Flare Six weeks after surgery

[Bobbikins]

I had surgery for a triple fracture in my wrist eight weeks ago And despite being in pain I felt well on my usual dose of 20 mg prednisolone.

Six weeks after the surgery I started to feel I was having a flare with exhaustion and aching muscles.

Any feedback from anybody else has had surgery?

[Bobbikins]

Sorry should’ve said 3 mg pred daily

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bobbikins]

You can edit your original post you know? Click on the bit that says more and you get edit as an option.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Strange it has taken so long to manifest - especially as you are on such a low dose at 3mg as that suggests the disease activity was very low.

Even just a simple fall is recognised to be enough to trigger a flare - something that caused a triple fracture and need surgery must have been some crash!!!

[SnazzyD]

Could it be a virus?

[suzy1959]

I have had 4 surgeries over the last 2.5 years. I have always been on 11 mgs Pred. and have always flared about 6 weeks post-op. For this last knee replacement, I had to increase my dose 3 times before it finally calmed down!

[marigoldb]

I had open heart surgery just over a year ago, and did not need to increase, from 3 mg, though they may have given me IV while in hosp. However just weeks ago, down to 2mgs became achy, more tired, upped to 5mg and fine again. It certainly has a will of its own this PMR.

So in a month I’ll start the slow decent once more! Such fun! I don’t think!

[Bobbikins in reply to marigoldb]

I find each time that I try to go below 3 mg The inflammation creeps back gradually. My Rheumatologist told me to stay on 3 mg rather than keep trying to reduce and having flares.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bobbikins]

Has she changed her mind then? A few months ago you said she'd told you to reduce to 1mg because of Covid.

[Bobbikins in reply to PMRpro]

Consistency wasn’t her strongest point. I no longer have a rheumatologist as she discharged me a couple of months ago (probably due to long waiting lists on NHS).

I can feel the PMR creeping back, having been pretty well symptom-free on 3 mg before surgery. Not sure whether to knock it on the head now or wait and see if it reduces as I’ve had a cold.

Do you have any advice? I haven’t spoken to the GP as I’m not sure how conversant they are with PMR.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bobbikins]

Don't wait - I'd try 5mg. It is still a low dose and preferable to needing to go much higher. But if 5mg still isn't enough deep discussion with the GP needed unless you don't have to beg for repeat scripts.

[Bobbikins in reply to PMRpro]

How long should I stay on 5mg?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bobbikins]

If it is plenty you should feel the difference within a few days. Up to 7 days you can drop back to (say) 3mg without tapering slowly.

[Bobbikins in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your advice. I will try that for a week. Fingers crossed it works

[marigoldb]

guess he or she is right, but I’d love to get off the pred! Been on it years and years, and this is the second time round too.