Upcoming hip replacement ..advice please!!

[Tapestry1057]

Hallo everyone. I really don’t know what to do for the best and would like your take on my situation. Have had PMR for over 3 years and am now eventually down to 1/2 mg where I have stayed for the last few months. I now, at long last have a date next month for my hip surgery but the last few days have developed sore upper arms and painful shoulders….am wondering if ‘my bucket’ has overflowed and not sure whether to go up 5 and then reduce or maybe just 1 and see how it goes. I feel really quite low about this as I am desperate to have this operation after such a long wait and my surgeon is quite happy with my 1/2 mg so come next month I really want to get back to that dose. I know I’ll get good advice so many thanks in advance.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Sounds as if your bucket’s overflowed -but by how much remains to be seen.

Perhaps consider an increase to say 2mg or 2.5mg - and see how things are. Not so difficult to get back down then, but should imagine your surgeon would still be contend with that dose….

Best of luck …

See this re surgery etc - if you haven’t already -

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk....

[Tapestry1057 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks so much DL…..just knew you would come up with advice. It’s surprising how a reply can make you feel so much better.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Tapestry1057]

Even better if you were already thinking the same 😊…

[suzy1959]

I have hd 2 hip and 2 knee replacements on Pred. and always been on 11mgs with no problems. I have always flared afterwards anyway, but the ops have all gone well. I think it is important that you are on enough pred as the body is having to deal with a trauma .

Good luck -hip replacements are very good and effective nowadays.

[Tapestry1057 in reply to suzy1959]

Your reply is so reassuring……many thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you were good at 1 or 2mg, I'd try taking 5mg for a few days and then drop back to 1mg and see how it goes. Even 2mg shouldn't interfere with the op - but a flare of PMR might affect your rehab. Others have had hips done at doses well above 2mg.

[Tapestry1057 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro for your advice. Am feeling much better mentally now about my situation after all the advice I’ve had. Was so worried my op would be cancelled and I know worrying doesn’t help so onwards and upwards now and fingers & toes crossed. What would I do without you all!!

[Retallack]

Had a hip replacement in May when I was on 5mg. Surgeon and anaesthetist were quite happy to proceed. Didn't have any problems and stayed on 5mg for an extra couple of months "just in case". Recommend you do exercises pre op - plenty on Youtube. You will be amazed at the result of the op. Good luck.

[Tapestry1057 in reply to Retallack]

Thanks for the reassurance Retailack, so glad your op went well. Am doing my pre op exercises ….so far so good.

[Posey1]

I cannot better the good advice given on here. I would just like to reassure you regarding the operation. I was on 5mg when I had my hip replacement in July. I stayed on that for an extra 2 weeks. I couldn't be happier with both the operation proceedure or the result. As everyone will advise, the exercises after are so important. All good wishes for a very successful outcome.

[Tapestry1057 in reply to Posey1]

So glad all went well with your op Posey 1. Am doing pre op exercises and will do exactly as I am told post op. Just love the reassurance and advice we get from this forum. Best wishes.

[oscarandchloe]

I too have had two recent hip ops, one in May and now the last one two weeks ago. I was on 5mg just before the May op. and as that went well with no flares afterwards, I stayed on that dose until the next op. The main point is to make sure all the medical staff know you are on steroids (I wear a medical bracelet 'Adrenal insufficiency'and insisted it stay on in theatre). You will see your anaesthetist just before the op and need to tell him in particular that your body will need support during the op, usually hydrocortisone. Then after the op they must give you your Pred. dose as per usual, together with all the other meds. You need to check they do this, I had a 'secret' stash of Pred just in case. Just had my staples out and I can hop around on one crutch.Neither hip op was as painful as I dreaded - and just think of the freedom! Good luck!

[Tapestry1057 in reply to oscarandchloe]

The more I hear about peoples experiences with hip ops the happier I feel so thank you for answering my query. Glad all went well for you.

[piglette]

I would up the dose for a week or so then drop down to a bit above the current dose. Are you worrying about the operation? The stress might be causing the PMR to cause problems.

[Tapestry1057 in reply to piglette]

Hi piglette….have upped my dose and think I’ll do that for about a week and then hopefully reduce. I wasn’t worried about the actual op….Just didn’t want it cancelled (I’ve waited so long) because I’d upped my pred but reading other replies I feel more positive even if I am a bit higher than my 1/2 mg.. Many thanks for your interest.

[Bella59]

I have had two hips replaced in the last year.First hip last year i had just came off pred.Surgeon wanted me off pred,before op.This year i was allowed to stay on 5mg,i upped it after op to help with RA and pmr pain which was beginning to affect shoulders.At the moment i am on 6mg but i am taking it very slowly.Both hips are doing well.Good Luck for your forthcoming op.

[Spirograph]

morning from Turre, Almeria where I was on holiday at end of October, from Scotland. This has been extended because of ‘missed 3 steps’ at family’s villa in the half light and ‘cadera rota muy mal’, badly broken hip, but clean break. In hospital, in Huercal Overa, for 6 days (emergency surgery), 24/10/22. fabulous surgeon, (a very good carpenter!) operated with epidural and now recuperating, progressed from walking frame to crutches. Back to hospital for X-ray and appt with surgeon Saul Cabanez on 29th November. (Bit of an extreme way to improve my Spanish, my niece said!)

Point is - had tapered down to 3.5 pred, which I told them in my ‘fractured’ Spanish, (forgive the pun!) before this ‘trauma’ and still on same. You will be fine.

Don’t stress and find Marissa’s Qi Gong and Dru Yoga, 15 min ‘daily routine’ to wake up your chi. A fab ‘destress’, on YouTube. Started it again, this week, though adapted at the moment. Also on youtube ‘great tips for hips’ such as make your own ‘leg lifter’, diy for ‘trouser pull upper’. 😂

Best wishes for upcoming surgery from ‘fellow hippy’. Catriona

[Tapestry1057 in reply to Spirograph]

Wow Catrina….that’s some holiday!! Loved reading your reply…made me laugh ( not at your misfortune!) Will look up your recommends re chi etc. All best wishes.

[Spirograph]

yes, the ‘rich tapestry of life’ and navigating the broken threads … but worse places to recuperate. 😀

Muy bonito

[Tapestry1057 in reply to Spirograph]

I’d like to say I feel sorry for you….but seeing the picture of the pool….not sure I can say that now🤣🤣 Make the most of the sunshine!!