Preds during and after operation.

[paintpots]

I am under going some cancer surgery next week which requires a general anesthetic and a couple of days in hospital. I am wondering what I should do about my prednisolone I am currently on 4mg reducing with the dead slow nearly stop plan to 3mg, and will be on week 5 with the plan when I have surgery. Is it wise to continue on the taper plan or should I stay at 4mg until after the surgery and see how I feel. I started the taper before the surgery was planned and it has been fast tracked.

[123-go]

Hello, paintpots. As your surgery will take place very soon it may be best to stay where you are and not consider tapering for some time after. There will be more informed opinions coming along.I hope your op goes well-best wishes.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I wouldn't push on with the taper and you need to speak to the anaesthetist about being a long term steroid patient so he knows to provide adrenal cover during the op. Then I would see how I felt post-op - it is a stress so the anaesthetist may well continue with the i.v. steroids for a day or so and that would also help manage the PMR. But if it causes a flare - you may need to up the oral pred. Difficult to say in advance.

All the best though xxx

[paintpots in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks. I was thinking it would be wise to not continuing with the taper and you have confirmed it. I will have a chat about my long term use of steroids with the surgical team. I will monitor my PMR when I am discharged, I had a flare with the vaccine booster so I am expecting some reaction from the anesthetics.Thank you both for your best wishes.

Paintpots.

[paintpots]

Hi. I had my operation last week and 4 days in hospital. They doubled my pred to 8mg for 2 days then back to 4mg for 3 weeks before I continue with a taper. I am going back to the start of the dead slow taper. Pleased to say I have not had a flare due to stress or surgery. I was worried that I might have a flare but the hospital were on the ball with the press. By the time I start the dead slow nearly stop taper I should be well on the road back to normal.

Paint pots.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to paintpots]

Brilliant!