How can I prevent weight gain while having steroid injections?
Some people find that taking steroids leads to difficulty sleeping. Often insomnia can be caused by stress and anxiety too, so make sure you have someone to talk to about any worries. If you’re suffering, Macmillan has some good advice about the causes of insomnia and what can help.
- Contact your doctor if you haven’t had chickenpox, and you come into contact with someone who has either chickenpox or shingles, as you may need antiviral treatment.
- Talk to a doctor if you (or someone who is using this medicine), shows any signs of mental problems.
- Always tell your dentist you are having cancer treatment.
- For more information on weight gain, you can read the NHS’ causes of obesity here.
Also let them know about any other medical conditions or allergies you may have. Feeling hungrier can make it difficult to keep your weight down. Your appetite will go back to normal when you stop steroids – but some people need to diet to lose the extra weight. Some people taking steroids experience high blood pressure.
Dizziness and loss of balance (vertigo)
It is important to take steroids exactly as prescribed by your doctor. This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Promethazine may increase your risk for convulsions (seizures). If your condition does not improve or becomes worse, check with your doctor.
You might have weaker bones due to bone loss (osteoporosis). This can increase your risk of breaking (fracturing) bones. Let your doctor or nurse know if you have any problems with your eyes. Talk to your doctor or nurse about any of these side effects.
If you’re losing too much weight
Call your GP immediately for advice if you have any of the above symptoms. If this isn’t possible, contact your local out of hours service or call the NHS 24 ‘111’ service. The cause of polymyalgia rheumatica is unknown, but a combination of genetic and environmental factors is thought to be responsible. If you have pain and stiffness that lasts longer than a week, you should see your GP so the cause can be investigated.
It’s commonly accepted that girls and women face a lot of pressure to look a certain way. This can lead to low self-esteem and depression or excessive dieting, unhealthy eating habits and eating disorders. Problems with their body image can cause some women to have plastic or intimate surgery because they feel their bodies aren’t good enough.
Effects on the skin, hair and face
You might also find it hard to stop taking them and feel withdrawal symptoms if you do stop. The problem is that anabolic steroids (often simply called “steroids” or “roids”) are often used in an unlicensed way. They are used by bodybuilders and athletes to enhance performance and build up muscle. Anabolic steroids are synthetically produced drugs that mimic the effects of natural testosterone.
Skin changes
Skin thinning generally disappears once the dosage is lowered. Increased eye infections and delayed healing of the surface of the eye are also common side-effects of steroids. Please remember that you should never stop taking steroids (nor reduce the amount you are taking) without your specialist advising you to do so.
Diabetes treatment
Some types of fluid retention are common – for example, if you’re standing for long periods or are pre-menstrual. The swelling can occur in one particular part of the body, such as the ankles, buy real steroids online with credit card or it can be more general. Some studies have shown that people who sleep less than seven hours a day are more likely to be overweight than those who get nine hours of sleep or more.
Steroids save lives but we have to face-up to their side-effects
Steroids, such as cortisone, have a huge number of functions in all the cells of the body – they are required for life. In addition to being naturally produced in the body, steroids can be used as a medicine for many conditions. During these appointments, you’ll have blood tests to check the levels of inflammation inside your body.