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Warning & Reminder

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Lupus
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Posted 9/20/2007 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
I remembered something the hard way this week... There are some kinds of very minor surgeries that we have where it is easy to forget that we need to take special care due to our funky immune systems. The easiest example is simply seeing the dentist...we also need to remember this when seeing the dermo! For the more major surgeries, our drs & our surgeons remember to give us a little extra prednisone or other 'boost' when we have work done, but... This week I had some pre-cancerous lesions removed. I remembered hearing the admonition about "don't have too much done at once", so had only 6 of my 12 frozen. I did NOT remember to take a little extra prednisone before and after. I wish I had. I have been very tired since having this done Monday, which I didn't immediately realize was from the dermo treatment. I have also been having huge problems with the Sjogren's in my eyes. Today I finally thought of the prednisone --- the work I did have done was on my face -- my sinus's feel a little off, my eyes are red, itchy, dry & tired...and it took me all week to remember this!!! All this could have been avoided had I remembered the proper pre & post "surgery" treatment!!!! So thought I'd post this, as it's so very easy to forget....
Posted 9/21/2007 7:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reminder. I wonder if when I deliver the OB doc will remember to have my pred boosted for a while. That is still a long way off but a big deal. I will have to recall that between 12 and 17 weeks when my cervix gets stitched closed. That is one time when I am sure none of my docs will remember to boost the pred. I still have at least 6 weeks for that tho so I will have to struggle to remember.
Posted 9/21/2007 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reminder because I think we remember to take precautions with major proceedures, but I probably wouldn't think about maybe taking some extra pred before dental work or "minor" proceedures. I saw on your other post that you aren't feeling well. Hopefully you can tweek your meds and get lots of rest.
Posted 9/21/2007 4:14 PM (GMT 0)
Great topic Lynnwood . . . thanks!
Posted 9/21/2007 4:22 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Lynnwood - I hope you feel better soon - HUGS - Kristin
Posted 9/21/2007 5:34 PM (GMT 0)

Maybe that's why I felt so awful after I had my tubes tied last fall.  After coming out of the anesthetic my joints were so stiff and so sore I wanted to scream.  I'm not taking prednisone, nor was I then (I take enbrel and/or mtx for rheumatoid arthritis), but I truly wish I had had something like prednisone then.  The doctors gave me pain killers (for the surgery, obviously), but they barely did a whole lot for the joint issues.  It took weeks for me to get back to normal.  I think I'll remember this the next time I have to "under" for something.  I hope you feel better soon.

Elcamino

Posted 9/22/2007 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Elcamino . . . . If you don't take pred you can consider extra anti-inflams . . . the problem is that you need to make sure it is ok with the docs because most of them can cause internal bleeding and are contradicted for surgery. But, if I normally take rx strength ibuprofen 3x/day, I will fit in a fourth dose on hectic days and it really does help. It will also help kick a small flare.
Posted 9/23/2007 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for this warning as I need to go to the Dermy soon to have a rash on my legs and some questionable moles checked out.
Posted 9/23/2007 7:19 PM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood, thanks for the information! I never cease to be amazed at what I continue to learn from you friends at HW. As Rosie said, great topic.

Thanks,

Pat
Posted 9/25/2007 9:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the info Lynnwood, You probably saved me from a hospital trip when I get back to oklahoma tomorrow.
hugs
carol
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