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Have Debilitating Lower Back And Leg Pain. Prescribed Vicodin And Prednisone. Side Effects?

Posted on Sun, 4 Aug 2013

Question: Hello, I'm actually traveling and overseas in NYC at moment. I've had excruciating debilitating lower back and left leg pain. Ive been told it was muscle spasm and given vicodin but it didnt ease the terrible pain. Dr sent me to MRI and have a L5 S1 herniation and have given me 5 days of Prednisone. Steroids give me concerns although I've never used them. Could I get bad side effects if only using for 5 days? Many thanks

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (32 minutes later)

Hi, thanks for writing to XXXXXXX
By the description, the cause of your lower back pain and leg pain is the PROLAPSED INTERVERTEBRAL DISC at the level of L5-S1 causing compression over the nerve root and not due to muscle spasm.

In an acute attack, along with analgesic medications, oral steroids are also given in an attempt to reduce the inflammatory oedema of the nerve root which inturn will cause regression of the symptoms and eases the pain.

In general, a short course of prednisone for 5 days will not produce any deleterious effects in the body.

Hope I have addressed all your issues. Happy to help for any further clarification.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (11 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply, makes me feel a bit better about giving them a go as the pain has been like nothing I have experienced before. If the steroids are working on reducing the inflammation I guess that won't deal with the immediate pain until the inflammation goes down, so my question is Can I take Hydromorphone at same time for a couple of days? So far this has been the only thing that reduces in any way the intensity of the pain. Thanks again Claire

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (18 minutes later)

Hi XXXXXXX Let me put some facts about HYDROMORPHONE

* Hydromorphone in an EXTENDED RELEASE form will take care of the pain round the clock
* It has a HABIT FORMING nature and so should be used with caution
* Alcohol should not be taken along with Hydromorphone as it will lead to XXXXXXX side effects
* Also, it should not be taken for longer periods and in larger quantities without doctors advice
* It can impair thinking abilities , so be cautious while driving.
* It should not be stopped abruptly after prolonged usage as it may cause withdrawal symptoms

There is no harm in taking Hydromorphone along with prednisone. Infact, you will have double impact both on pain and inflammation in a single stretch.

Have a great day.

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

Follow up: Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (6 minutes later)

Thank you, yes I am aware it is a serious pain reliever. I only have enough for a few days as the Dr here did say it is a heavy duty pain medicine, and in fact a narcotic. I just didn't want to take both without knowing if it was safe. I'm just wanting something that will allow me to get up off the bed and walk without the shooting pain, hopefully the Prednisone will have some results within a few days. Thanks again Claire

Answered by Dr. K. Naga Ravi Prasad (3 minutes later)

OK XXXXXXX I wish you a very quick recovery.

Happy to serve you again (just in case). Good luck

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