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What Causes Weight Gain While On Steroids?
Question: I had facet joint injections Bilateral L4/L5 on 7th April and L5/S1 on 14th April. I waited two weeks after that before having flu injection. Not sure how long the steroid remains in the system after these injections but it is now mid July and I have experienced significant weight gain, palpitations and have severe excema like skin rashes over my body that I seem unable to clear. I have used cortisone cream and antihistamines, but now wonder whether the rash is actually a result of too much cortisone? Do you think this may be possible, or could there have been a problem with my having the flu shot after the injections?
Brief Answer:
You're still exposed to steroids through bethametasone skin cream
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concern.
Unfortunately, the use of steroids is associated with weight gain as side effect.
It will need some time after last exposure to lose weight. This will depend on:
- the dose used
- frequency of dosage
- how long it has been used or repeated
So, if your last injectons were on April, you won't lose weight for a few more months considering your age.
From what you are reporting, you are still using steroids for skin eczema you are experiencing. This makes you still exposing to steroids continuously although in small dosage.
So, I'd advise to stop using steroid cream even in small dosage on your skin.
Regarding skin eczema, as steroid use is also associated with blood glucose imbalance, if I was your caring doctor would advise you to run diabetes testing.
I also advise to run examination of skin scrapping to exclude fungal infection of the skin.
Hope it was of help.
Dr.Albana
You're still exposed to steroids through bethametasone skin cream
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concern.
Unfortunately, the use of steroids is associated with weight gain as side effect.
It will need some time after last exposure to lose weight. This will depend on:
- the dose used
- frequency of dosage
- how long it has been used or repeated
So, if your last injectons were on April, you won't lose weight for a few more months considering your age.
From what you are reporting, you are still using steroids for skin eczema you are experiencing. This makes you still exposing to steroids continuously although in small dosage.
So, I'd advise to stop using steroid cream even in small dosage on your skin.
Regarding skin eczema, as steroid use is also associated with blood glucose imbalance, if I was your caring doctor would advise you to run diabetes testing.
I also advise to run examination of skin scrapping to exclude fungal infection of the skin.
Hope it was of help.
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
Answered by
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