Oral Steroids???

[NewYearNewMe 0]

I am one year post-banding and am having terrible back pain with a possible herniated disc. I need to take a Medrol dose-pack (oral steroids) to decrease the swelling of the disc. I have searched the site and can not find anyone with experience taking oral steroids.

If you have taken a Medrol dose-pack or any type of oral steroids would you please let me know how it worked out. Did your surgeon even allow it? I know they can be hard on your stomach and I am hoping to be able to complete this course of treatment.

Thanks in advance for your stories.

[Lori_K 0]

Hi NewYearNewMe,

I took oral steroids twice last summer - first for a "sun rash", then for a bad case of poison ivy (I highly recommend everyone stop right now and look up poison ivy, and poison oak, and memorize what they look like - that was one of the WORST experiences I've ever had. The itching was so intense I couldn't sleep. Seriously . . . go look it up! )

Anyway, the steroids did not bother my stomach (although they did increase my appetite, ack). I didn't even think to ask my surgeon, my General Practitioner prescribed them, and she knows about my band and the need to watch medications. HOWEVER . . . that was MY experience. I know you're probably just looking for someone to share experiences, but PLEASE contact your surgeon and get his/her professional advice before you start the treatment. As always in these forums, they are not a substitute for any medical advice!

Best of luck to you

[Carolina Mom 0]

I just had to take a round of Predisone because I was in the hospital for a ?blood clot. I had severe left side pain and nausea. While in the hospital I had a CT Scan and UGI and two strong antibotics. I ended up having whelps or an allergic reaction to something. The whelps did not start until I got home. So, I had Predisone because of arthritis and fibromyalgia. I treated myself b/c I was itching so bad. I called the doctor the next morning and he said that it was ok for me to take it. He did suggest for me to take two Nexium each day just to make sure my stomach did not start bothering me. Sometime you have to have relieve. The nurse did mention that Predisone was not to be taken by Gastric Bypass patients. Good Luck and let me know what you decide.

[StLouisGal 1]

I just finished a round of prednisone. I didn't think to call the surgeon because the pain was so severe that I had to do something. I am having some problems with my stomach so I stated taking Prilosec again. I don't know if it is related or not. I would suggest you call the surgeon just to get his/her take on it. Maybe they could give you a prednisone injection instead? just a thought. I've had those and they aren't hard on the stomach.

[meme337z 0]

Hey,

I'm currently taking Predisone right now and not having any problems with it. I do take it with a little bit of food or a drink of milk so as not to have an empty tummy but so far no problems.

Hope that helps.

[Doxie 2]

I also just finished a round of prednisone for lung inflammation, I have asthma and it got really bad very quickly. My surgeon wasn't concerned but did ask me if I had any trouble with reflux and said I might have some Water retention.

I already take prilosec twice a day so that kept my stomach from being upset. My allergist told me to put the pill in a small spoonful of yogurt to help mask the taste...didn't hide the taste much at all...

I've had a few side effects, some after I was already finished taking the pills. I was supposed to take them for 10 days but only did 7. I was having some joint pain but I was so lethargic I could hardly function and you would think being so tired I could sleep, but no, had to have the insomnia part too. Had some pretty bad headaches as well. I was ravenous at times....ate the crap out of SF popcicles just trying to keep the calories down but be able to eat something. I didn't gain any weight but I didn't lose any for a couple of weeks, retained some Water. My face did break out just a little but the worst is the last 3 days I've had some itching in the private area (if you know what I mean) took me til yesterday to realize I had a yeast infection and then I realized I was getting sore areas on my tongue, looks like I probably have thrush too. I googled and found that yes, being on steroids can lead you to having either and I had to get both. I think I'll go to the clinic tomorrow because I can't take this anymore and I think I need more than an over the counter treatment.

I know that the drug does some amazing good....I can breathe again now, but I just don't know why it has to have such nasty side effects.

Hope ya'll don't have any of them to deal with.