shoulder replacement surgery while on prednisone

[Darkchocolate1]

has anyone had a joint replacement surgery while on around 14 mg prednisone? I am 75 have been on prednisone since Dec 2020 for PMR. How were complications after surgery? My rheumatologist wants me to take Leflunomide to help taper. I took methotrexate for 4 months got down to 10 1/2 mg and had to go back up to 14 mg. I have had several returns of pain while tapering. I am reluctant to have the surgery but am weary of constant pain 24/7 interfering with daily life . I am aware of the risks. Thank you all for input and sharing experiences.

[piglette]

My surgeon wanted me down to zero for my hip op. After negotiation we agreed in 5mg. I think he would probably have agreed to under 10mg if I had pushed it. After surgery my ESR went up to 412, so I was not allowed home, but I felt OK!

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to piglette]

Thanks for your helpful info. You always give good answers.

[oscarandchloe]

For recent hip replacement surgery I got myself down to 5mg Pred 3 months before, then stayed there. The surgeon was OK with this and left the anaesthetist to give me extra during surgery and then they upped dose for couple of days after. Absolutely no adrenal symptoms and as I have the second hip booked in for November (or earlier if there's cancellation) I'm thinking of just staying on the comfortable 5mg dose until all this is over.

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to oscarandchloe]

Thank you for your reply. Most encouraging. I hope your Nov surgery goes just like your first.

[Tiggy70]

I was due to have rotator cuff surgery on 6 July but Covid had other ideas. My surgery is now postponed until mid September. I’m on 8.5 mg and my surgeon was happy to go ahead. I wasn’t having a general anaesthetic but a nerve block and was booked in as a day patient.

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to Tiggy70]

Thank you for your reply. I hope your surgery goes well.

[Tiggy70]

Thankyou. Like you I don’t really want to have the surgery but being a full thickness tear it won’t heal by itself.

[AdoptMeow]

In 2019 I had a total hip replacement when I was on 15 mg pred. Did not take it the day before surgery, and the anesthesiologist gave a stress dose of steroids for the operation. Resumed 15 mg next day. After two weeks the surgeon was pleased with healing. Went up to 20 mg to deal with allergic reaction to Warfarin. Most surgeons would not want to take this risk. But to force someone off a low dose like 5 mg when the body is going through extreme stress sounds unwise.

[Darkchocolate1 in reply to AdoptMeow]

Thank you for your reply sharing your experience. I am at 13 1/2 one day then 14 mg prednisone the next. I see the surgeon next week . Glad it went OK for you.