taking steroids while undergoing surgery?

Hi, Currently taking steroids and I will shortly be due for surgery on the 28th Jan. My question is does taking steroids increase any particular dangers?

At the moment I'm taking 6mg of Entocort.

Thanks.

Thanks Mag for the advice. I will start my taper next week and hopefully the time I have surgery I will be off steroids.

I see that you said you have had 2 resections, was those surgeries due to strictures? Did you have your TI taken? I hope your feeling better now.

Just had a colostomy surgery in December. Was on steroids months before and upto surgery date.
According to my Surgeon, the percentage increase for issues such as MAG posted was a 2-3%.

Also had a resection in 92, and I can safely say that pain management for these type surgeries have come a very long way. I didn't feel any pain with current surgery until the epiderial was removed, 4 days after surgery. I was in the Hospital for 6 days, 4 inch resection and a colostomy.

Hope this helps.
Take care.
DD

were not drs spiceman, so each persons story is going to be differant than what you may encounter, however, having said that, the small amount of entocort your taking is less steroids than you body naturaly produces each day. . yes steroids can increase the likelyhood of infection but it does not happen spontainiously, most hospital infections are due to dr errors during or after surgery and bad hygiene techniques by hospital personel. you will most likely get some high doses of intravenous steroids while in the hospital anyway so your little amount wont matter. all these concerns should be discussed with your dr BEFORE the last minute and answered to your satisfaction before proceding..

Hi Spiceman:

You are wondering about ostomies and why some people get them and some with crohn's end up with multiple surgeries.

It depends alot on how your crohn's presents itself and it is not as clear cut an answer as for those with UC. Generally though, my sense is that people who suffer from primarily stricturing crohn's are less likely to end up with a permanent ostomy than do those who have primarily inflammatory crohn's. Some people with crohn's have a pan crohn's colitis. Which means wide spread inflammation, including the rectum. If this cannot be controlled through medication, surgeons will often opt for an ostomy. And my sense is, that for most patients, quality of life improves dramatically in this situation. Perhaps someone will enter this discussion who has experience.

On the other hand, if your crohn's is limited to one area, the chances of coming to ostomy are far, far less likely. I have had crohn's for nearly 35 years. I have had three major operations relating to strictures and obstructions, but have not yet had a stoma either permanent or temporary.

If you are scheduled for surgery in order to deal strictures, I suspect you have been dealing with episodes of severe pain and I suspect your quality of life has been compromised for some time. These strictures take a long time to reach the point of surgery. You have probably been living with these issues for so long you may no longer appreciate how much they are affecting your quality of life. I suspect that by the middle of March you will be relieved that it is over and surprised at the difference in how you feel.

If you are worried about the increased risks of infection, make sure you communicate that to everyone who has contact with you. Ask if they have washed their hands. If it is obvious that they haven't then politely remind them that you are at high risk and ask if they could please wash. Bring a sanitary hand wash to hospital with you. Have your family and friends use it. Do not pick anything up off the floor! Consider anything not directly related to you -- bed, wash stand, etc -- contaminated, including the curtains around your bed. Wash your own hands frequently and do not touch your incision.

Remember, to get out of the hospital you have to eat and what you eat has to come through and you have to be able to tolerate oral pain meds. So follow your docs orders and get up early and walk to get your bowels moving again. You want to get out of hospital as soon as it is medically safe to do so because, although it is wonderful that we have these institutions to care for us when we need them, they are breeding grounds for infection.

Surgery is a major life event and should never be taken lightly, but you need surgery and that is your reality. I hope you can embrace it as an opportunity for a new beginning even in the midst of your quite natural anxiety.

Aren't we fortunate to live at a time when life-saving surgeries such as intestinal resections are routine. Hundreds of thousands are performed every week and very rarely is there a major complication.

Hi Bellenstien. Thank you so much for your detailed response it really made me feel at ease. You gave me some great information on fighting infection and dealing with stricturing Crohn's.

I see that you've had your fair share of operations. Hope you dont mind if I ask you a few questions regarding your operations...

1. What type of opertions did you have ?

2. How long in between from 1 to the next?

3. Did you have open surgery?

4. Anything else you may like to add.  Thank you ever so much.

Spice.