Just a question about muscle wasting/steroid myopathy: is there anything you can do about it? I have been on prednislone in varying doses for many years and although I have had stick-y legs, they have recently begun to get very weak and I end up in a lot of pain if I try to do too much walking. I find the stairs particularly difficult, but I'm struggling just to get around. I'm really worried that I'm going to end up in a chair or using a stick (I'm only 24). Has anybody else experienced this? Is there anything I can do about it?
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salamander24
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I have very severe muscle wastage - but I'm 61 and I have been on Steroids for 50 !!!! Years
I have been deteriating slowly for 20 years - Steroids have saved my life on numerous occasions - but long term usage brings with it serious side effects - all were explained to my parents - many - many years ago - I suffer from them all - BUT AT YOUR AGE SOMETHING MUST BE DONE. YOU ARE TO YOUNG TO HAVE SO SEVERE SYMPTOMS
I was on and off steroids from 1967 whenever I had bad flare up. Unfortunately since 1991 I have been on them constantly, they said they would get me to a low maintenance dose, I now take 20mg a day but have to regularly increase as my chest worsens. I have muscle wastage, osteoporosis, reflux and diabetes all caused by steroids, but there again if I hadn't taken them I would have been long dead. Yes my life is restricted and I understand how you feel having to use things to get around, I am 62 now and still feel embarrassed using a stick. If I want to go out anywhere I have to hire a wheelchair which makes me even more embarrassed
Prolonged use of steroids can lead to Osteoporosis. You should see your GP about a bone scan (DEXA) in case you have developed Osteoporosis (or Osteopenia). Both are treated with medication and calcium/Vit D supplements. There is a lot of useful information on the Osteoporosis national charity website including advice on exercise. My 86 yr old mother has Osteoporosis and as well as the above treatment she sees an osteopath on a regular basis.
You can make sure you take vitamin d each day, many do, but you also need vitamin K so that the calcium you eat goes to your bones instead of clogging up your arteries and giving you poor circulation and heart problems
Thanks for your support. I already have diabetes, eye problems, osteoporosis with height loss from the steroids. I don't mind that so much, I'd rather be able to breathe. I think it's just frustrating that the thing that should make me able to breathe and more active isn't doing that because of the muscle wasting - and if there's anything I can do to help, I'd like to be doing it.
I would like new ways to uninflame us too! But my asthma doc is trying to keep steroids to a minimum with FeNO monitoring, so I am hopeful that I can reduce them a bit.
Recently I decided that I wanted to become stronger and bigger. My coach told me to start accept steroids. After all,it's not secret, that steroids is the most effective means for a set of lean muscle mass and increase strength. I decided to try. My friend with whom we go to the gym, advised me a website where you can buy them. thepharmacom.com. And are you thinking about it? Some of you made the order on this site? Do you like the results?
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