Looks like I’m facing back surgery again should I hold at 9mg of prednisone?

[singingloud]

Good morning,

Yesterday I received my report and X-rays of my lower spine. It shows that one of the Coflex devices has dislodged in my back. I’ve had pain for most of the past 16 months since they were inserted. Was told it could take a year to recover so I waited. But the pain down my legs and directly on my spine have only increased.

So do I stop my dead slow taper from 9.5-9mg ? I’m almost done with the taper. But I’ve noticed an increase of pain in my shoulders and upper arms.

I have several things going on in my life so to add this news in could push me over the edge.

Thanks for any advice! You all have saved me several times over the years.

[MrsNails]

l definitely would not continue the taper - you don’t need any extra stress & if it were me l’d go back to 10mg for simplicity - just two tablets - no cutting up & messing with 4x1mg; 1x0.5mg & a 5mg

Let the Anaesthetist know what dose you are one & they will give you Hydrocortisone Cover while you’re in Theatre.

Good luck with your Surgery 🍀

MrsN

[singingloud in reply to MrsNails]

Thanks so much. Sounds like a good plan. I’m in the midst of trying to get my mom into an assisted living facility for her dementia and my husband is facing to major surgeries this winter or spring. I’m sure I’m overwhelmed at this time so it’s a good idea to go back to 10mg. Thanks

[MrsNails in reply to singingloud]

Anything to make it simpler - you have an awful lot going on & simple is best.

Take one thing at a time - try n get Mum sorted then you won’t have full responsibility for her, do you know when you’re having your surgery?

I ‘box things up’ in my head so l don’t have too much to worry about & don’t open the box until it’s time eg your husbands surgery - you can’t worry about that for now.

If you go from one stress to another you very quickly become overwhelmed!

Take Care of You 💐

[singingloud in reply to MrsNails]

Well said. One day at a time. Since my husband was facing surgery I thought it was a good time to move mom from our home to a nice facility. She has lived with us for the past 22+ years.

[MrsNails in reply to singingloud]

Hope it goes well for her then it’ll be less stress for you. It’ll be hard but we need to remember we’re unwell too.

Take Care x

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Depends how good you feel in yourself- you could finish taper - or if necessary return to 9.5mg even 10mg until things settle and you know what happening surgery-wise.

But then you obviously need to talk to surgeon about dose.

With so much going on, just watch out for flares...good luck

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with MrsN. And you should get more during surgery. But the primary aim for the moment is to be able to do the rehab post-op which you won't manage if the PMR messes about.

When might it be?

[singingloud]

Just received the report on Saturday. I wrote my PA. Hopefully in January but I will know this week when I can meet with a surgeon. Not sure if I want to go see the same one. He never offered to see me if I had trouble after my surgery.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to singingloud]

That’s not good…

[Grammy80]

I'm at 4 mg per day now and recently found out I will be having thyroid surgery February 3rd. Today I saw my rheumatologist and we discussed the taper. He told me to just hold until I see him after the surgery and not to attempt to reduce. I would say hold as the others have. My best wishes to you💞 and to your husband as well as sorting out everything with them nursing home💞

[singingloud]

Thanks for your reply. I see my surgeon’s PA next Wednesday and then the MRI before setting up my surgery. Good thing I looked at my X-rays since the radiologist never mentioned there being anything wrong.

Two Coflex in back. Bottom one is not in the spine. Radiologist said nothing about it.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to singingloud]

Should have gone to Specsavers! (an advert for an optician chain in the UK ...)

[singingloud]

That's for sure!