Steroid injection and surgery

[Trishfrog1]

Hi all , I'm just wondering if anyone knows how long you have to wait after steroid injection in the bottom before having gallbladder removal I've been told operation will be in 2 to 3 mths unless a cancellation comes in.

But a friend said I'll have to wait 3mths now

[3LittleBirds2]

Hello, The best people to ask are the Medical professionals, but yes, I've been told approx 3 months after steroid use for Surgery. Good luck with your operation.

[Trishfrog1 in reply to 3LittleBirds2]

I've been told 4 wks and 6 wks .. from people who had the same ....just don't know what to think

[Madmusiclover in reply to Trishfrog1]

Phone and ask rheumatology.

[Trishfrog1 in reply to Madmusiclover]

Well he knew I was having op in 2 to 3mths as he told me to stop mtx two wks before ..and when id healed after op to start taking it again ...it's just a friend who's made me worry now .Surely he would know if it would stop me from having the operation .

[Amnesiac3637]

Don’t know where this has come from. You’d be lucky if an intramuscular injection of pred lasted 3 months anyway and most anaesthetists will give a cover of extra pred if you’re on it permanently so you don’t have any adrenal problems during surgery.

I’ve been on Pred for over 34 years and have had many i.m. Injections to boost me but never heard of not having an op til after three months of having one. In fact, not long before my second hip replacement, I had 120mgs shot as I was flaring badly. Had to stop my JAK -Baricitinib - at the the time for a fortnight before and resumed a fortnight after the surgery. Most people have to stop DMards and biologics but not steroids.

Your surgeon will be aware of what you’re on and what you shouldn’t be so when you go for your pre-op you’ll be given instructions as to when to take what or not. Hope it all goes well.

[Trishfrog1 in reply to Amnesiac3637]

That's brilliant thank you for your time

[bpeal1]

The person who has the final say about whether surgery can go ahead or not is the surgeon so contact them and ask.

[Runrig01]

Last year I had a bad knee injury, and had an appointment with my rheumatologist. I asked if he could do a steroid injection. He said No, as he was referring me to orthopaedics for possible surgery, and that the steroid would impact any potential surgery. He told me they generally like to wait 3 months, because the steroids reduce inflammation, which is required as part of the healing, and that the risk of infection is higher due to the steroid. I’d definitely contact the surgeon and ask them. It may be the advice I was given was because it was bone surgery, where the consequences of an infection can be catastrophic.

Saying that I have severe adrenal insufficiency, that was diagnosed after a severe stroke caused by an adrenal crisis. So I need extra steroid cover to prevent any further crisis. Although that is hydrocortisone, which is a short acting steroid, which is out the system in 6hrs

[Trishfrog1 in reply to Runrig01]

Yes seems to be people with joint operations..mines keyhole surgery

[Horse12345]

Hi Trishfrog1.... I am Not 100% on this but I think it Only applies to people that have a steroid injection in to a joint . If you have a joint injection then that joint can not be operated on for 6 months. I Know this because I regularly have them. And Am Currently waiting for a knee replacement. I hope this helps.

[Trishfrog1 in reply to Horse12345]

Thank you yes this seems to be right..I've seen a lot on the net and these people are having joint replacements.

[skinclinic]

All I can say is that I accomplished my husband to our GP this week for him to have a steroid injection into his very painful knee as he’s on the waiting list for s knee replacement and the pain is even waking him up several times in the night .

The GP pointed out though - that if his knee surgery date was to come up within 3 months of him having the steroid injection he would be refused his (long awaited ! ) surgery .

Apparently they cannot operate until 3 months have passed after having the steroid

He was offers pain relief via transdermal stick on patches ….. to be changed every 2 weeks and they have started him on a low dose at first

So far he’s had no issues with being woken up during the night anymore

Ok … he still has some pain but he’s coping far better now

Hope this helps

[Trishfrog1 in reply to skinclinic]

The thing is I've read that but seems to be if your having joint replacements done ...can delay healing.