Wellness

[PMG055]

I am 64 and I had a total knee replacement in 2012. My orthopedist and his pa said I must take premed before all dental procedures for the rest of my life.  Dentists sometimes dispute that.  I go with taking the premed. It is my life.  I won't take risks with it.

[kismet]

My dentist writes my prescription also.   I get 10 at a time and have to take 2 before an appointment.  When I had my colonoscopy the nurse at the doctor's office said she had TKR and her doctor said she didn't need them for this procedure.  I told her my doctor told me I need them so took them before the procedure.  I'll go by what my knee doctor says because he's probably seen the result when someone didn't take them as prescribed.

[hckynut]

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@kismet wrote:

My ortho doctor and my dentist require I take an antibiotic before dental work.  My dentist even tells me to remember to take it when she calls to remind me of the appointment and then when I get into the chair she asks me if I took it and when.  I am old enough to remember and it makes me feel like a child.  I understand she cares but I can remember.  At times I may be busy before leaving so I put a note on my mirror and what time I have to take it. 

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@kismet 

Two of my doctors offices call me the day before my scheduled appointment, I do not view that as "treating me like a child". I appreciate the reminder.

As for meds? I take several and have since 2002. Have I ever forgotten. Me asking myself that question to myself and answering it:    "of course I have you idiot"!

Now me talking to me. If i had to rely 100% on my "short term memory"? I would be in deep do-do.

We are quite different in this respect, no?

hckynut

[Thats Me]

I guess it depends on the surgeon. I took amoxycillin for 3 years after my knee surgeries before having any dental work, colonoscopy etc - it's anything that can cause bleeding. But I don't take them anymore. There's concern about developing antibiotic resistance. Still, I'd follow the surgen's orders. Patients have different risks and histories.

[hckynut]

@blackhole99 

I agree with the Dentist. Why would anyone risk an infection by not taking an antibiotic? You swallow a pill for several days. To me that is no big deal and my friend, my wife's Ortho Surgeon, has told me how an infection can cause serious risks, beyond the TKR itself. His sole practice, within his group, is Hip and Knee Repair and/or Replacement.

New school of thought? Not in this Specialist Surgeon when it comes to the Risk of Infection.

hckynut