Flare after surgery

[Pinkcuffs]

Any advice please? I had a hip replacement 5 weeks ago and was jogging along OK but then decided I probably needed a new mattress, as I woke up barely unable to get out of bed in the morning because my hips/back were so stiff and painful.

It took me some days to realise it might be a PMR flare. But eventually I tried increasing my dose from 5mg which I'd been at for sometime pre surgery to 10mg. The effect was almost instant. I've been taking 10mg a day for 4 days now and am wondering how long I should give it before returning to my usual 5mg dose. Exercising the hip has to be my priority at the moment, and it's so much easier with the increased dose.

Any advise gratefully received.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You can take it for up to about 10 days and return straight to the previous dose. Not sure I would get back to 5 straight away though as it obviously wasn't quite enough. It can take quite a while to mount up enough inflammation to feel it, even 1/4mg too little will do it sooner or later.

[Pinkcuffs in reply to PMRpro]

Many thanks.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

This contains usual advice for treating a flare -healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Hope the hip continues to improve...

[Pinkcuffs in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. I shall keep that to hand.

[piglette]

I personally would drop in two steps to make sure everything is OK. If you feel OK now I would drop back to 6 or 7mg, see how I feel over a few days then drop down again. Keep up the exercises, they will really pay off. I had a bad flare after my first hip replacement. It does seem to happen quite often.

[Pinkcuffs in reply to piglette]

Thanks. I'll see how I go. I'm optimistic. The Hip replacement seems to have gone very well. I've just got to calm the PMR down.

[piglette in reply to Pinkcuffs]

My ESR went up to 412 after my hip op!

[Posey1]

I had a hip replacement on 17th June. Like you I am also on 5mg pred. Although my hip feels ok, I too wake with a very stiff back. I have put this down to having to sleep on my back as advised, which I'm not used to doing. As my shoulders aren't affected I haven't considered a PMR flare. Maybe if it doesn't improve I shall.Best wishes for your recovery.

Pat.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Posey1]

Would say more likely different sleeping position… but you should be able to get back to normal in a week or so (?) after 6 week check.Perhaps try paracetamol or topical gel for back - that may give you answer as to cause.

[Posey1 in reply to DorsetLady]

I'm sure you're right DL. The advice you gave re hip replacement was so helpful. I was so lucky to have got a cancellation with 2 weeks notice after being told a 6-12 months wait a few weeks earlier after a pre op assessment! As you said, a far easier recovery than expected for what has been done. I was fortunate to have only needed painkillers for 3 days....as my Mum used to say, ' where there's no sense there's no feeling!'Very best wishes to you.

Pat 💐

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Posey1]

Good, hear to hear it…

[Pinkcuffs in reply to Posey1]

Yes, I found sleeping on my back a bit of a torture but reverting to my side sleeping is OK now and does help.

[Retallack]

I had my hip replacement 11weeks ago and had the exact same problem. Lower back pain waking me up in the morning, not being used to sleeping on my back and still a bit sore to sleep on my non operated side. My pain completely disappears as soon as I get up. Giving it another week then considering adding 5 mgs to my present 2.5mgs. Keep up the exercising as it does help The hip to recover. Good luck and let me know how you get on with the upping dose then tapering. 🌝

[Moruya]

You could maybe try sleeping on your good side and place pillows between your legs to keep your leg level with hip .it'll help with pain.