Is it safe to get steriod injections? - Osteoporosis Message Board

tigger67 · 04-25-2007, 09:50 AM

I have chronic back pain and my dr. suggested steriod injections, but I'm worried because I have osteoporosis.

DesertBloom · 04-25-2007, 10:18 AM

Hi tigger67: You have nothing to worry about. The amount that they give you in an epidural, trigger point, or facet injection isn't enough to cause any problems. I was also told that the amount, in the injection, is less than what your body produces in a day. I've asked this question many times and every Dr including my mineral metabolism Dr said the same thing. Just to make sure as your Dr. I've had many epidurals and trigger point injections plus I've taken the Medrol dose pack, and I didn't have to worry about it. There is a limit to how much cortisone you can get in a year, but your Dr should tell you that. If you're getting an epidural, for your back, it's usually a series of 3 injections. If you are really concerned, ask the Dr who's giving the injection how much they're using and how often, and then give that info to you osteo Dr and see what they say.

Long term use of cortisone can cause osteo, so watch that.

taape · 04-25-2007, 09:24 PM

I'd have to respectfully disagree about the steriod injections. I've had dozens never going over 3 per year. I believe that some of my bone loss can be attributed this especially at the lower levels of my spine where it's considerably worse and where the bulk of the medication was injected. They just bathe the area with the medication. Also, it does have some effect on the rest of the bones throughout the body. I chose to stop the injections as soon as I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and don't have that option for pain relief unless it's for an emergency situation.

I'm avoiding taking all oral prednisone or steriods also and the only steriod I'm using is Flonase otherwise I can't breathe through my nose. I've had to on an emegency basis have injections in my nostrils which were just about swollen together. I read a medical study that one steriod injection in the nose effected the body and equalled to using the nose spray for 15 years. Unfortunately, steriods work for inflammation real well.

trail · 04-25-2007, 11:15 PM

Taape
I am glad you brought up Flonase. I had a double ear infection a few months ago for the first time in my life.(I'm 56) My internist put me on antibiotics and Flonase nasal spray once a day for 5 days. I worried the whole time, but my ears hurt so bad that I used it anyway. I have never used a nasal spray of any kind before. I wondered about it being a "steroid", but my internist knows I have osteo, so I just assumed she thought it was okay. Is occasional use of a nasal steroid putting someone with osteo at risk at all? Since then I heard that such a minimal amount makes it into your body with the nasal spray, so it is not considered dangerous. What does your dr. say?
Trail

taape · 04-25-2007, 11:41 PM

Trail,
My doctor says ok to the Flonase if I absolutely need it. Of course if you don't use it it's better.I use a prescription decongestant nose spray, Astelin and it actually opens up my nose quicker than Flonase. Then I use the Flonase a few times a week in addition. The problem occured this Spring with the pollens where I was using both sprays, taking antibiotics, and using a pill antihistamine/decongestant and I still couldn't breathe through my nose. So I suffered for about 4 months with a sinus infection and despite all of the above medication I still couldn't breathe through my nose or clear up the infection. I debated quite a long time and then decided to get the nose injection of steriod. The infection cleared up in 2 days once everything started draining but I hated to do it due to effects on my bones.