Surgery

[Lindsayf]

Hi all

I'm having knee surgery on the 13th June and I'm terrified

The surgeon knows I have Hashimoto's and low ferritin and is going to run bloods next week.

Does the risks of surgery increase when there are thyroid issues? Should I be asking certain questions or be worried?

Thanks

Lindsay

[silverfox7]

As we are only replacing what our body is unable to produce so I can't see if we are correctly managed that surgery presents additional problems. I've had 2 replacement hips and had no problems though I don't have Hashimoto's but I had a spinal block for both, the first one sedated so I slept through most of it but the second one I asked to remain awake and I quite enjoyed the experience. I'm assuming a knee is done with a spinal block as well though like my first hip they can put you out by sedation. 8 months after my second hip I had a breast cancer op so a general anaesthetic but no suggestion I would have a problem plus I take NDT which I had to explain what it was but no comments and no problems. I did ace more problems after the second him though as the hospital treatment me badly as continued to be sick after any food. I suspected pain relief but they wouldn't put me on a tried and trusted one. As soon as I got home and stopped it no probs then 3 weeks later tried one again and was retching for 5 hours but because of the sickness they insisted I took a PPI and I refused and explained why but they stood over me till I did so thstcoptook more getting over but down I'm sure to not getting or rather keeping my thyroid meds inside me.

Do try not to worry. I was told to take my thyroid meds on the day before the cut off time for water and was fine. Just be careful afterwards juggling taking your meds away from pain killers etc

Hope everything goes well

[Lindsayf in reply to silverfox7]

I'm having a general for my knee and I'm just panicking about it. The older I've got the worse I seem to be with worry and I'm only 32!

Sorry to hear what you have been through I hope you are better now.

I'm going to me pre op assessment next week and I'm going to ask questions about my Hashi and tell them I'm nervous.

Thanks for replying I just need to put my big girl pants on and get on with it xx

[silverfox7 in reply to Lindsayf]

Write all your questions for you pre med as under stress memory goes out of the window! I also take a load of vitamins etc as I didn't convert particulstlyvwell in the past but I think they said to stop a few days earlier but did t have a clue about Milk thistle as it was a herb! But I said I would stop them all other than my NDT. I also took a copy of my last bloods but I think they retested them anyway.

[Stourie in reply to Lindsayf]

Nearly 3 years ago I had my first hip done under a spinal with no problems. In January this year I had my second hip done under a general because they couldn't get the needle into my spine for another spinal. A few days before I went into hospital I had my bloods checked ( I am on 80 mcg Liothyronine ) and thought that someone would find something wrong but it was fine. In fact I think that it was better with the general and had absolutely no problems. Hope that helps.

Jo xx

[Lindsayf in reply to Stourie]

Thanks this makes. It makes me feel better knowing that having a thyriod problem shouldn't cause any issues x

[eeng]

You don't need to worry. I assume you are taking Levothyroxine - this is replacement for the hormone that your thyroid would normally produce, so shouldn't affect you having surgery. Your surgeon is looking into your low ferritin, so at least you have flagged it up. If you can tolerate ferrous fumarate take 210mg 2-3 times a day with vitamin C (to aid absorption and mitigate constipation). You have 3 weeks to get your iron levels up, and you can begin to make a difference. Keep taking them afterwards because you will inevitably lose some blood during surgery. Your surgeon will keep an eye on your blood levels and if you get really anaemic will give you a blood transfusion - who knows, you may even get the blood I gave last week!

[Lindsayf in reply to eeng]

I'm on 100mcg of Levo and 25mcg of T3. I've had low ferritin for years but no one seems bothered :/ I take 2 x 300mg Ferrous Gluconate per day with Vit C and my GP won't let me take anymore until bloods in 3 months. Thanks for replying x

[Hidden]

Without a thyroid and on levothyroxine for about 5 years (ie the WRONG medicine as I should have been on NDT), I had a kidney removed from cancer.

There were no side issues at all and the docs didn't seem interested in thyroid condition.

5-6 years after the event I have no concerns whatever about the cancer, yet the thyroid issues concern me EVERY day, despite me now taking NDT instead of levo.

In other words, there's nowt to worry about, but keep the docs informed of your condition, just in case.

[Lindsayf in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing this xx

[Jose651 in reply to Lindsayf]

Hi Lindsayf,

I had a pre op assessment last week for a Hip replacement although I have no date for surgery yet.

