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PMR and Surgery / General Anesthesia

Posted , 7 users are following.

jennifer25780
jennifer25780

My husband was diagnosed with PMR about 7 months ago and has tapered his prednisone down to 7.5 mg/day.   Two months ago, he was diagnosed with a melanoma and will have surgery, under general anesthesia, to remove the tumor.   Does anyone have an experience with the effects of the general anesthesia on the PMR or suggestions/advice?

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • rocketman42
    rocketman42 jennifer25780

    Posted

    Sorry to hear of your husbands need for surgery.

    I was diagnosed with PMR around 9 months ago and I'm currently on 10 mg prednisone.

    I just had minor surgery last week that required GA and I had no ill effects afterwards.

    Good luck !

  • pam7653
    pam7653 jennifer25780

    Posted

    I've had numerous surgeries under anesthesia while suffering with PMR. Make sure to tell the doctor and he will notify the anesthesiologist. You typically get to talk to the anesthesiologist yourself. I was given a hydrocortisone injection during surgery. It could have been done through my IV. Who knows I was asleep!

    I had no issues at all. Good luck!

    • Ouzel
      Ouzel pam7653

      Posted

      Agree with Pam.  If the anesthesiologist feels he's on significant steroids he will will be given a steroid boost intravenously pre or intraoperativelly.  Bigger/longer procedures require bigger doses.  Hope he does well!

  • jennifer25780
    jennifer25780

    Posted

    thanks to all of you.  I feel so much better having asked because I have been worried about possible ill effects. 
  • robby6859
    robby6859 jennifer25780

    Posted

    I was diagnosed in Sept 2016.  I am on 20 mg.   I will be having oral surgery on the 31st of Jan. And my Dr said to take a burst dose of 60mg the morning of the surgery.   I also have melanoma and will be having surgery for that on Feb 6th and she said to do the same for that one.
    • jennifer25780
      jennifer25780 robby6859

      Posted

      thank you for that information.   Good to know, and best of luck to you with your surgeries.   
  • EileenH
    EileenH jennifer25780

    Posted

    Something to discuss with the surgeon and the anaesthetist in particular. But I know a few people who have had hip and/or knee replacements without problems.

    I depends on the surgical team whether you are told to take a on-off higher dose for the day of the surgery or not. It used to be normal practice to give patients extra pred as cover for the trauma or stress insult of surgery for even minor procedures but more recent thought is to monitor the patient closely and it is rarely necessary to give extra. Either way, it is important to be sure the surgeon and anaesthetist know and have registered the fact - as well as any other members of the medical team including nurses. It is all too easy for them to miss the fact even when it is written on the notes. Telling them too many times is far safer than one too few!

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