Minor surgery and pred

[Thirkelly]

Has anyone had minor surgery with general anesthetic while on less than 5 pred?

I was told that 5 was the magic number they were interested but am wondering if they

just ignore the steroids all together lower than 5. I

will be flourishing that steroid treatment card for sure! Just to be on the safe side.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

In what respect? I had a cardiac procedure recently on 7mg pred. But why should 5mg be a magic number? If you have been on long term pred you need steroid cover intraoperatively anyway, whatever dose you are on at the time and for a year at least after discontinuing pred altogether. OTOH - below 5mg the risk of infection in most surgery is probably reduced a lot - but some orthopaedic surgeons would like to hold out for zero pred.

[Thirkelly in reply to PMRpro]

As my admission has been delayed because i was being reviewed by anesthetics dept i'm hoping they are on the case.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Thirkelly]

They do tend to be - it's their job to keep you alive!!!!!

[Karenjaninaz]

Last month I had a cardiac ablation under general anesthesia(high risk) while on 7mg prednisone. They gave me a stress dose during the procedure and I did fine.

[Thirkelly in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Thank you

[piglette]

I had an artificial dislocated hip put back at 5mg.

[Downtime]

I had toe fusion surgery on 5mg and healed very well.

[paintpots]

I had an operation 2 years ago while I was at 4mg. The surgeon put me up to 6mg for 3 days and then back to 4 mg. I had no problems.

[Petcut]

l had cataract op. under general anesthetic on 3.5mg pred and all was fine

[Markandevie]

Hi. I have just come out of hospital after having a spontaneous pneumothorax and had two operations and spent 4 weeks in there after getting a severe infection and stayed on 4.5mg throughout. The only time they asked me to increase to 9mg was when the infection caused my blood CRP levels to over 400 . They should be between 2 and 6 and is there to indicate inflammation in the body. This was for 4 days and now out of hospital I am still in 4.5mg. The consultant says the there is no need to increase prednisone unless the body has an infection.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Markandevie]

Sorry to hear about recent issues -hope you’re on the mend.

[Markandevie in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes thank you. It happened while out with my dog on a walk. I do not smoke and am active and always have been but sometimes this happens to fit individuals. Crazy times indeed

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Markandevie]

Best wishes…

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Markandevie]

I was present when a nursing student developed one while using an exercise bike in the lab for a dissertation - no-one else around but I recognised the symptoms as potentially a spontaneous pneumothorax and insisted he should get medical advice. I was right! Relief all round.

What did you do? Were you out in the back of beyond?

[Markandevie in reply to PMRpro]

Hi. Yes I was when I started getting pain in my back. Went back to hotel. Had a shower and went to breakfast. I noticed I could hear my breath and got very out of breath walking up a few stairs. I continued my day by going for a pub lunch and started to feel unwell and just thought I had indigestion. That evening I was crippled up in pain in my back and took myself to hospital where after 7 hours waiting in A and E was diagnosed with I totak collapse (10cm) . 2 op later i am still here lol . What a few weeks that was

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Markandevie]

You were lucky, very lucky, Though I'd say their triage was a bit dilatory!!!

[Markandevie in reply to PMRpro]

Yes they were until they decided on an xray.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Markandevie]

Then all hell let loose?

[Markandevie in reply to PMRpro]

Yes indeed and had a drain put in my chest within the hour.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Markandevie]

Ouch ... But effective!