Well after waiting almost a year, I saw the neurosurgeons at Sheffield Royal Hallamshire. The consultant offered me some bleak options, have cervical spine surgery or my symptoms will get worse and I won’t be able to get back to how I am now! I have cervical myelopathy and spinal stenosis, with osteophytes pushing into my spinal cord. Surgery should be within the next 6-8 weeks.
I’m currently taking Leflunomide and Hydroxychloroquine and spoke to the Rheumy nurse yesterday about whether I stop them for surgery. She suggested I ask at the pre-op assessment which is next week.
I’m feeling quite anxious as the risks are a bit scary but I don’t want to end up in a wheelchair from the spinal problems . The journey to Sheffield is also over two hours so it means more trips and my hubby struggles with the drive. When I have to operation, he is going to stay over in a hotel, which will help.
Has anyone else had to stop these meds when having Surgery?
Thanks
Kati xxx
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Kati66
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I don’t know I have no experience of such a big operation. I’ve only had a much smaller one on my foot. I just wanted to say I hope all goes well and I hope your feeling a bit less shocked now.Good luck.
Thank you 😊. Yes, I just want it done so I can start making plans again. We have put off going away while waiting for my neck to be sorted. I hope to go to Japan next year with my son 🤞🏻🤞🏻😁😁. Xx
Fingers crossed my husband is in a similar situation . I don't know about our holiday as all paid for now but my son and wife can change names and go. Japan sounds great we are hopeful Cypress is still ok in May but it's far from certain. I hate the plans in the air and have suggested let's just say no and go in October. I've bought the beach stuff so must use surely !lol xx
I was due to have a knee replacement last year (long story) but in my pre op the surgeon said to stop the methotrexate 2 weeks before the op date, and hydroxychloroquine the day before, and then I couldn’t restart the mtx until my wound was healed.
Good luck with your surgery. I too have spinal stenosis.
It seems the doctors vary in whether we should stop our RA meds. I will ask the consultant’s secretary and see if she can find out. Spinal stenosis is horrid isn’t it xxx
Hi Kati, it is a big operation but sounds quite urgent, so good not too long to wait. I have had three c spine neurosurgeries, (fusion from C1 to T1 now) which were also urgent due to instability from RA. They all went well luckily and I'm very grateful to the neurosurgeon and team.I was on biologics(Enbrel) and methotrexate and had to stop two weeks before surgery. I was also on oral prednisolone for the second and third op, so this was doubled to help me through the shock of surgery.
Yes, ask at the pre op assessment re the meds and write down any questions, maybe give your rheumy a call via their Secretary to get their opinion too as surgeons aren't always the most knowledgeable about our drugs.
This will be my second cervical spine surgery as I had C4/5 and C5/7 fused four years ago. I’m going to contact the surgeon’s secretary about stopping meds as I called my Rheummy nurse and she said ask the neurosurgeon. I really hope this op helps as the symptoms are worse this time. I will now have a matching scar on the other side of my neck! 🙄 I recovered well from the last surgery but was diagnosed with RA 1.5 years ago, so that’s in the mix now too.
I have been told by various surgeons over the last 22 years to stop MTX before surgery.
Also, I had subluxation of C3 onto C4 with myelopathy and spinal stenosis back in 2002. I was told then I was an urgent case but would have to wait 3 months on the NHS. Heaven knows how long the wait would be now.
I had a laminoplasty and fixation C3-C6 done privately, paid for by my in laws. I felt held to ransom and had 2 young children at primary school and couldn't take further risks.
It’s not nice having to wait, knowing that this condition can potentially paralyse you! 😱😱 the neurologist referred me in April 2023 but the letter got lost! So they only began processing me in August! Fingers crossed the op comes soon 🤞🏻🤞🏻xxx
I agree. I was told the same, one trip and I could have been paralysed or worse, but if you cross my palm with silver (£8,500) then I will do your neurosurgery next week!
One thing hopefully in your favour might be there are less patients waiting for neurosurgery like yours than for hip and knee replacements. Good luck!
I have had RA and OA for the last 50 + years and have had a number of operations. The latest operation I had last October was for Spinal Stenosis to my lower back. It has been very successful although I am still recovering to regain my walking ability and unfortunately I ended up with a DVT. Because of this DVT I have been taken off of one of my anti inflammatories which hasn’t helped my Arthritis. However overall it has been a great success as the surgeon said if I hadn’t had it done I would have lost the power to walk again. I wish you all the best and a speedy recovery.
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Appointment with consultant (finally!!)
Finally got a begrudging referral!!
Got an appointment! 
Finally got a date for ACDF surgery
Had my rheumy appointment. 
