The manmade version of hormones (chemicals that are naturally made by the body) are called steroids or corticosteroids. These steroids work like hormones in reducing inflammation. Steroids are usually prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout, uveitis, psoriatic arthritis, and other autoimmune conditions.
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Is it safe to restart Prednisone?
Query: Hi doctor, I was diagnosed with gout in left foot. It has been bothering me for a couple of weeks. Last month, I had issue with my elbow and took Prednisone. Recently, doctor said I cannot take Prednisone again so soon and was essentially screwed. Are there any other treatment options or drugs? How ... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. No, there is no such restriction about restarting Prednisone. As long as there is a clinical need and we have exhausted other options then there is no contraindication to restart steroids. Surely, NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) should be tried before pr... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I am a patient with a history of MS. I have had several bouts of optic neuritis, and I do not take steroids due to their awful side effects. However, I was recently admitted to a hospital for two weeks as I had lost feeling in my legs, accompanied by spasticity and walking issues. I was u... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I went through your query and understood your concern. I would not recommend taking another treatment with Solu-Medrol (Methylprednisolone), considering the short period of time since your last IV (intravenous) therapy. For this reason, I suggest you start with oral st... Read Full »
My sister has swelling, cushingoid facies and proximal myopathy. Why?
Query: Hi doctor, My sister is 37 years old with previous 2 LSCS. She has symptoms such as swelling over whole body and face. Along with these complaints she has weakness, tiredness, cushingoid facies, proximal myopathy, palpitation, trembling of hands and amenorrhea or slight on and off spotting. She is s... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I checked your sister's complete details (attachments removed to protect patient identity). She is suffering from relapsing nephrotic syndrome. Her cushingoid facies and proximal myopathy are steroid induced as you must be already knowing.Gradually replacing the steroi... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I was diagnosed with papilledema after suffering from bad headaches. So, I was on steroids and drinking glycerine to reduce the swelling of my optic nerve. But now I am again having headaches that mostly affect the right side of my head. As my pain is terrible, I try to reduce it by using... Read Full »
Dr. Goswami Parth Rajendragiri
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your case. But initially, we need to find the underlying cause of the papilledema. Here are my opinions: Your blood pressure needs to be checked. If the blood pressure is high, then start taking anti-hypertensive medicines. If any infection is also pre... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, This query is regarding my dad. He has been limping for a year now. He is a construction worker and about two years ago he accidentally fell down from the first floor. He reassures me that his left leg limping is not due to the fall. He had about 20 sessions of physical therapy. He went t... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. It seems that he has intervertebral disc compression that needs further evaluation. Since there are suspected demyelinating changes in MRI, he would require further MRI brain to check for any demyelination in his brain. His compression as per report is not that seve... Read Full »
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 40-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis, diagnosed seven years back. I am currently taking Mesacol 4000 mg daily, but my bleeding has not stopped for the last five months. My body has gotten used to Deltacartel. Without it, my stool passes with blood and mucus in large quantities... Read Full »
Dr. Mahmoud Ahmed Abdelrahman Abouibrahim
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand your concern. The target of treating ulcerative colitis is to stop the bloody bowel motions. The treatment of acute exacerbation includes IV (intravenous) steroids and an oral course. After controlling the acute exacerbation, upgrading the maintenance ther... Read Full »
What does borderline positive c-ANCA levels indicate?
Query: Hello doctor, My c-ANCA levels are 5.6 U/ml (borderline positive). I have hypertension and proteinuria (3g), high serum creatinine (2.4) and UTI. My other autoimmune tests and serum electrophoresis results are negative. What should I do and what is the general prognosis? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Based on your query, my opinion is as follows: C-ANCA (Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) positivity indicates Wegener's Granulomatosis. In this condition, there is involvement of upper and lower respiratory tract and kidneys. Most common diagnosis, while kidneys a... Read Full »
Can individuals suffering from stills disease for 15 years take steroids for bodybuilding?
Query: Hello doctor, I am suffering from Still’s disease from the past 15 years, and I was 13 years old at that time. Now I am 28 years old, and I have no problems from the disease since the past seven years. The treatment was with Methotrexate and Medrol (Methylprednisolone). From the past seven years,... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. If you take anabolic steroids, your Still's disease will not come back. The only concern while using steroids in your case would be that if you use them, and later stop in life, your Still's disease may relapse. You may develop adult-onset Still's disease. So my best o... Read Full »
Is it possible to treat cataract without surgery?
Query: Hi doctor, Is it possible to treat cataracts without eye surgery? I think this is at its last stage or nearby as this problem has existed for more than two years. Please suggest me some way out of this surgery threat. Thank you. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. A cataract is mostly age-related, but sometimes it may develop after drug use (steroid), trauma, or any other eye disease. Congenital cataracts are present at an early age. Till now, the only solution available is cataract surgery. Are you asking for yourself or someone... Read Full »
The 25th week pregnancy scan showed oligohydramnios and IUGR. What to do?
Query: Hi doctor, I am 31 weeks and two days pregnant. I had an ultrasound at 20 weeks, and everything was normal. However, with time, I noticed there was little or no movement, and the baby's movement was more like a ball rolling in a difficult position. So, my doctor sent me for an ultrasound at the thir... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Let me put forth few facts about pregnancy and baby growth. The growth of the baby is progressive, but if it stops at some stage, that amount of growth cannot be regained. Some reason has been missed by the doctor during the pregnancy monitoring. There could be many c... Read Full »