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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Severe Spasms In The Legs After Taking Prednisone?

I was prescribed a 9-day course of prednisone (60x3, 40x3, 20x3) for sciatica type issues. Around the 5th night, I started to have violent throbbing, spasming, clamping up and down my leg which took me to the ER on day 6 where I was given meds and an MRI was done showing a herniated disc impinging on the L4 nerve. I was released home, but had horrendous spasming pain ALL night the next 2 nights - with no sleep. The prednisone seemed to work during the day but with the 20mg of the last few days was not effective at night at all. On the 9th day, the doc pushed me back to the 60mg (with same 9-day taper) with the hope it would help my pain until I could get a cortisone shot. I still had the same issues at night, however, and I believe have determined it was due to a senna laxative causing nerve issues because discontinuing it stopped the night problem . (I subsequently saw a PT who was able to straighten out a twisted area which immediately relieved my constipation). I was able to get an appt for the epidural type cortisone shot on Thursday which will be day 6 (last day of 40mg). Is there any problem getting the shot while still on prednisone? Should I reduce the prednisone that day?
Fri, 16 Jun 2017
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Cortisone shot may help control your pain. I will advise you go for it as planned. There will be no problem if you take your shot even if you had prednisolone, however, the chronic use of steroids is not encouraged. I will suggest you stop the use of oral steroids after your shot. If pain persists, your doctor may try other treatment options like different lines of pain drugs depending on pain intensity, myorelaxants and physiotherapy and if need be surgery.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Mbuomboh Veranso
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What Causes Severe Spasms In The Legs After Taking Prednisone?

Hello, Cortisone shot may help control your pain. I will advise you go for it as planned. There will be no problem if you take your shot even if you had prednisolone, however, the chronic use of steroids is not encouraged. I will suggest you stop the use of oral steroids after your shot. If pain persists, your doctor may try other treatment options like different lines of pain drugs depending on pain intensity, myorelaxants and physiotherapy and if need be surgery. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Mbuomboh Veranso