Weight gain with steroid epidural injections

Hmmm...and all this time I thought it was because of the meds I'm on and the fact that i can't do things I used to do. The next time hubby says something about my whole 120 lbs, I can say that it's because of the epidurals I get every three months! Personally I thought it was age, the hysterectomy and the meds causing me to have my pooch. Not that I really want the excuse, but it sure helps knowing there's an underlying cause. I can't tell you what to do to get rid of it as I can't do most of the excersises anymore...I can't even clean the house anymore and I'm a housewife! Let me know if you find a low-impact excersise.

I had 3 epidural injections at L4/5. The injections were given over about a 5 week interval. I did not gain any weight as a result. I actually lost weight when my disk was herniated. I stayed with a friend that knew it would be easy for me to gain weight since I could not move around. I was obese to begin with. My friend controlled almost all of my food intake. I ate a diet high in vegetables, then protein, then fruit, then starches (bread, rice, pasta). I was allowed very few refined carbohydrates. In 7 weeks, of little movement, I lost 15.5 pounds. The original goal was simply not to gain any weight. I did notice though that the weight loss did not affect my waistline all that much and was more in the face and arms. Perhaps the epidural did affect me some.

I just finished my third epidural injection. I have put on about 20 pounds in the last six weeks but the injections have helped my back. It seems that I am craving sweets more than anything else. Also, I suffer from depression and my doctor told me that food cravings are normal and they satisfy the part of my brain that makes me feel good. So I guess a few pounds may be worth the extra weight if it helps me with my back pain. I am going to ask back doctor about swimming a few times a week and see if that will help with the appetite and the back pain. It is hard to exercise when you can't bend very well and I have had three knee surgeries in the past year. Anyone have any other ideas that might help me with weight gain and exercising?

Epidural steroid injections are commonly used to treat radicular pain (pain radiating down an arm or leg) caused by compressed or irritated spinal nerve roots. Pain radiating down the leg is referred to as sciatica. Herniated discs and spinal stenosis are common causes of spinal nerve compression / irritation. Epidural steroid injections also reduce inflammation of facet joints and are sometimes used to treat moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the spine. ESI injections are not used for musculo-skeletal pain.

Steroids

I was rear ended by a drunk driver in 1990 and have suffered with chronic lower back pain, neck pain, and shoulder pain since then! From 1990 until May 2010 I have had the series of three epidural steroid injections each year! I started out at 108 pounds and ballooned up to 235 pounds which made the lower back pain worst! My face was always puffy and I developed a double chin. The injections only offer limited relief in my case but was about my only option other than medial branch nerve blocks which I have done about every 5 years! The only advice that the doctor could offer me about the weight gain was that I know the injections will cause me to gain weight from the out of control appetite the steroids cause is to not eat! Great advice there! Then when they prescribed Lyrica. which causes weight gain as well! That was when my weight really got out of control~ I did finally get it though! Since May of 2010 I have lost from 237 to 142 pounds! Since I know that the steroids cause me to gain weight because they cause an increase in my appetite I only nibble! It was actually good advice. You know the steroids cause weight gain just cut back on what you consume! I monitor every bite that goes into my body~ I started eating the lean cuisine 300 calorie entree's and it works for me! Now of course with the compound mixture of pain meds which leaves everything tasting like cardboard I use don't eat as much! My advice is if the steroids do not provide enough relief from the pain to justify the weight gain and puffy face Do Not Have Them Done! In my instance they only made my lower back pain worst as the weight gain put more stress on my spine, which in turn caused even more pain~ Everytime you get that ravenouos urge to eat the steroids cause I nibble on some nice baby carrots! The steroids also caused violent mood swings and rage in me so I won't take them anymore! Not worth all the problems they caused me! The steroids will only last in your system for about 6 months I was told and only provide relief for about a year if you are lucky! Eventually they are out of your system so just continue on with your exercise programs and also try some facial exercises to combat the steroid effects. Also drink lots of water and stay hydrated! Hope this helps! Hopefully though you won't have to have the injections done each year as I did so the effects will eventually subside! Steroids are really hard on your body and in my opinion not worth the effort and the side effects they cause!

Hello,

You blog has good information on spine universe community advice.

Thanks,
Ilchi Lee