Reporting on Eyeballs and PMR and also Thumb Base Arthritis.

Posted , 9 users are following.

Just an FYI, as it might help some of my fellow PMR travelers.

Am scheduled for cataract surgery on June 2 (left eye) and June 16 (right eye). 

Had an appointment with Rheumy today. She suggested I double my dose of Prednisone on the day of and the day after surgery (in my case I will be on 5 mg, so doubled = 10 mg) then on the third day to drop back to the 5 mgs.

She is happy with my sloooow rate of reduction, which is about 1 mg every 6 weeks or so at this mg level. She said that although I had passed the critical 7 mg level vis a vis my body kicking in, she felt caution was the way to go.

Concerning the base of my thumb arthritis/pain/groan/ouch issue in my Rt (dominant) hand: she did an ultrasound and while seeing the ultrasound, shot my joint up with steroid and gave me a hard brace to wear for a week.

Told me to return in 2 months. My SED rate is 2 (normal). I have those done monthly.

Still on Gabapentin (300 mg at night). Rheumy says it stabilizes the mood, among other benefits. I must say, I sleep through the night 7-8 hrs.

She insisted on exercise and in my case it is rowing, which I do for 3 kms 3 x per week on a Concept II Rower. This is a non impact exercise that I have been doing for a number of years. (We own a rowboat, so to keep in form, I need to continue.) I have no problems with this. I also do yoga stretches every day. And I walk and garden and walk around the office.

Counting down since December 2013......

 

4 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

Prev
  • Posted

    Hi Paula,

    I was going to ask if you were a gardener but you answered my question. When you get the hard splint off and get back to weeding try an ice bag on the base of your thumb in the evenings. I find it helps a lot except later in the evening when a cold hand is quite a deterent.

    Charlie 44644 

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.