Foot op due in May

[Geordieland]

Morning lovely people ! 2 questions for you ...I am due to have a bunion op on 8th May and am presently on 5mg of Prednisolone due to reduce to 4 and a half mg in 2 weeks . Should I stay on 5mg until after the op to keep a level that I know I’m ok on ? Second question , my second Covid jab is booked for 3 days before the op ....I read that surgeons would require “ a few” days space , or possibly a week , after a jab in case of high temperature etc reactions - is my 3 days enough or should I try to rearrange my jab ? Many thanks for your time reading this 👍

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I certainly would stick at 5mg - one very good PMR rheumy likes to keep his patients at 5mg for up to 9 months which is low enough to allow the adrenal function to catch up a bit and finds that the onward journey is very often simpler as a result.

As far as the jab is concerned, I would ring the surgeon's team immediately and ask their advice. That date for the op is not fixed in stone and it would be a shame to have passed up the essential second Covid shot and then discover they have to postpone the op when dealt with now either they say it is fine and leave it as it is or move your date now.

[Geordieland in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you ! My consultant’s secretary is on leave until Tuesday but will give her a ring then . Will defo keep at 5mg until we’ll after the op 👍 Have a happy Easter 🐣

[SnazzyD]

If it was me I wouldn’t rock the boat and for the want of 0.5mg for a bit longer I’d stay on 5mg. The surgeon or anaesthetist may have their own ideas and perhaps some extra on the day.Re the vaccine. I think 3 days is a bit close if they want clear water between that and the op. I have three friends whose fever didn’t really kick in until day 3. I can see why they want it distanced, because they need to know if the fever is due to infection or vaccine or some other upset.

[Geordieland in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks 👍 I think you’re right on both counts - will try to get my surgery to reorganise my second jab ( that will need all the stars and moons aligning to get them to act 🙄 !! ) but at least I’ve got a few weeks to try 😊 ! Happy Easter 🐣

[GCAVictim]

I had a general anaesthetic in January on 40mg Prednisone. The surgeon told me not to have the tablets as he would administer it in theatre.Not sure why🤔

Hope your operation goes well, I had both feet operated on to remove bunions a few years ago, made such a difference.

[Geordieland in reply to GCAVictim]

Thanks for your reply 👍 Will have to be guided by the medics on the day but will stay at 5mgs at the moment - glad your ops were successful - fingers crossed I’ll be able to wear more normal footwear once the bunion has gone 🤞😊 Happy Easter 🐣

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to GCAVictim]

Giving steroid i.v. during an operation is standard practice for patients on long term pred to cover for potential adrenal insufficiency

[Geordieland in reply to PMRpro]

Ok - thanks for that info - good to know 👍