Guest guest Posted February 14, 1999 Report Share Posted February 14, 1999 Hello Group, Does anyone know the facts about being on mtx and pred and having surgery? I was told by a surgeon to stop taking both prior to surgery. My rheumy says stay on the meds. I was on prednisone for a prior surgery. I've tried to find some info on the net, no luck though. Thanks for any input! Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 1999 Report Share Posted February 15, 1999 dEAR tRISH, I have personal experience with both drugs and surgery. The reason to stop the MTX is simple. You are much more prone to infection when you take it. Your rheumatologist should start you back on it after a couple of weeks post op. With the predisone, you can have respiratory problems with the anesthesia, in addition it slows the healing process. In my case, the years of predisone use- even creams, inhalers, and medrol packs since the age of ten have caused a sufficient adrenal insufficiency that I had pulmonary problems and had a respiratory arrest during abdominal surgery this past April. It was very scary. I would definitely mention to the surgeon and the anesthesia people prior to surgery of your steroid and mtx use. I don't understand why your rheumatologist seems to be so cavalier about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 1999 Report Share Posted February 15, 1999 Trish, I have had 4 surgeries while on Mtx. and Pred. and was not told to stay off before the surgeries. The only time I was taken off of all meds was when I had a heart attack and they wanted me off of everything because they did not want it to mask any symptoms I was having, such as pain, nausea, swelling, etc. Let me tell you that the 2 weeks in the hospital were torture. They put a 4 " foam mattress on top of the hospital bed to ease the soarness until I was able to get back on the meds. After the angioplasty and disconnection from all IVs they let me start taking everything again (which was approx. 2 weeks after the heart attack and when I was at home). If you are going to be in the hospital for an extended period of time and off of meds, why don't you ask your Dr. to prescribe the mattress. It really was a great help. I probably would have been a much worse patient if I had not had it. I still had pain, but it helped. I would also ask the surgeon for his reasoning on why he wants you off. There may be a good reason why he is doing it. Hope this helps with your question. Angera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 15, 1999 Report Share Posted February 15, 1999 Trish, Go to www.nooduitgang.com/health_bbs/arthritis and ask a woman called Derkel2 about surgery and the meth and pred.She has been thru over 30 surgeries and give you some hints and reasons etc... Pat Be informed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 1999 Report Share Posted February 16, 1999 Hi Folks While we all should (and need ) to learn from the experience of others, I really caution agains taking advice on line from anyone, even those who have had 30 surgeries. If you have questions about surgery that is not really satisfied by your doc, I think you should go to for another opinion. I am really nervous when I read that some people ask what to do about meds before surgery. We are all so different and so much can go wrong that taking any advice about surgery from anyone on line is risky at best . I too have read about the multi porblems with Derkel on BBS but I do hope that if surgery is really necessary then the best thing to do is get it from a good doctor. And I stress the word good. Hope everyone is well today and enjoying life. Kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 1999 Report Share Posted February 16, 1999 Thanks for the info . How will stopping the mtx effect my PA? Or will it? HOw soon prior to surgery should I stop? Thanks again, Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 1999 Report Share Posted February 16, 1999 Angera, Thanks for sharing your experience. The surgeon mentioned, as did, the risk of infection, and a slower healing process. I should only be in for a day or two.....it's for a tummy tuck! Pretty vain, I know. But, after losing 75lbs and moving to Hawaii......I feel the need! Thanks again, Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 1999 Report Share Posted February 16, 1999 In a message dated 2/15/99 5:23:22 PM Hawaiian Standard Time, PBias@... writes: << She has been thru over 30 surgeries and give you some hints and reasons etc... >> Wow, that's a few more than I'd like to go through, cosmetic or otherwise! Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 1999 Report Share Posted February 16, 1999 Dear Trish, I defer to your doctors on when to stop the methotrexate. The bad news is, I got a severe flare post-operatively, which I believe was due to the methotrexate withdrawal. My docs had me stop it one week before, and not start until six weeks post op. Let us know what your docs say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 1999 Report Share Posted February 16, 1999 Trish, WOW!!!!!! Congratulations on the weight loss and in my opinion, you are not being vain (I've been there and lost 60 lbs. about 10 years ago). I see it as feeling good about yourself. I think it is great!!!!! Good luck, feel better quick and get out and enjoy those Hawaiian beaches. Angera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 1999 Report Share Posted February 16, 1999 As someone who also has PA and in the medical profession that statement needed to be said. This msg. board is just great for all of us, because we don't meet others with our PA. Chatting back and forth on symptoms, treatment and other methods we use to make life more palatable is beneficial to all. We just have to look at how different ways PA afflicts different people. It helped me knowing from this board side effects from different meds. Some said they lose their hair, can't have a perm andcan't color. I do all three and have no problem, and am on plaquinel, pred 13mg., folic acid, mtx 17.5mg. That is just one example. No one can take the place of our RMD and we should follow his or her instructions, only. The combination of meds that we take can be deadly if not taken properly. They also can restore our life to almost " NORMAL " also when taken properly. I can't praise the PA members for the info, encouragement, time given in listening, and follow thru with communication. I am just going through my husband having surgery for colon cancer, with chemo to follow. I have received kind inquiries from some members. That means a lot. Thankso much. I didn't intend to give a sermon, really. We all serve each other to feel the best we can. Keep contributing. Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 1999 Report Share Posted February 16, 1999 In a message dated 2/16/99 9:03:10 AM Hawaiian Standard Time, Kitzel47@... writes: << I am really nervous when I read that some people ask what to do about meds before surgery. We are all so different and so much can go wrong that taking any advice about surgery from anyone on line is risky at best . >> Dear Kit, I would certainly not follow anyone's advice, other than that of my doctor. I simply wanted to hear what others had experienced, since I had conflicting instructions from my doctors. I would prefer not to stop my meds and was hoping to find some information to present to my surgeon, supporting this. Thanks for looking out for me though! Take Care, Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 1999 Report Share Posted February 17, 1999 Hi Trish Glad you are looking gorgeous and even more so after the surgery. One sign that you are feeling better is that you are paying attention to your " bod " and not your pain. Hawaii beaches will never be the same after you strut your bikini. Kit P.S Glad all that other " stuff " is now in the past as well. Nothing but blue skies from now on as the song says. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 1999 Report Share Posted February 17, 1999 Dear Angera, Thank you for the words of encouragement. Congrats back at you, losing weight is so difficult! Trish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 1999 Report Share Posted February 18, 1999 Trish, And the even bigger battle is keeping it off. I have found with all the medication I am on, especially the Pred., can be really discouraging at times, but I don't let it get me down. If I slip and put on a few pounds one month, I take it in stride and set a goal to lose it the next month, which is a lot easier to lose 3 to 5 lbs. than 60 all over again. Just keep up the good work, just keep saying to yourself, " I am worth it " . Keep us informed how you fare through the surgery. Good thoughts and prayers are with you. Angera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 1999 Report Share Posted February 18, 1999 Angera, were you on a special diet to lose the weight. I am on all the usual meds, but the side effect of weight gain and puffed moon shape face is horrible. I have trouble putting my contacts in. I'm taking pred. 13mg daily plus mtx17.5mg. per wk. I know if you can get below pred 5mg. that disappears. Too bad, because this dose I,m doing great. Any helpful hints would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Betty BCLEARY2@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 1999 Report Share Posted February 19, 1999 Betty, I started with going to Craig (this is not an advertisement) and lost the first 45 lbs. by following their plan. I learned how to eat through behavioral modification classes and tapes. I then switched to Weight Watchers(this also is not an advertisement) and lost another 15 lbs. with them. It was a long hard battle and still is. It took me over a year to lose the weight. I now know what to eat (actually I always knew what was the right food), but I don't beat myself up over it anymore if I slip and fall.I still need to lose at least 30 more pounds but it just isn't happening. I now realize that my body is comfortable at this weight and have finally accepted that. It has been a long hard struggle. I understand how you feel about the side effects of the prednisone (moon face, etc.). I feel that if it is helping me with the pain, I can deal with it. My suggestion to you is research some of the diet plans out there and find one that fits your lifestyle. It took me 35 years before I found one. Another reason it took me so long to lose the weight was that I cannot exercise. What I do now is water aerobics, which is very low impact. The local YMCA has a swim program for people with Arthritis. Hope this helps you. Angera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 1999 Report Share Posted February 20, 1999 I have been active in water aerobics here in Va. and it was a workout. We had 3 diff. instructors, and each had her own method. It was outside pool at the club. The problem was that we would eat at the club after. In Oct. we went to Fl. where we have a condo and a small group of women had a tape of exercises. We would meet at 8A and play the tape and do the exercises which was good. Came home for holidays and my husband ended up being operated on for colon cancer. Everything stopped for a while 'till we get chemo behind us. I may try to go to the rec center and go on a day to day basis. In Fl. we were great about walking at least 2mi. every day. I also know what I should and shouldn't eat. I just have this dumb craving for something cold like sherbert or ice cr. I have just started getting sores in my mouth which may be from mtx. or cold I've been carrying around. The only way to gain wt. is through the mouth, and way to lose is also through the mouth and exercise. I must talk to myself and get with it. Thanks for your encouragement. Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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