Rotator cuff surgery

[[In...]]

I was wondering if anyone has gone through surgery during their taper?  Specifically rotator cuff surgery?  I have enver had a surgery in my life and I've never had to use anesthesia.  So, I am definitely worried!  I know I need to tell them about my valium.  They said they would use a nerve block on my shoulder and give me light sedation.  But, I want to make sure I use something other NO benzos and that I am still able to take my valium. 

I'm also worried about the pain afterwards.  I know it can be debilitating.  And, I won't be able to take many pain meds (ibuprofen is a no go after this surgery). 

I'm just at a loss.  I've only been tapering 2% because of my pain level, now I need surgery.  I'm almost out of PT visits and don't even know if I will get any after surgery.  It is a mess. 

Thanks for any input!

[[Rh...]]

Hi, I posted a similar question as I too am tapering Valium and am down to less than 2.5 mg's. I need knee surgery (I've put it off for over a year and am hurting more and more).  I am scared to go under and my doctor also said a nerve block, possibly a epidural and a light sedation.  I've been going over and over as to if I can just go for it or put it off.

 

I had a few people respond and say I should be a-okay and they too had surgery while tapering and were fine.  Sorry I'm not much help, but in the same boat!

[[In...]]

Hi, I posted a similar question as I too am tapering Valium and am down to less than 2.5 mg's. I need knee surgery (I've put it off for over a year and am hurting more and more).  I am scared to go under and my doctor also said a nerve block, possibly a epidural and a light sedation.  I've been going over and over as to if I can just go for it or put it off.

 

I had a few people respond and say I should be a-okay and they too had surgery while tapering and were fine.  Sorry I'm not much help, but in the same boat!

 

Thanks for the reply.  I've dealt with this once February of 2016.  We just figured out it was a torn rotator cuff.  I know to ask for nothing with benzos.  I am going for propofol or something, as I hear that is okay with benzos.  I m also scared about the pain afterwards and not being able to take anything.  I am only down to 18.6mg of valium or I might put it off until after my taper.  But, the doc says I might lose mobiltiy and function if I wait too long.  I'm lost. 

[[pi...]]

Hello InnerSanctuary,

 

I believe I'm the resident expert in terms of Rotator Cuff repairs. I've had one surgery on my left shoulder and 3 on my right (sigh).

 

My first surgery on the left side was performed while I was tapering. Frankly I was still pretty dumb about these types of drugs so I didn't ask questions and just let them give me whatever they normally do.  Funny though, the anesthesiologist actually spoke to me about the dangers of long term benzo use. What a surprise that was.  I told her I had crossed over from clonazepam to diazepam and was tapering. I don't remember feeling any significant issues because frankly I wasn't feeling very well anyway, due to the crossover and tapering.

 

The first surgery on my right shoulder was done when I was about one year off.  By that time I had read so much and was much better educated and proactive about my health.  My pcp at the time had listed benzos as an allergy but I still spoke frankly to the anesthesiologist.  I requested no benzos at any time and no epinephrine in the nerve block.  They agreed to my requests but I did have my husband stand guard over my IV and check everything that went in it. 

 

Unfortunately the first surgery failed. Don't let this worry you, it is not common at all.  There were four residents involved in the surgery and I do believe that something was not done correctly.  Additionally, although an attending is supposed to be there, they don't actually have to be in the OR.  I went through the same procedure in terms of requesting no benzos.

 

I had another "clean up" surgery done in 2016.  I did the same thing as far as requesting no benzos.

 

I did receive a little fentanyl and propofol was used for the anesthetic.

 

You'll most likely come home with an ice machine. Please use it religiously.  It helps the inflammation tremendously and also the pain. 

 

I received an antibiotic at each procedure.  You just need to make certain it's not a floroquinolone.

 

In terms of pain meds,  I would suggest using them if the pain in intense. It might not be.  I took just a few oxycodone, honestly I didn't need them and didn't like the way they make me feel. 

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

pianogirl 

[[In...]]

Hello InnerSanctuary,

 

I believe I'm the resident expert in terms of Rotator Cuff repairs. I've had one surgery on my left shoulder and 3 on my right (sigh).

 

My first surgery on the left side was performed while I was tapering. Frankly I was still pretty dumb about these types of drugs so I didn't ask questions and just let them give me whatever they normally do.  Funny though, the anesthesiologist actually spoke to me about the dangers of long term benzo use. What a surprise that was.  I told her I had crossed over from clonazepam to diazepam and was tapering. I don't remember feeling any significant issues because frankly I wasn't feeling very well anyway, due to the crossover and tapering.

 

The first surgery on my right shoulder was done when I was about one year off.  By that time I had read so much and was much better educated and proactive about my health.  My pcp at the time had listed benzos as an allergy but I still spoke frankly to the anesthesiologist.  I requested no benzos at any time and no epinephrine in the nerve block.  They agreed to my requests but I did have my husband stand guard over my IV and check everything that went in it. 

 

Unfortunately the first surgery failed. Don't let this worry you, it is not common at all.  There were four residents involved in the surgery and I do believe that something was not done correctly.  Additionally, although an attending is supposed to be there, they don't actually have to be in the OR.  I went through the same procedure in terms of requesting no benzos.

