Question - Flare and Elective Surgery...

[DressageRider]

Those who read these boards frequently will remember that I have had a bruise/lump thing on my hip for nearly 6 months now. I've had the needle biopsy done and it said "inflamed fat tissue" however due to it's excessive bleeding and continued bruising, my Dermy has requested a wedge biopsy of it and the surgeon has suggested that he just remove the whole thing - to which I have no objection other than the fact that I will end up with a nearly 5 inch incision as opposed to a 2-3 inch.

My Rheumy has suggested that I get the whole thing removed. She has never seen anything like it and says she thinks I should have it all removed - and biopsied. She has not seen Lupus Profundus look like this before and she still isn't sure that is the correct diagnosis. It isn't a good thing to have something unusual which makes the Dr. curious...

Anyways - that surgery is scheduled for Tuesday morning. It is out patient and I will just barely put under and the whole thing should take less than 30 minutes.

I woke up about 3:30 this morning and I felt the familiar throb in my hips - a flare coming on. It is a doozy - I feel like I've been beat all over. I took 5 mg of prednisone this morning, but I still feel awful.

I am notoriously slow at healing up after surgery and with a flare already starting I'm worried it will be worse. Should I go ahead with the sugery on Tuesday? Everyone agrees that this thing on my hip is not life threatening in any way, however it has taken me 3 weeks to get the surgery all set up and I'm not sure what, if any will be the penalty if I cancel with late notice.

Anyone have any experience with this - or advise?

Thanks!

Janet

[Zoi]

Janet,

Maybe you can call your rheumy before Tuesday and discuss it with her? If she thinks the physical stress of surgery may worsen your flare, perhaps she can adjust your medication dosages until you recover from the surgery?

Good luck with the surgery (if you have it :blush:) and I do hope you recover from your flare very soon,

Zoi

[sandygirlj]

Janet I thinks zoi is right you should call and see what she says. I wish you the best if you do have surgery. Please keep us informed . my prayers are with you, sandy:)

[tbunny1]

Heck, if you're going to feel bad and flare anyways, maybe you should just get it done and ask for extra pain meds! :wink2:

Do call your rheumy about taking the prednisone - it is usually stopped prior to a surgery. I don't know if it is an actual problem, or they just worry about the greater risk of infection, but best to check it out.

Keep us posted - and be well Tracy

[Raglet]

hi there

it also depends on what type of lupus you have - if you have joint skin fatigue type of lupus, then saying what the heck and going ahead is a reasonable option.

but, if you have organ involving lupus that could do some real damage (beyond pain and discomfort) then you may what to have another think.

best plan is to talk with your rheumie. I know when I have any sort of surgery or procedure they always give me iv steroids for cover

good luck with it all

raglet

[neongirl]

i was under the impression that it was standard treatment to up the steroids just before/during/just after surgery. I would definitely call the rhuemie and ask, just in case you all out flare if you do have the surgery, I would ask for some extra pain meds too. It would be good though to finally get to the bottom of this, especially the bleeding, and find out what has caused it for sure. Take care:)

[DressageRider]

Thank you all for your kind replies! The flare is somewhat better - it is down to a dull, toothache type pain - not the I think I want to die pain I had on Saturday. I was just in my Rheumy's office last Wednesday - and she commented how great I looked and I was pleased to tell her I was feeling great too. Just goes to show how fast things can change!

I do have the skin/joint/fatigue variety of lupus - no organ involvement at this time, so I think I am going to just get this done. I don't think the pain can get much worse than Saturday. I'm embarressed to call my Rehumy and admit I'm down again. I think I'll do my usual and press on.

We had a low pressure go through our area on Saturday with on/off rain and I swear that type of thing really effects my joints.

I was also wondering if Antibiotics can bring on a flare? I got bit by a tick about 10 days ago. My Rheumy happened to see the swollen bite when she examined the bruise/lump on my hip - she go all excited about the tick bite and put me on Doxycyline. I live on a farm in Virginia and tick bites are a regular occurance in the spring and summer - I haven't gotten too excied about them in the past. My Rheumy had me get a lime disease test last week - but no one has called, so I assume it is negative. I think I'll quit the Doxycline soon as it is doing a number on my "plumbing" already!

Again, thanks for the responses and advise. I'll let you all know what they find in the biopsy!

Janet

[helloos]

Good luck with your biopsy !