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Suggest Treatment For Severe Back Pain And Elevated BP

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Posted on Mon, 20 Feb 2017
Question: I have been having back pain and I also have noticed my blood pressure has gone up. My last reading was 134 over 85. I have always had low blood pressure. I work out and do cardio exercises. I also have a very difficult time sleeping. Sleep aids are not helping. I am currently taking a 7 day steroid pack to reduce my inflammation in my back. I need some help.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (57 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Steroid induced

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.

Your blood pressure (BP) is not high, but the hike is probably steroid induced.

Steroids are responsible for water and salt retention and rise in BP that you are facing.

Now, this high BP doesn't require any medicine. you just need to cut down salt in diet and discuss with your doctor to get rid of the steroid as soon as possible.

As far as low back pain is concerned, treatment depends on the cause. That is, it's either muscular or radicular in nature (due to nerve compression).

A MRI Lumbo sacral spine should be performed, if doubtful in nature.

For muscular pain, i advise to take a combination of pain killer and muscle relaxant containing Diclofenac and Thiocholchiside.

You should do hot fomentation of the affected area and apply Diclofenac ointment locally.

You should go for physiotherapy of back particularly Ultrasonic heat massage.

This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (25 minutes later)
Dr Ansul, I should be off steroids in 3 days and hopefully my blood pressure gets lowered, but my I am sleep deprived. I use Lunesta and Melatonin with little success. Percocet helps, but I really don't want to continue on a narcotic. I am getting desperate and my doctor also prescribed 25mg of pamelor to take at night.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Pamelor is a good option

Detailed Answer:
Hi, Yes, Once steroids are off, your BP would come down to normal. Now, as far as your sleeping issue is concerned, Percocet is an option, which reduces pain and does helps in sleep too. Howeber, it is addictive, and so you can take it on SOS basis. That is whenever required.

Pamelor would help you in sleep as well as pain too, so you may take it for a while till your pain gets relived. However, it also has addiction potential!! So you should be cautious.

Another helpful drug in such cases is Zolpidem. It makes you sleep wonderfully and can be used for short term treatment of insomnia. If used for a week or 10 days, has low addiction potential. But if taken for long, has high abuse potential.

Good Luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (11 minutes later)
Thank you, this was helpful.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Good Luck

Detailed Answer:
I wish you a speedy recovery.

If you have no further query, i request you to please close the discussion and rate it!
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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Answered by
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Dr. Anshul Varshney

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 3071 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Back Pain And Elevated BP

Brief Answer: Steroid induced Detailed Answer: Welcome to Healthcaremagic. Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern. Your blood pressure (BP) is not high, but the hike is probably steroid induced. Steroids are responsible for water and salt retention and rise in BP that you are facing. Now, this high BP doesn't require any medicine. you just need to cut down salt in diet and discuss with your doctor to get rid of the steroid as soon as possible. As far as low back pain is concerned, treatment depends on the cause. That is, it's either muscular or radicular in nature (due to nerve compression). A MRI Lumbo sacral spine should be performed, if doubtful in nature. For muscular pain, i advise to take a combination of pain killer and muscle relaxant containing Diclofenac and Thiocholchiside. You should do hot fomentation of the affected area and apply Diclofenac ointment locally. You should go for physiotherapy of back particularly Ultrasonic heat massage. This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me. Stay Healthy. Dr Anshul Varshney , MD