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How Long Do Prednisone And Norco Take To Be Effective?

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Posted on Fri, 23 Dec 2016
Question: I was diagnosed with lumbar radiculopathy, was given a shot of prednisone and also instructed to take it for 15 days with Norco 10mg for pain. I'm on my 4th day of treatment, yet the level of pain is the same as it is 4 days ago. Please let me know how long it takes for this treatment to take effect. Thank you.
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Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Need a few more days to weeks to see evident effect....

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I read your message and understood your problem.

In patients with radiculopathy, first, is tried with medications to reduce the pain. Non-surgical treatment should be conducted for 6-8 weeks. During this period of time drugs and spinal injections are used to relieve the pain.

My opinion is that you must substitute Norco with another pain medication. Patients that have taken opioids before may develop tolerance to the drug and the pain does not disappear. Opioid drugs are strong painkillers and they must act immediately after ingestion.

Talk with your spine doctor or family doctor to change the painkiller. The painkillers you need are not OTC drugs so ask for a new prescription by a doctor.

If the medication options available do not help in reducing the pain, surgery must be done to decompress the nerve. If you notice progressive muscle weakness and have severe leg pain you must run the surgery without waiting too much.

Hope this is helpful.
Dr.Albana
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 7302 Questions

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How Long Do Prednisone And Norco Take To Be Effective?

Brief Answer: Need a few more days to weeks to see evident effect.... Detailed Answer: Hello, I read your message and understood your problem. In patients with radiculopathy, first, is tried with medications to reduce the pain. Non-surgical treatment should be conducted for 6-8 weeks. During this period of time drugs and spinal injections are used to relieve the pain. My opinion is that you must substitute Norco with another pain medication. Patients that have taken opioids before may develop tolerance to the drug and the pain does not disappear. Opioid drugs are strong painkillers and they must act immediately after ingestion. Talk with your spine doctor or family doctor to change the painkiller. The painkillers you need are not OTC drugs so ask for a new prescription by a doctor. If the medication options available do not help in reducing the pain, surgery must be done to decompress the nerve. If you notice progressive muscle weakness and have severe leg pain you must run the surgery without waiting too much. Hope this is helpful. Dr.Albana