I took all medications and supplements with me and an up to date list that comes with your prescription.

The sister took bloods, urine, blood pressure and checked about teeth and how far I could open my mouth, 😂.no problem there.

I talked with her about how I am feeling about the op, I'm nervous as well. She wrote everything down that I voiced. I ensured that she took note of the fact that I do not want any Nitrous Oxide, ( laughing gas) as I have B12 deficiency/ Pernicious Anemia and Nitrous Oxide inactivates any Vitamin B12 that one has in their system.

It was a very pleasant experience all round.

I am on Levo and T3 and I am self medicating the T3. My GP knows about it.

I was told to go off any form of HRT 6 weeks before op and Milk Thistle 2 weeks beforehand.

Good health.

J 🍀😊

[Lindsayf in reply to Jose651]

I have low B12 and supplement this so thanks for informing me about laughing gas.. I'll note that down.

This sounds silly but I just worry about having a stroke or being under but can still feel and hear everything I just can't move.

Good luck for when you do have your hip replacement op. My mum had both hers done in her 40's (very young I know) and it gave her life back.

Xxxx

[Marz in reply to Lindsayf]

Having gone through 13 operations over 50 years - my only suggestion is to try and imagine you are lying on a sun kissed beach with the waves tickling your toes ! My theory is if you go under in a relaxed state - you will return the same way

Hope all goes well. 😊

[Lindsayf in reply to Marz]

I'm going to try my hardest to relax and not get upset xx

[Marz in reply to Lindsayf]

I even had an op on my hip - the TFL - here in Crete. Now THAT was an experience 😴

[Lindsayf in reply to Marz]

What happened?

[Marz in reply to Lindsayf]

The Tensor Fascia Latta is a big tendon on the outside of the hip which had to be opened up and pinned back as I was not able to walk up small inclines or steps ! There was also a benign lump in the pelvic cavity that had to be removed - possibly a left over from the TB in my gut. I did fall down a flight of stairs and landed on that hip - in my 30's - whilst interviewing in the gods of a department store - had to go up and down these horrid stairs covered in lino with the metal strip at the edge where I caught my elegant Kurt Geiger heel

Am sure they wouldn't be allowed nowadays.

Ah - perhaps you meant what happened with the op here. Well you have to have your own nurse - so little pain relief as you cannot find the one nurse who can supply. All very casual when changing dressings - leaving the pack on my belly - lovely chicken soup though with a huge lump of lemon for anti-microbial effect no doubt ! But hey I survived ....

[Lindsayf in reply to Marz]

Glad your okay now.... due to my job I've had to go private as it's a 12 month wait on the NHS... hopefully they will use something other then lemon haha

[Marz in reply to Lindsayf]

Top up on huge doses of VitC

[Jose651 in reply to Marz]

Oh that's good to know Marz, they now give you 6 bottles of 'Nutricia' pre op drink. You drink 4 bottles the night before surgery (800mls) and 2 before 6am on the morning of surgery.

It's a high Carbohydrate drink.

J 😊

[Marz in reply to Jose651]

Check the ingredients. I was recently given a miracle drink for FREE for Crohns. On researching the ingredients - one was NOT suitable for Crohns sufferers. Of course I returned the lot 😎

[Jose651 in reply to Marz]

Funny you should say that, the Sister showed me one but you don't get them until you get your bloods done about 5 days before op. They were going out of date by the time patients were waitingfor surgery🙊. I had a wee look and there were no list of ingredients on the bottle.

I looked inline and 4 bottles cost around£14 . I'm sure it's full of fillers and preservatives . Tell me what you know about Vit C intake before op Marz please.

[Marz in reply to Jose651]

Its good for everything in large enough doses - especially for healing. Will go to PC and find some links. Am relaxing on the sofa with a head cold and watching the tennis 😊

[Jose651 in reply to Marz]

No hurry, my op won't be until sometime next year, if the waiting list is anything to go by here.

Cheers, 👍

[Marz in reply to Jose651]

organicfacts.net/health-ben...

One of many sites on the net. Linus Pauling was the great advocate and I believe won a Nobel Prize

[Jose651 in reply to Marz]

Thank you, I'll peruse that at my leisure,hope the head cold disappears soon,

💕

[Jose651 in reply to Lindsayf]

You too L,

And please keep us posted and let us know how you get on.

I going to try that image that Marz suggests.

J 😊