Pred Before Surgery

[Retallack]

I am due to have replacement hip surgery soon and one of the instructions pre op is not to have anything to drink that contains milk 6 hours before my admittance time of 7.30am. I am having a spinal block, not general anaesthetic. I normally have my pred about 7am with a yoghurt so what is your advice please ? I am on 3mg and intend to stay on this until I am on the road to recovery. Thanks all.

[SheffieldJane]

I would want to ensure that the surgeon and anaesthetist had a say in what I was doing about Prednisalone. The anaesthetist may want to administer an appropriate dose by injection. A number of people will be along who have been through this. I hope your operation is a wonderful success. I have heard nothing but positive reports of how life enhancing it is. 💐

[MrsNails]

Hi, have you been for your Pre Op Assessment yet? You will be given hydrocortisone cover while you are having your surgery so as Jane says please ensure your Surgeon & Anaesthetist are aware you take steroids. I took all my Meds as usual with water on the day of my Surgery up to a couple of hours before.

It’s milk they don’t like you to have - would you manage without yogurt for one day?

Here’s some info you may find helpful - Good Luck with your Surgery 🍀

MrsN

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Retallack in reply to MrsNails]

Thank you. Yes I would manage without the yoghurt for 1 day.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

As stated check with hospital - you can usually take medication with water -or drinks they give you pre op - and probably 3mg of Pred is okay without yogurt for once. Good luck with op!

[suzy1959]

I have had 2 hip replacements with a spinal block. My anaesthetist said I could take the usual pred. In the morning with water. No problems. Then they will give you a steroid infusion. The way that is done can vary between anaesthetists. Don’t worry, they have got these ops down to a fine art and they work very well!

[piglette]

I took my pred at midnight when I had my hip op. I had to be at the hospital at 7.00am and it meant leaving home at 6am. I had a spinal, but they like you to not eat anything beforehand in case they have to revert to a general anaesthetic although it is highly unlikely.

[Bella59]

I had hip replaced six months ago and took all meds as usual with water.Having no food did not bother me at all.I was given spinal and had steroid infusion.Good luck with operation I myself am going for other hip replacement in eleven days.

[Retallack]

Thanks everyone. Feeling confident now !

[ncfaaeos]

May I ask those of you who have had a hip replacement whether you know if there is a limit to the dose taken at the time of the operation?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to ncfaaeos]

Better with a new post - people don't always read the additions in a thread.

Depends very much on the surgeon - some are fussier than others,

[Bella59 in reply to ncfaaeos]

I myself had to come off steroids when I had hip replacement six months ago.Will be getting other hip done in ten days was allowed to stay on 5mgs prednisolone this time.I think surgeon realised how bad I was at first operation .My methotrexate was stopped for three weeks also.It is really up to your surgeon.I was giving steroid Injection during op and one later on.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Bella59]

It is all very well them wanting the PMR patient off pred - but they also need you to a) cope with the stress of the op and that means adrenal function must be considered and b) be able to mobilise post op and you won't if your PMR is flaring because the pred management has been disturbed,

To make a long term pred patient stop pred altogether for surgery is tantamount to medical negligence if you ask me - it puts them at risk of an adrenal crisis, never mind a flare.

[Bella59 in reply to PMRpro]

Exactly came off prednisolone March last year after tapering.A couple weeks later pain came back was told by rheumatologist not polymyalgia,not showing in bloods.I had x Ray late Feb I was told by Gp surgery that I had mild Arthritis in hips.Seen consultant rheumy last July she done ultrasound on upper arms I did indeed have poly back.I was put back on prednisolone 20mg for only ten weeks had to reduce surgeon wanted me off prednisolone for hip operation in September.It was rheumy that told me I had moderate arthritis in May.I was then referred to Orthopaedics for hip replacement as I consulted gp.I was in a lot of pain so knew I would need to go private to get first operation which I did.Waiting lists are long I seen nhs orthopaedic registrar in January2022 was advised it would be 12-18 months before I was likely to get other hip operation.So having to use savings as hip is now severe can hardly get about house on crutches.I think surgeon seen how immobile I was last operation and let me stay on 5mg.After operation on first I told him I needed to go back on 20mg prednisolone to get things under control he was only going to give me 10mg but I explained I needed help to try and get more mobile and recover from surgery.I am very pleased with recovery from first op hopefully next will go as well.Thanks for your words you have helped many people on this forum.