Question:
WILL THERE BE A PROBLEM WITH DR. PERFORMING SURGERY IF YOU ARE ON STEROIDS?

I have severe asthma and cologne allergies. I am an asthma attack on 4-21. My surgery is scheduled for 4-26 and I was given steroids for five days and will be off before the surgery. I'm scared to contact my surgeon for fear of postponement. My pulmonolgist was going to put me on steroids before the surgery for precaution but I was clear and fine at the appointment so he decided against it. Are there any asthmatics that had surgery while still on steroids? I have waited since 11-99 to have this surgery. Please help!!!    — Margaret M. (posted on April 22, 2001)

April 22, 2001
Margaret, please don't panic. I am the Queen of Steroids <G>. I have been steroid dependent for roughly 10 years. I have not been off them during that time at all. I am now 4 months post op. I still have to take them, and I have occasional asthma attacks, but I am on a lower dose and the attacks are not as severe. I know there are SOME surgeons who will refuse to do patients on steroids, but most experienced surgeons will have no problem. There are certain extra precautions they might take, like I had to have a feeding tube and supplemental nutrition for almost three weeks after surgery because my surgeon wanted to make up for the steroids, but other than that, I had no problem. So try not to panic, but your surgeon and the anesthesiologist MUST** MUST** know that you have recently taken steroids. So please, contact your surgeon and let him know. If you have any more questions about the steroids and surgery, please email me: [email protected] Good luck!
   — Maria H.