Prednisolone and cataract operation

[saunders123]

I have been on long term prednisolone For GCA & PMR since 2014.Since 2020 I have been on 2mg each day and instructed to stay at 2mg for the rest of my life as a maintenance dose( 86 years old In September Last Tuesday Feb.28th I had a cataract operation pleased to say all went well

Should I have increased prednisolone before the procedure? I have felt dreadful all this last week so

fatigued and having to rest all the time. I need to have the other eye done in a couple of months so any advice welcome

Thank you

Jean

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is possible that your body found the whole thing a big strain - and yes, in that case more pred would probably have helped. If you are still feeling so unwell it is possibly worth taking a bit more for a few days now.

Have they ever looked at your adrenal function - just a basal cortisol test on a blood sample taken in the morning, after 9am and before lunch, would tell them a lot without having to go to the bother of a synacthen test.

[saunders123 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much PMRpro I will take your advice and look into It.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Agree with PMRpro….an extra mg or two might be required…. Glad to hear cataract procedure went well.

[saunders123 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you D.L I shall increase to 4mg for a few days then go back to 2mg then arrange blood test as PMRpro suggests

[Ruthie64]

I recently had cataract surgery in Dec and Feb, both eyes. My endo said to double dose on the day of procedure. I did for the first one as I was very anxious and didn't know what to expect. Needless to say I had nothing to worry about so I didn't updose for the second eye and I was fine. However I went for a checkup on my second eye yesterday and there's still some inflammation there apparently although it feels fine. So back on the steroid drops for another month 🙄

[Koalajane in reply to Ruthie64]

I had mine done 2 weeks ago and had complications. So a vitrectomy and lens put in last week and like you on steroid drops, now to be taken hourly with a 7 hour gap,for me to sleep!

I did take extra prednisolone for the vitrectomy as I knew I was a bit worked up from it all. I felt so tired after and slept for over 9 hours since, not now though as have to set alarm for drops!

[prunus]

I was in a similar position to you when I had my cataracts operated on. What I did find was that I was more relaxed for the second operation. I think this was I knew what was going to happen. Hopefully you will be the same.

[Gardenbay]

I have been on pred since March 2021, I am now down to one and a half mg a day, I was told to reduce my pred by 1 mg each 28 days,until I reached 2 mg, then reduce half a mg every 28 days,I have now been on one and a half for just over 28 days as I feel tired at times,but I will reduce next week to 1 mg. I feel that you should go ahead with the op, but try dropping half a mg, for a while see how you feel, your body has to get used to working on its own, so I think if we can stay positive tell yourself you will get better and enjoy life.Good luck.