Did anyone have RNY while on prednisone for SLE?

I have surgery scheduled for August 26Th,  only 5 days away and I have been on Prednisone for about 1 year for my Lupus  (SLE) ... It seems when every my Dr. attempts to lower my dose I have a flare up.  When I decided to have WLS I discussed this with my Dr.  He didn't seem to be alarmed.  He just said you will be a higher risk but as we lower the doses your risk will lower.  Well, now that the surgery is here when I went in for my Pre-op, for some reason this medication was not in my chart!  I was highly upset about this.. He seemed to be surprised and said I am going to be an "Extreme High Risk" because of the length of time I have been on this medication and the dose I am taking.  He also explained the risks involved with this medication which scared me...

For the first time, I am questioning my decision to have this surgery!  I have already paid for this surgery so I don't want to back out but I am kinda feeling maybe I should.... Not sure what to do.. Maybe its my nerves!

Has anyone had this surgery while taking Prednisone??

Hi Kelli,
I am waiting for a surgery date for a VSG.  I am not currently on predisone for my Lupus......thank goodness.  But I when I made my decision to have WLS, I didn't know what type would be best for me.  I went for a consultation at the Barix clinic in Michigan and Dr. Poplawski suggested that a VSG would be better for me because of my Lupus.  He done so mainly as a precaution for the future....right now my Lupus is inactive but you never know what is in store for us Lupies in the future right.

I also heard other surgeons say that an RNY is o.k. to have because there are other alternatives to taking the medications required for Lupus such as skin patches and suppositories.  I would also think that if you are in a severe flare they might be able to prescribe medications intravenously too.

I would suggest that if you are having these nervous vibes.......contact your Lupus doctor and talk it over with him/her.  Maybe there is a alternate medication you can use for the short term just to get you through the surgery and healing process that isn't as risky???

I don't have any answers for you, but when I read your post, I really feel for you and can understand your fears!!! I wouldn't proceed with the surgery unless you are completely confident with your decision and have explored all avenues.  I agree, this surgery is very risky at the best of times and to add the possible complications of prednisone.......it only adds to the list of possibilities of things that could go wrong during and after surgery.

I'm just curious........why have you chosen to have a RNY over a VSG?

Anyways, I just wanted to try to add some other "food for thought" to help you with your decision.  I know that I haven't taken away your fears.  If anything, I probably added to it......for that I apologize.  I just wanted to make sure you have thoroughly thought this through and you have explored all your options.

I wish you all the best and good luck with whatever your decision may be.  Feel free to PM me if you have any further questions or just want to talk.  I live in Canada so my regular forum is the international forum....Ontario.

Best wishes, Kim

NO prednisone or other NSAIDS with RNY!  You need to come off of it.  Did you ever discuss this surgery with your rheumie?????  My surgeon told me no prednisone or NSAIDS EXCEPT under special cir****tances, for a short period of time, with a proton pump inhibitor.  You might want to consider postponing your surgery.

Hi my name is Maribel Rosario I has Lupus for 14 years and taking prendisone for all this years, I want to do this surgery so bad.  are you ready have yours?

Hi Kelli - I'm new on the boards here and just coming across your post.    what was the outcome?    I've taken 6 months of classes and asked about prednisone on a number of occasions and no one seems to have an issue with it.   I've never been able to get off of it (for 10 years now) but only on 6 mg a day.  

For anyone else *****plied to this thread previously, I'd love to hear your responses.    I'm looking at the VSG mostly due to my lupus and the thought I may need to take meds that the RNY won't allow.

Thanks all ... Robin

Hi Robin!!!

Thanks for writing.. I did have surgery while on Prednisone on 8/26/2009.  My Dr. wasn't concerned about it so I went through with the surgery..

It is very important you notify the anesthesia Dr. of your use of Prednisone.  They have to give you an extra dose before you go to sleep.. That is the most important part.  I made sure when the Dr.  came in to talk to me he was aware of my prednisone use even if the nurses wrote it in my chart.  My Dr had me take Vit. E prior to surgery to help straighten my tissue which is broke down and thin when using Prednisone.

After surgery, I seemed to be doing great.  I even got out of the hospital 1 day early only staying for 24 hours. Unfortunately, I had complications a couple days later that I am still dealing with today.  I have had 3 more surgeries since then and I am still experiencing pain and discomfort.  My RNY Dr. says it is lupus related while my lupus Dr. says it is not.. I am not sure at this point what has caused my complications so I am going to a specialist out of state.. I have been to the ER and hospital multiple times since surgery.  I have lost lots of weight 70lbs however, if I had to do it again, I am not sure I would have had the surgery because of the complications.... Some people get upset when I say that but I am just being honest about the situation.  

Lupus is a disease that is very hard to treat and diagnose and so often when Dr.'s don't know what is wrong they blame "Lupus".   

I hope this helps..  Every situation is different and all I can say is follow your gutt... Every situation is different and you may do great.. 

If I can assist you anymore, please don't hesitate to write...

Sincerely,

Kelli

Kelli - I was glad to come across this old post of yours.  I too take prednisone on a regular basis, but for a chronic respiratory problem.  I seem to be stuck at 20 mg as well.  I have gained so much weigh while on the prenisone, I am concerned it will not be so easy to take it off even after the surgery.

Thanks for sharing your experiences with us.

I had RNY bypass surgery two months ago, I have been on 5 mg of prednisone for over 20 years for rheumatoid arthritis & polymyositis, I had no problems except for fatigue. I had a stress dose of steroids for surgery then had to taper down to my usual 5 mg.

The problems I have had are becoming lightheaded & fatigue, it has gotten much better but am still fatigued. My surgeon thinks it might be my body & cortisol level so I have split my prednisone dose to half at night & half in the morning, this has helped some.

 

Kelli - I do very much appreciate your honest answer.    My Rheum said he would not be OK if I were in any type of flair but my blood tests are so whacky he keeps saying to me ... are you sure you feel OK?   LOL

I'm waiting for the final approval and I'll see my Rheum on Feb 12 - one more time before surgery to see how the tests are going this month!

My gut is saying go for it as I should only get stronger once I'm at a normal weight.