have been on steroids for just over a year, but am pretty sure I had PMG for 2 years before as my inflamatory markers were raised, went off normal food could ot lift my arms up, had a problem with my legs and could not turn over in bed, but just recently have had awful pains in my right hip and leg at one point not being able to weight bare at all, went to hip specialist had all kind of tests and injections no better, decided it might be my spine went to spine surgeon had MRI was defernately disk in my spine, had steroid injection in disk, unbelievable the pain, but at least I can walk, but not very far, and cant pick anything up from floor as pain shoots down my leg, surgeon says he can do no more, what really worries me is I still dont want to eat, have put on loads of weight, which now is PMG and which is my spine? I also get very emotional, have been on gabapentin for pain but am trying to come off it slowly as wonder if this is making me feel more depressed, I am usually pretty happy. anyone else had similar problems? especially with the eating.
Hi Vanessa,with regard to steroids you can suffer weight gain.I put on over 2stone and had to come off them as had other side effects e.g. the steroid hump which is going away now stopped.Am on tramadol and paracetamol and have just been prescribed methotrexate..Hope you feel better soon.Oh steroids can cause depression but there again being in psi 24/7 can also make you fed up
Also, if you have a spinal problem, any extra weight will aggravate the situation. Although you say you don't want to eat, it's important that you eat the right foods, including as many known anti-inflammatory foods as you can whilst at the same time avoiding too many of those known to be pro-inflammatory. Also avoid all refined carbs as they will just lead to more sugar in your body, hence more weight. Sometimes thyroid problems can cause loss of appetitie so if you haven't already done so do get your GP to test that.
Although being in constant pain is enough to cause anyone to feel depressed, Gabapentin can also cause depression and weight gain. See if your GP will refer you to a Pain Management Clinic who will try and get you to focus on different techniques for managing pain other than relying on the Gabapentin.
Gabapentin definitely has a depressive factor. I would get off it if possible.
I was prescribed that by my GP, but since it is for nerve pain, not inflammation, I decided it wasn't for me. Too many warnings on my drug information included with the prescription.
As Judy says it is for nerve pain but some PMR patients can have a degree of nerve pain along side it.I do and the rheumatologist gave me amitryptiline so that I can get a reasonable quality of sleep.25mg left me feeling like a zombie but touch wood 10mg does not