a good recovery!