 

I had another "clean up" surgery done in 2016.  I did the same thing as far as requesting no benzos.

 

I did receive a little fentanyl and propofol was used for the anesthetic.

 

You'll most likely come home with an ice machine. Please use it religiously.  It helps the inflammation tremendously and also the pain. 

 

I received an antibiotic at each procedure.  You just need to make certain it's not a floroquinolone.

 

In terms of pain meds,  I would suggest using them if the pain in intense. It might not be.  I took just a few oxycodone, honestly I didn't need them and didn't like the way they make me feel. 

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

pianogirl 

 

Thank you SO much.  I am scared about surgery at all, since I have *luckily* never had any.  I've never had anesthesia, either.  He did it would be a block and light anesthesia, so I'm hoping I can ask for propofol and be okay.  I go back in 6 weeks to discuss when we will do surgery. 

How was recovery?  Did you have a complete tear? Mine is in the back tendon, so he did it will never heal without surgery.  Should I stop tapering and hold until after surgery or just continue tapering, do you think?

[[pi...]]

Hello InnerSanctuary,

 

I believe I'm the resident expert in terms of Rotator Cuff repairs. I've had one surgery on my left shoulder and 3 on my right (sigh).

 

My first surgery on the left side was performed while I was tapering. Frankly I was still pretty dumb about these types of drugs so I didn't ask questions and just let them give me whatever they normally do.  Funny though, the anesthesiologist actually spoke to me about the dangers of long term benzo use. What a surprise that was.  I told her I had crossed over from clonazepam to diazepam and was tapering. I don't remember feeling any significant issues because frankly I wasn't feeling very well anyway, due to the crossover and tapering.

 

The first surgery on my right shoulder was done when I was about one year off.  By that time I had read so much and was much better educated and proactive about my health.  My pcp at the time had listed benzos as an allergy but I still spoke frankly to the anesthesiologist.  I requested no benzos at any time and no epinephrine in the nerve block.  They agreed to my requests but I did have my husband stand guard over my IV and check everything that went in it. 

 

Unfortunately the first surgery failed. Don't let this worry you, it is not common at all.  There were four residents involved in the surgery and I do believe that something was not done correctly.  Additionally, although an attending is supposed to be there, they don't actually have to be in the OR.  I went through the same procedure in terms of requesting no benzos.

 

I had another "clean up" surgery done in 2016.  I did the same thing as far as requesting no benzos.

 

I did receive a little fentanyl and propofol was used for the anesthetic.

 

You'll most likely come home with an ice machine. Please use it religiously.  It helps the inflammation tremendously and also the pain. 

 

I received an antibiotic at each procedure.  You just need to make certain it's not a floroquinolone.

 

In terms of pain meds,  I would suggest using them if the pain in intense. It might not be.  I took just a few oxycodone, honestly I didn't need them and didn't like the way they make me feel. 

 

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

pianogirl 

 

Thank you SO much.  I am scared about surgery at all, since I have *luckily* never had any.  I've never had anesthesia, either.  He did it would be a block and light anesthesia, so I'm hoping I can ask for propofol and be okay.  I go back in 6 weeks to discuss when we will do surgery. 

How was recovery?  Did you have a complete tear? Mine is in the back tendon, so he did it will never heal without surgery.  Should I stop tapering and hold until after surgery or just continue tapering, do you think?

 

Hello again,

 

You might ask about the nerve block. Sometimes it will contain epinephrine which can cause and uptick in symptoms like anxiety.  I have always been sensitive to epi, even before benzos.  It causes severe palpitations and following that, migraines.  It was definitely worse during withdrawal, I had it in a dental procedure.  Doctors like epi because it can reduce bleeding and helps the block last longer.

 

I honestly don't think it is necessary. I didn't have epi in my nerve block and my arm and shoulder was numb for over 24 hours. 

 

My left shoulder was a partial tear and a torn bicep tendon.  I was in a sling for 4 weeks.  PT started the first week.  Overall the recovery wasn't bad, somewhat slow. It is completely healed and I have no problems with that shoulder.

 

My right shoulder had a full thickness, fairly large tear and my bicep tendon was also torn.  I was in a sling for 6 weeks and the PT started also the first week with gentle passive motion exercises.  My recovery was tough because of the failed surgery.  The knots of the sutures were loose and pulled through the tissues. No one knew this even though I felt something was wrong from the outset. Please don't worry about this, as I said it's very rare. 

 

PT is a must after surgery so I hope your ortho can recommend a good therapist. 

 

You will be able to speak to the anesthesiologist.  You should talk to your surgeon as well but most of the time they defer to the anesthesiologist.  You can also ask for recommendations for an anesthesiologist. What I did was ask the doctor who they would send their mother to. 

 

About the taper,  you can decide based on how you feel. I would probably not make any changes the week of the surgery.

 

PG 

[[...]]

I had rotator cuff surgery and my bicep tendon repaired about 3 months ago and I am tapering as well I would suggest that you hold your taper a couple weeks before you go have your surgery done and don't be in any hurry you shouldn't have any trouble at all