Oh dear! It must be a flare.

[suzy1959]

I am having a knee replacement later on today. I have therefore not been reducing the Pred. for quite a while- on 11mgs. However, I think I have been in denial(yet again) that I am having a flare as I have been having a lot of pain and trouble sleeping, whilst doing next to nothing for the last couple of weeks. So I was woken up this morning at 2:30 with a very sore head, neck, legs, back, shoulders etc.

I have finally realised this is a flare so have shoved 15mgs into my body and will be sure to tell the anaesthetist.For my hip replacement, I had a steroid infusion afterwards, so perhaps he will up the dose this time?

What a time to get a flare! But actually it is not that surprising as this year so far, my father has died, I had to arrange the funeral and everything because my mother has dementia, then my OH and I had a horrible virus, added to which have been my massive knee pains ( both knees need replacing)

Wish me luck for the operation!

[vicky561]

Good luck on your surgery. I had my knee surgery 3 yrs ago and I was glad I had it done. Don't get me wrong it hurt like H**l but if you do the physical therapy you will get through it. I will be praying for you 🙏. Sorry about your dad I lost my mother Dec 12th 2018 and I miss her so much... 💔😭

[Rose54]

Good Luck

Let us know how things go

[Mary63]

Good luck! I had my knee replaced on Tuesday. Going home today. Anaesthetist gave me extra hydrocortisone, and all was well. Everyone says if you do the physio exercises you end up with a far better result. It’s v painful to do them at the moment..

Has 15mg pred helped your PMR symptoms? What do you plan to do now re dosage? Stay there a couple of days and then come down to 12 or so?

So sorry to hear about your family situation.....very stress you poor thing.

[suzy1959 in reply to Mary63]

Thanks, Mary63, I'm glad you are through the op. I just want to get on with it! I have taken 15 mgs this morning and probably will for the 3 days in hospital and then see how I go.

[Mary63 in reply to suzy1959]

Sounds a good idea.

[Hidden in reply to Mary63]

Hope all is going well with your recovery Mary, it’s always worth taking your Pain Meds at least 20minutes before you start your Physio.

Best Wishes 💐

MrsN x

[Mary63 in reply to Hidden]

I am taking a HUGE cocktail of pain meds! Thanks for your advice Mrs N

[Hidden in reply to Mary63]

Keep Well 💐

[Hidden]

Good Luck for your Surgery 🍀 Speak to the Anaesthetist, as he’s the Chap looking after you in Theatre.

I had 100mg Hydrocortisone in theatre, 100mg through the night & they rang my Rheumatologist the following morning to ask her what dose she’d like me on & she increased me to 10mg from 7.5mg for two weeks.

Best of Luck 🍀

MrsN

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Good luck......it will be fine. As you know I had mine done last July, and don’t even think about it now. Had my hip replaced this Jan, and have to say I found hip recovery less painful than knee so take all the help (medication) you need.

Do the exercises, but don’t overdo things! x

[Marijo1951]

I hope your knee operation goes well. I haven't any personal experience that I can share, but I have a dear friend who had both her knees replaced a couple of years ago and within a short time she was back playing badminton twice a week and jitterbugging and jiving with her 1940s dance group.

[suzy1959 in reply to Marijo1951]

Well, that would take a miracle as I have never been that fit!!

[Marijo1951 in reply to suzy1959]

I know what you mean. She's always put me to shame...

[scats]

Definitely tell the anaesthetist, he will probably ask any way. I was in a similar position when I had my hip replaced. Wishing you all the best, time to think of yourself now.

[Louisepenygraig]

I'm sorry about your flare, it sounds as if you've had a really stressful time. I hope all goes well with your operation.

[SheffieldJane]

Oh poor you Suzy! I am sorry that your dad died and you are going through all that bereavement brings!

Your responsibilities regarding your mum can be very draining as I know from personal experience.

Then a virus - everyone seems below par right now. Your body is trying to get you out of the ordeals, but you are pressing on.

No wonder you feel flare-like. I think your plan for the operation is sound. Let everyone know ( several times). I hope it goes really smoothly and your recuperation is not too hard. I have heard great reports of the life enhancing properties of this procedure. 🌸🌺🌸🌺🍀

[Marilyn1959]

Good Luck with op. I had a shoulder replacement op over Christmas and was neurotic about my pred! They were brilliant though and PMR was managed very well throughout my stay. I had to have steroids intravenously for five days as there was delay in op and I was nil by mouth for four nights running.

I took my own pred in with me so that I could self medicate as soon as I was well enough. This enabled me to take it at the time I wanted to rather than waiting for med rounds.

Hope all goes well for you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Sorry to hear about your father and the rest of the trials.

And faced with all that you continued reducing your dose! It isn't always a good idea to forge ahead with reduction before surgery because if you then flare post-op mobilisation may be a bit difficult!!

All the best for the op.

[suzy1959 in reply to PMRpro]

To clarify, I did not reduce the pred. For the very reasons you state. But thanks for the reminder!

[Jackoh]

So sorry Suzy1959 that you are facing another hurdle with your flare. Hope the operation went well. Keep us informed of your progress. Xx

[Patience47]

ATB

[Valbee]

Hello Suzy, I didn't see your post yesterday but I hope all has gone well with your knee replacement. Hopefully now the stress of the op. is over the PMR will not be so active.

[suzy1959]

Thank you everyone for your replies.

The op went well and I only had to have a partial replacement. I am currently on a steroid infusion, and ok PMR wise.

Feeling very little pain as I also had a nerve block which is wearing off slowly. I keep wondering what it will be like when it wears off completely! Should be in for another 2 days and already doing my exercises.

I still have another knee waiting for replacement but that will be a bigger job. Nevertheless this knee was the more painful, so I am really hoping that it will make a difference to my mobility.

[Hidden in reply to suzy1959]

Thanks for the Update Suzy, Good Luck 🍀 now with your Physio & your Recovery.

Best Wishes 💐

MrsN