General Anaesthetic While Taking Prednisolone

[Maur1]

I have been told I need a hernia repair operation involving general anaesthetic. I am presently taking 9mg Prednisolone daily and wonder if it is safe to have the operation. Has anyone had experience of this? I have had Temporal Arteritis since March 2016 and was down to 2mg Prednisolone daily when I had a flare-up and the dose was increased to 20mg but now down to 9mg. I'd be grateful for any advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

People have had hip replacements and as far as I know with full anaesthetic.

It is something to discuss with the surgeon and the anaesthetist. You are on a dose that is about the same amount of corticosteroid as your body makes naturally so there souldn't be much in the way of healing problems but who knows. They will monitor you for adrenal problems so that isn't a problem.

[Maur1 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you.

[Jankie]

Hi there. I had a general anaesthetic 2 years ago whilst taking 6 mg pred. No problems. Just inform the anaesthetist

[Maur1 in reply to Jankie]

Thank you.

[Jankie in reply to Maur1]

Best of luck

[Hidden]

I had a Mastectomy & they gave me Hydrocortisone Cover in Theatre, mention it to your Surgeon but the person who needs to know is your Anaesthetist!

Every time they asked my name & date of birth (which they did often) l mentioned l was the lady on Prednisolone!

Best of Luck 🍀

[Maur1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your advice.

[Nap1]

Had knee replaced. It was fine. Just get shot of Cortisone before and after and watch for infection.

[Rancho]

As has been said a discussion with surgeon and anaesthetist is needed and make sure even on the day of the op you mention it as the anaesthetist seemed unaware despite my mentioning it on at least two occasions to the Consultant and pre op assessment nurse. I’ve had pmr for 8 years and GCA for 5 although now doubting the GCA as it presents with double vision and some of the GCA symptoms but now does not respond to pred at 60 or even 80mg. Possibly it’s 4th nerve palsy.

I had an umbilical hernia repair at the end of November last year on a fast track basis as it was strangulated. I was on 10mg of pred and they gave me intravenous hydrocortisone during the op, but the anaesthetist said I probably didn’t need it but because I’d mentioned it he would give me some!

20 min op and having gone in at 8am I was discharged at 11.30am. The bruising was extensive due I guess to the effects of pred and was the size of a football around my belly button. The wound was not sore and I took no painkillers but it was a bit difficult to get out of bed for the first week as the bruising was painful when you tightened your core to get up.

As advised I avoided lifting heavy items for 4-6 weeks and now 12 weeks later I’m resuming golf which I’ve left longer than probably necessary as didn’t want to put too much pressure on with the twisting and turning involved in the golf swing.

For me a positive experience and no longer need to worry about the hernia strangulation but each case is individual so do discuss fully with the health professionals.

[Maur1 in reply to Rancho]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Hope you get the double vision matter resolved. My hernia is either femoral or inguinal. Did you have laparoscopic or open surgery?

[Rancho]

Thanks. I had open surgery which has left a small hardly noticeable scar about 1” long. They put a permanent stitch to repair the hernia and dissolvable glue on the incision.

[Roy46]

I had an emergency operation to remove an abscess last year. It required a general anaesthetic. I was on 12mgs of pred. It was a success with no ill effects. Hope that helps

[Maur1 in reply to Roy46]

Thanks for info. Glad it turned out well.

[cctraveler]

Hi, Maur1. I had general anesthesia last August for back surgery (on 8 mg at the time). I spoke to anesthetist just prior to surgery, and he said he would give me a little extra cortisone intra-op to prevent a flare. No flare, no problems. It was reassuring to speak to him just prior to the procedure.

[Patience47]

General anaesthetic two months ago, and no problems.

[Lara119 in reply to Patience47]

Hi there

How much Prednisolone was you taking prior to your operation.

[Maur1]

Thank you so much to everyone for your info and advice.

[Bailybiscuit]

I was due to have my hip replaced whilst on 20mg pred. I questioned it as I had heard some surgeons won't operate on someone on that dose. I was told they do it all the time, it was no problem. When it came to it I was offered to have it done at a different hospital and for hips they do heavy sedation and a spinal anesthetic. I was also told I may not heal as well but everything healed as it should and in the same time, so I was lucky.

[Maur1 in reply to Bailybiscuit]

Thanks for your information.