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Suggest Treatment For Inflammation In Thighs And For Sciatica
Question: I had taken Methylprednisolone 4MG DOSPAK 21'S in the past for inflammation in my thigh and for sciatica. It seemed to somewhat work. Are there other meds that might work better? I am 52, height 5' 5 and presently 185 lbs. but have gained 65 lbs in the last year. This gain in weight seems to not be related to this med, but to other meds, but to less activity and antipscyctic meds.
Brief Answer:
More details are needed...
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
I have gone through your medical history and understood your concerns. There is a long list of medications you are taking. Among them, only Sulindac and Seroquel are known to cause weight gain.
With regards to the use of Methylprednisolone, I would say that the long-use of corticosteroid drugs is associated with increased weight.
To determine if Methylprednisolone has caused weight gain, I would like to have more details on its use:
- can you specify the time when you used this drug : was it within the past year or years ago?
- for how long have you been using it? (months, years, days)?
- are you currently taking it?
- have your periods been irregular during this time: last year/this year?
- when did you have the fall?
- any other drug you are using for arthritis?
Thank you for your kind collaboration!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
J have used Methylprednisolone for only 21 days as a 21 day pack in which it was decreased each few days. I took it in XXXXXXX of this year. I had the fall in May of last year. I have not had a period for years, as I had a partial hysterectomy about 7 years ago. I am not taking any other meds for arthritis, only for inflammation and muscle relaxers. I only take Sulindac at night, and only periodically so that my pain is alleviated at night. I was told that hydrocodone is not proven to work as a muscle pain reliever. Can you think of any others that might help?
Brief Answer:
Thinking of nerve blocks...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
If you had only one course of Methylprednisolone on XXXXXXX last year for only 21 days, then, by now, you should not have gained weight as the effect of such drug was only temporary.
To my judgement, in your case, the use of Sulindac and sedentary life are causing this increase in weight.
It is a must to discuss with a dietitian and your doctor to design a specific weight-loss for you. You should start losing weight as soon as possible as a normal/acceptable weight will help improve your arthritis and other health problems you have.
As you had a partial hysterectomy 7 years ago, then, hormonal imbalance might cause vitamins deficiencies, that might aggravate arthritis. A further evaluation of your blood electrolytes and vitamins and minerals is needed in order to start proper supplementation.
Taking inflammatory drugs and muscle relaxants are great choices to relieve your pain. If the pain will still persist, apart losing weight and diet changes, physio-therapy should be considered together with nerve blocks. You can discuss it further with your rheumatologist and neurologist for deciding the best option for you.
Hope it was of help! Let me know if I can assist you further!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
one of the things i am especially worried about is the fact that i have pain at night that is especially debilitating. i have a very difficult time turning over. My arms have a lot of pain, to the point that turning over is very difficult. I have never had this problem in the past, and i am sleeping in the same exact position that I have always slept. Part of it is also pain in my lower back as well. Not in the lumbar area, but more in the area where the back curves, just below the middle back. My thighs and lumbar don't seem to be affected. I was thinking that maybe part of that was how many pain relievers I have on board at night, so i decreased them. I have just started topemax, so i decreased seroquel (under my doctor's orders) and gabapentin. This is not working. I am still having the same problem. Of course, this seems counterintuitive, but my thought is that i was sleeping so deep that my muscles were not working properly. I am less sedentary than formerly, and do take walks occasionally. However, I do have a desk job. When I hurt my leg, I was doing physical therapy, but have discontinued that as I am mentally and physically exhausted by the end of the work day. Any thoughts on this?
Brief Answer:
Factors contributing to pain...
Detailed Answer:
Hi back,
Thank you for following up.
To my opinion, there are many factors causing pain especially at night:
- increased weight
- lack of physical activity
- arthritis
- dealing with anxiety problems.
If after taking the prescribed drugs, you do not feel well again, then can ask your neurologist to prescribe analgesic shots for few days.
You should reconsider physical therapy although the exhaustion you feel. Can discuss with your doctor for the best exercises to start in order not to get exhausted.
If you will feel still pain, then, should discuss with your neurologist about nerve block as a last alternative.
At last, controlling stress/anxiety will also help alleviate the pain! The more relaxed you will be, the less pain you will feel.
Hope it helped! Let me know if you have further queries!
Dr.Albana
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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