On 16mg Prednisolone and due for total knee replacement surgery in 3 weeks.
Posted , 7 users are following.
My PMR was diagnosed in November and I was started on 50mg prednisolone. Pain was in shoulders, arms and thighs.
At 16mg now ,with pain still in arms (trouble doing hair, lifting things amd managing certain movements) and shoulders. Indicators in latest blood tests normal even though I was in pain on the day test was taken.
My GP said that 12-15mg prednisolone would be fine for the surgery but after phoning my surgeon's rooms was told he would like me off the steroids completely.
I do not want to postpone my operation for a number of very good reasons but of course am worried about reducing from 16mg to nil in 3 weeks.
I would be so grateful if any of you kind people who have had major surgery while on prednisolone would let me know of your experiences. This is my first forum posting but I have found this site so informative.
If I can put up with the pain will it do me any long lasting harm? My GP said I will probably have to up my dose after the surgery.
I am just so worried and as well as hardly being able to walk because of the pain in my knee, trying to cope with the PMR and the awful side affects of the prednisolone, of which I have so many, I am feeling pretty desperate.
Thank you and I look forward so much to your replies..
1 like, 18 replies
carolk
Posted
Piri
Posted
I think the reason I was initially given 50mg was my size. I am a large lady and for many drugs I need a higher dose. e.g. on the rare occasion I take Temazepam for sleeping I need 3 where as 1 works on a small / average sized person .
I have not had any other tests except some ultra sounds of the shoulder/arms. My doctor is sure it is PMR and the immediate overnight effect of steroids( completely pain free) plus the raised indicators on the blood test seemed to confirm her diagnosis.
What showed up on the ultra sound were two torn muscles. One on my right bicept and the other on my shoulder. I was not aware of when these occured except a few weeks after being diagnosed with PMR I developed pain in the bicept area and a large popeye bulge. Just what i needed! These have now settled without any specific tratment.
Thanks for your kind thoughts. It is great to talk.
MrsO-UK_Surrey
Posted
I think you may have answered your own query - reducing from 16 to 12 so quickly BEFORE surgery. The trauma of surgery itself can be a trigger for PMR so had you remained on 16 where the inflammation was being controlled may have protected you.
I haven't heard of anyone being put on a massive starting dose of 50mg for 'just' PMR for the reason that you have given. As has been said previously, starting doses of around 40-60mgs (sometimes higher) are generally reserved for those patients with a diagnosis of GCA and the higher the dose, obviously the higher the risk of side effects, including muscle atrophy.
Hopefully your blood tests at the end of the week will show improved results having been on the 25mg dose for a couple of weeks and then your symptoms should start to improve. I do hope so and wish you all the best.
MrsO