Need Help, Herniated cervical & Lumbar disc + RA

**Denise*661** · 03-04-2016 01:05 AM

Had several sessions of steroids injections and have gained SEVERAL lbs!!! This is just so frustrating!
Anyone dealing with this or something similar please send me a private message.

**Aydensmomma** · 03-04-2016 09:20 AM

That sounds really fustrating! I haven't gone thru what you are going thru but I want to say that I do hope those steroids are helping you. Are the steroids a continuing treatment or are you done with them?

**Pam G** · 03-04-2016 06:17 PM

I have some herniated cervical discs, too, and the best thing I've found is pulling the vertebrae apart to allow the disc fluid to flow back in. An inversion table is good for this or you can find a spine clinic that does decompression.

**Kindle** · 03-04-2016 06:48 PM

I had disk compression and narrowed foramen in my neck several years ago. While waiting for my fusion surgery, I was on steroids and hydrocodone for months, but I found the greatest relief with my chiropractor. He consulted with my neurologist and several colleagues to come up with a pain management plan. He calculated just the right angle and pressure to decompress my spine/neck on his traction table that provided GREAT relief.....similar to what Pam G described. I went in 1-2 times/week and it Worked better than all the drugs.

Since VSG I've had recurrent symptoms of nerve impingement but at the level below my previous fusion site. Not bad enough for surgery yet, but I have gone through several courses of prednisone. During those times, I make sure I'm taking a PPI and sucralfate to protect my GI tract from ulcers. I also watch my food and fluid intake very carefully. Part of the weight you've gained is likely water weight (steroids will do that) and I never worried about that. As long as you are eating STRICT on plan, protein and veggies only, getting plenty of protein and fluids, you shouldn't gain too much. And when my steroid treatments were done I just amped up my efforts to lose the couple pounds I gained.

**Belle2** · 03-04-2016 08:11 PM

Denise: I always gain weight from steroids. It is very discouraging. Fortunately I didn't need them this winter, even though I had an upper respiratory infection. They play hell with your appetite. The good thing is when you stop taking them, you'll go back to normal. Just do your best.

**Denise*661** · 03-05-2016 12:45 AM

Thank you all so much for replying back! That was my main concern, not knowing if i was going to he about to lose what i had gained

This last month i lost all hope and started eating stuff i shouldn't (not horrible ) but i know its something i shouldn't of done. Will start tomorrow again.
I've tried twice going back to liquids but my pain meds just kill me with pain on a empty stomach. Maybe with this last set of injections i can ease out on my meds and do at least 1 week and then start frest again .

**Kindle** · 03-05-2016 08:24 AM

You dont necessarily need to go back to liquids. Just smart, healthy choices of protein and veggies. Stay away from the stuff you shouldn't eat. Sounds like they could be the culprit, not the steroids. I do still drink a protein shake every day, just to help meet goals, but it's easy to fill up on low cal nutritious food like chicken, tuna, shrimp, eggs, spinach, Brussels sprouts, carrots, broccoli, salad, cabbage, zucchini, etc and still lose weight.

As for the pain in your stomach, sounds like it could be acid, gastritis or even ulcers. are you taking a PPI or H2 blocker or sucralfate? The steroids are damaging your GI lining, and those can help. In the meantime stay away from acidic stuff like coffee and tomatoes (Google foods to eat/not eat if you have an ulcer) and don't forget to drink a lot of water.