degenerate spine pain and steroids

[Doraflora]

a simple question that’s in my mind, but hubby with chronic pain (either arthritis in the hip and/or pain from his degenerative spine) I just wonder why Prednisolone isn’t offered as a pain relief med?

[sidra1968]

A good question, because my Degenerative Disc pain is definitely helped by the prednisone, so much so that I haven't had to get an epidural steroid injection in the lumbar region or the intraarterial hip injections for 2 years (used to be 7 months to a year), and my cervical spine injections are now 7-8 months apart versus every 5 months. I assume it's because of possible side effects and longer term effects? I mean, they DO many times offer the 6 day Medrol Pack for acute disc problems and radiculopathy, but usually that is it and if that doesn't work it's onto the epidurals.

[Pixix]

I’ve been in chronic pain for 12 years. I always thought pred isn’t offered as it’s not a medicine one should take permanently, if it can be avoided. We are all trying to reduce & stop it. When I take it for asthma or chest infections it’s a quick strong blast & off in two weeks. People with chronic pain usually need something for life, or at least a good long time, & pred isn’t recommended. I don’t think it really helps pain, as such, but I’m no doctor!!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Because it only works for inflammatory pain and - more likely - doctors are terrified of it!!

[AtopicGuy]

Prednisolone is not a pain killer: it is a steroidal anti-inflammatory. There are also many non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs). In certain diseases, but not others, reducing the levels of unnecessary inflammation also reduces pain.

Steroids come with lots of potentially serious side effects, especially if used in high doses and/or over long periods of time. They must be prescribed with care.