Has anyone had surgery while still on prednisone?

Thanks for info. All information helps with the journey

I had multiple surgeries on Prednisone. The first one was to repair a "spontaneous" rupture of the tendon connecting my left thumb. The tendon rupture was blamed on Prednisone but the hand surgeon didn't see any evidence to explain why the tendon ruptured.

I had both knees replaced a few years later when I was 62. That was 10 years into my PMR journey and I was still taking 25 mg of Prednisone. I was told that I needed a knee replacement at the age of 30 but I had to wait until I was at least 60 years old. The orthopedic surgeon took every precaution imaginable. I even had hourly post operative visits by an endocrinologist until she was convinced I wasn't going to have an adrenal crisis.

My knee replacements resulted in a 10 mg reduction in my Prednisone dose a few months later. I don't know how wise the Prednisone dose reduction was because that was when trigeminal neuralgia decided to be refractory. The neurosurgeon was amazed that I had endured trigeminal neuralgia for so many years. He was incredulous that I was only taking Prednisone to control the pain caused by trigeminal neuralgia. In any case brain surgery solved the problem and I was able to reduce my Prednisone dose some more.

The only surgeon that was reluctant to do surgery was the spine surgeon who was going to fuse my entire lumbar spine. He said I wasn't a good candidate for major spine surgery because of all the Prednisone I have taken over the years. I didn't know what to do but the pain needed to stop. I took 100 mg of Prednisone and the pain stopped and surgery was postponed. A lumbar fusion is still pending.

Now that I'm off Prednisone the spine surgeon says the fusion can be done whenever I'm ready. I should do the lumbar fusion but I'm afraid.

Want to thank all who have posted and shared regarding surgery and their prednisone dosage. I am grateful to all for your sharing as it does help relieve concerns regard the issue

Best wishes - you’ll be fine.

I am glad I found people who have managed surgery, despite being on Prednisone. Of course - wish there were not so many!! I am having surgery for umbilical hernia repair. I am steroid dependent asthmatic, currently on 15mg of Pred. (I have been up as high as 100 of Pred after hospitalization for asthma.) They will give me a stress dose - as I have bounced between iatrogenic Cushing's/Addison's through the years going up and down on Pred. for the asthma. Last surgery 30+ years ago was terrible - and my asthma was controlled and not on Pred then. It was open chole and took 3 days to get off the ventilator. I'm fine with having the surgery - worried about the anesthesia and sedation and being on the ventilator for this. I have confidence in my doctors/team. Any hints to help?

I had laparoscopic Inguinal hernia repair at the end of August. Planned for one and surgeon did both. I too was concerned about anesthesia and all that would go with surgery while working through PMR. I was on 10mg at time and also received the stress dose. I am healthy (do take rosuvastatin for cholesterol) and walk between 3/4 miles most days. Also I have had only 3 surgeries in last 46 years..nasal 46 years ago and two routine colonoscopies at 50 and 60. I only mention the above so you can compare my experience with what you are going through.

Surgery went well (about 1 1/2 hours). No problems coming out of anesthesia except for some forgetfulness regarding what directions etc from surgeon and nurses while in re overly and on way out. Normal pain from internal incision. No flare up, which is what I was concerned about. Healing was a concern and I would suggest you ask very defined questions regarding length of healing process and what pains are normal to your surgery for the foreseeable future.

God Bless with the surgery and healing.

@pht1123 I am a great believer that knowledge is power. The more I know the better I feel about my expectations and preparedness. Not everyone wants to know. Depending on where you are on the knowledge spectrum should guide your research and doctor visits to get their answers. Please don't be afraid to ask, doctors understand that everyone has emotional needs as well as medical needs. When it is over treat them with a gift they can share at their office and a nice note.

Well said and right on point jabrown0407.

@boo3
Delayed my hernia repair until 0 mg prednisone; conseervativeapproach. All went well, have one more week until I'm back in the gym, chopping wood for winter prep...
Best wishes

@wayneewing I too had thought of attempting to get to 0mg but after quite a bit of research and discussions with rheumatologist, GP (a personal friend who actually diagnosed the PMR and prescribed my first script of prednisone), and LOTS of AI surfing decided to have surgery. Some of the information I found through many sites were suggesting to be at 5mg or lower for surgery but both doctors advised that other than a slight chance of a longer healing process (and other than hernia and PMR relatively healthy) the 10mg I was on would be of no concern. Laparoscopic surgery, had both sides done. Started walking outside the day after (1/2 mile) and by day 4 post surgery was up to 3 miles and then 4. My other concern was flare up to the extent of original onset of the PMR. Didn’t happen so all good. Wayne, it does feel good to get back out and do the things we enjoy including physical labor without dealing with the PMR and hernia worries. Good Luck with the winter prep!