On wednesday i had a bump biopsied on my right lateral forehead. after the procedure, my right eye and forehead drooped (from the lidocaine)--looked awful. 2 hours later i called the dermatologist who said if not better in 6 hours, go to er. it got better in 5 hours, the next day i was shot--stiff and sore everywhere, just couldnt move, felt awful all over. a big pmr reaction to the whole ordeal, i guess. yesterday nurse called to say the bump was basal cell c; i have to have a procedure where they scrape some off, then do lab test for couple hours, then scrape more, etc. can take all day. and more lidocaine, a lot more, of course. she said my eye will likely droop again, that it can last up to several months in some people, etc. i was obviously shaken by the first procedure that resulted in my eye and drooping forehead, and will probably be a lot more shaken by the next procedure that isnt scheduled yet. so heres one question: do i increase the pred just before the procedure? Im currently on 6 mg. if so, by how much and how long? my gp has said in the past that pred makes things bleed, so dont increase if you are going to bleed---which the procedure will cause, at least a little. the doc said the skin is very thin where my bump is . but im thinking of my reaction this past week and how bad i felt the next day. next question: i didnt think i was that traumatized by the first biopsy--i was shaken by the whole drooping eye thing but didnt expect to be flattened and in pain a day later. so am i nuts, do you think? thank you.
No are not nuts, sorry to hear you are having a awful time, some body will come along and give more advice, best wishes
I just had a pacemaker fitted - and everything hurt everywhere for a few days (not helped by the return journey to our local hospital with a racing driver wannabee ambulance driver - I gave him what for!). I was already at 15mg - but have reduced to 12mg in the few weeks since without any problems at all. So no, I don’t think you are nuts and I would expect the anaesthetist supervisor for the second procedure to take long term pred into consideration. Generally the suggestion for patients with compromised adrenal function for sick days is to double the dose - and you would come under that heading I’d have thought. But they are the people to ask. And I don’t bleed particularly more on pred.
thank you–i read your posts and know what a tough time you are having. good we have this forum for advice and support!
Don’t fret too much about the drooping eye/face…get some huge bumble bee sun glasses and no one will really see it but the MOHS system of treating a BCC is the best…leaves little scarring eventually and slowly scraping off the affected tissue helps to not take too much, leaving a smaller wound…the main thing is they check each scraping for your margins to be clear and they get rid of the skin cancer totally!
I have had similar flare up after surgical procedures, hospital interventions but they do calm down after a few days without increasing your pred…I am told the flare up is mainly due to the stress of it all! You would need to check with whoever is doing the procedure to ask about your steroid doses before the surgery but on most times I have been told to keep dose the same but increase after if I had a flare-up!
Good luck with it all and try to keep calm…it helps when you now have the knowledge and know what to expect…x
What a journey youve been on! ok, ill ask re dosage uppage recommendation when they call for the appointment. good idea.
…re my previous post: ‘Increase after if I had a flare-up…’ that is go back to the previously successful dose and when things start to settle - start the reduction again…hope it helps…x
Thanks–yes, its a mohs procedure. my husband has had several growths removed from his forhead (not mohs), no problem whatsoever. mine is close to the eye (lateral right side) and therefore closer to eye nerves, dermi said. its still very sore to the touch–cant lay on right side. im so hoping i dont have a big flare–arent we all?–because its summer, etc. and in the back of my pred head, i keep thinking maybe im a little vain.
so you didnt increase your pred afterwards, huh? thanks for the info! ill be sure to ask re dosage before i go.
Yes - I did increase my dose after…not before…not sure which was best but didn’t stay on higher dose for longer than a week before I started the reduction again…horses for courses I think…each of us react differently…just a guide with my info but it was definitely the stress of the surgery that caused my flare-up or so I was told…so assumed that was what caused you to feel so unwell after your initial biopsy…hopefully with fingers crossed it wont be the same now are fully informed and can get your head round it all before hand now…let us know how you get on…x
I’ve had several Mohs surgeries on my nose and all did well, you can’t even notice anything. So good luck to Twopies. I’m sure it will go just fine! To Eileen: I hope you are doing well with your pacemaker. I just got one installed on May 1; prior it was a difficult journey for me since I was scheduled for a Watchman device on 4/29, supposedly an overnight procedure. The MD tried twice to get it in, on 3rd try it got stuck, he had to call in a thoracic cardiopulmanary surgeon (while I was on the operating table, already anesthetized.) He got the Watchman out (along with a little heart tissue), put in an atroclip to close right heart appendage, and a chest tube, Two days later they installed the pacemaker (very light anesthesia, I was awake during the procedure) In the interim after the first procedure, I developed serious problems and am lucky to be here! I ended up in ICU for 5 days, and 5 more days on the cardiac floor, I had to have PT and nursing care at home after this since I became very weak after being hospitalized for 10 days. I’ve had minimal pacemaker discomfort, and am sorry you had so much discomfort after yours, Eileen. I’ve had my pacemaker adjusted twice and another due in 3 months.
Oh my gosh, elijo, now i feel like a whiny little rat after reading what you have been through. sending good thoughts your way!
Eileenh, sorry to hear of another speed bump on your PMR journey. I am recovering from anesthesia durning a 2 1/2 hour colonoscopy and endoscope. I guess we all have speed bumps along the way. Get well soon! We have to stay positive and active, hey you taught me that! With a 
Twopies, sorry to hear of more problems you must have hit all the speed bump on your PMR journey. Let hope the rest of the journey is smooth. Get well so you can move forward and get off the Devil’s TicTacs.
ooh - I am scheduled for colonoscopy on 9th July…not sure what to expect but hoping its not too grim…how was your experience…? x
Thanks! When we are going through a problem, it is always a worry to us, no matter how big or small. Best of luck to you!
Hi missmagwamp, not good I was under anesthesia, too long, a couple of hours for normally less than one hour procedure. They had to rough me up to complete the procedure and I try feel the results. Couple days later and I was okay. Hopefully you will have an easier time of it. I did NOT increase my Prednisone. Good luck think positive with a smile.
I’m still waiting for my first adjustment!! We get nothing but local anaesthesia - but that is Italy!! However, although I was in hospital for 10 days I was able to get up though not do much as I was tethered to the ECG machine, no ICU for me, and no really bad problems. Thank goodness! But it seems to be working well - none of the episodes I’d been having despite a lot less pred, BP is good and I’m on far less medication which is a joy.
Thought you’d been quiet!!!
No anaesthesia here for a colonoscopy but they don’t usually last that long! Never had an endoscopy - hope I never need one! Hope they found nothing and get well soon.
Thanks Eileenh, they took a couple of biopsies no calls so I guess they did not find anything. I working on my balance and getting stronger, plus house training a couple of puppies, that keeping me busy. Thanks for encouraging words.
I realize this is slightly off topic but I also
have PMR and at present I am at 10 MG of PRED I am schedluled for a brain scan ( MRI) no anesthetic for an unrelated problem in a few weeks …should I be concerned about a PMR reaction ..dont think this DR. an audiologist even knows I have PMR