VETEBRAL PLASTY SURGERY FINALLY SCHED FOR NEXT WEEK

[Missus835]

At long last. Vetebral surgery scheduled for Sept. 21. PMRPRo, can you please tell me about hydrocortisone cover (during surgery) and doubling up on regular Pred for a couple of days afterward? This, so I can sound intelligent when the Nurse calls. Lol. It is a local anesthetic, not being put to sleep. I did just read in a NHS article that either way, the cover must be given to avoid a different kind of adrenal crisis. Thanks for any and all replies and the wisdom available in our forum.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I'd be surprised if there isn't an anaesthetist present - but on the other hand, who knows! They are the person to ask really.

However - what dose are you on? Sick Day Rules cite doubling the dose of pred up to a total dose of 20mg and I thought you were in that sort of range anyway? Last week you said you were at 18mg. The greater risk is for patients on much lower doses.

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes my dose is 16 mg but I had upped it due to possible bladder infection. Pretty sure there will be an anesthesiologist present, although in NS one never knows. Lol. I'm just trying to get MY ducks in a row. Had I not called booking this morning and run the whole story through them again, I may not have been booked. Thanks!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Missus835]

All the best for it.

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

🌹

[Koalajane]

hope all goes well for you. I would think there would be an anaesthetist present. There were 2 present when I had a vitrectomy operation on my eye earlier this year, which was a local operation lasting just over an hour

[Missus835 in reply to Koalajane]

Thanks Jane. I know there will be. Kind of a tongue in cheek deal. Thanks for your well wishes.🪷

[powerwalk]

Thats great news, at last. Best of luck with it, hope it goes well for you.

[Missus835 in reply to powerwalk]

🌻

[HeronNS]

Excellent, but I will metaphorically hold my breath until we hear that you've actually had it! This seems like lightning speed once they looked at your tests and images and realized, belatedly, your serious diagnosis. Best wishes! Once one gets into the stream, which you have done, it seems to go well, it's just getting to that point....🍀

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

Yes Heron, and tenacity. I called every Monday and last week's call was not returned. This morning I called, reminded them that Dr. Smith referred me over a month ago, that this is my 11th week in bed with my back issues, etc. Within an hour a different woman returned my call with the date and instructions. I don't feel this would have happened had I not called this morning. Thank you. 🌻

[HeronNS in reply to Missus835]

Exactly. I am very impressed with you! I had a similar, although infinitely less significant delay when I was trying to get full report on my first DXA scan. Was thinking I'd have to pay fee for freedom of information to access my own report and it took months. So I have the barest inkling what you've had to go through and extremely glad you were finally successful. No one should have to deal with what you've put up with.

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

It is like pulling teeth to get anywhere within our health system, but we are not alone. Not that it's any comfort.

[HeronNS in reply to Missus835]

Lots of company!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

No advice, but best wishes for successful surgery…

[Missus835 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks DL. 🌷💐

[Exflex]

My wife had it done just a month ago, although she does not suffer from an AI disease and doesn’t take steroids.

Sedation and local anaesthetic is administered and then the cement is injected to stiffen the vertebra. She said she didn’t feel a thing apart from the local ‘sharp scratch’.

They do warn you that the injected vertebra becomes quite stiff afterwards and that there’s a risk it can cause adjacent vertebra to fracture. Unfortunately it happened in my wife’s case, confirmed by X-ray, and she’s waiting to hear from the hospital.

[Missus835 in reply to Exflex]

Of course it was not mentioned, but I had considered it was possible. So are they going to do the newly fractured vertebra? Maybe they should consider doing the vertebra on either side? I'm having two done. Sounds a lot like when they fuse ruptured discs (of which I've had 2 ops, years ago). I feel bad for your wife. I've been pretty much in bed for 12 weeks, due to the supporting muscles in my back spasming and seizing. Right now it's the front rib muscles. Ugh!

[Exflex]

Thank you, I’ll pass your kind regards to my wife.

T12 was the vertebra injected, and now according to X-ray T5 and 6 are showing signs of fracture, together with L1 and 2. She’s waiting to hear from the consultant.

[Missus835 in reply to Exflex]

Oh my that's a lot! My L1 is fractured and L2 crushed. Plus a couple of bulging discs at L4,L5. Something to do with disc at S1 which has been an issue for a couple of years. No nerve involvement with the discs at this time. Fingers crossed and one day at a time. 🤞

[Exflex]

fingers crossed for you too.

[Hunter134]

Good luck and I hope you get a lot better after healing❤️