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Are Weight Gain, Muscle Fatigue And Muscle Atrophy Side Effects Of Corticosteroid?
Question: Hello Dr
I was wanted to ask a question regarding Fat Atrophy due to the body being over exposed from cortisol
Last year in XXXXXXX i recieved 2 shots of corticosteroid on my knee for bursitis. Weeks later i went to see an endocronologist for symptoms regarding weight gain, muscle fatigue, mood change, muscle atrophy. After a series of test, the doctor wanted me to see a neurosurgeon for the possibility of a tumor in my pituitary gland(cushings disease). We later confirmed after an MRI that i had a small tumor. I had surgery last year in November. After surgery i was on hydrocortisone with a slow taper of 5mg per week. Ive been off the medication for 4 days and im waiting to get my cortisols re tested
My question is,
My face, thigs and glutes have gained alot of weight after the corticosteroid shots last year. My facial cheeks sag and i have alot of cellulite in my glute area. Now im guessing this was from the over production of of cortisol. I figured my body was already producing too much cortisol and with the corticosteroid shot it caused more harm. Is there any way to reverse the affects of the facial sagging? Glute cellulite? Also in my facial area i cab feel my skin around my jaw very thin and can feel my jaw bones
I was wanted to ask a question regarding Fat Atrophy due to the body being over exposed from cortisol
Last year in XXXXXXX i recieved 2 shots of corticosteroid on my knee for bursitis. Weeks later i went to see an endocronologist for symptoms regarding weight gain, muscle fatigue, mood change, muscle atrophy. After a series of test, the doctor wanted me to see a neurosurgeon for the possibility of a tumor in my pituitary gland(cushings disease). We later confirmed after an MRI that i had a small tumor. I had surgery last year in November. After surgery i was on hydrocortisone with a slow taper of 5mg per week. Ive been off the medication for 4 days and im waiting to get my cortisols re tested
My question is,
My face, thigs and glutes have gained alot of weight after the corticosteroid shots last year. My facial cheeks sag and i have alot of cellulite in my glute area. Now im guessing this was from the over production of of cortisol. I figured my body was already producing too much cortisol and with the corticosteroid shot it caused more harm. Is there any way to reverse the affects of the facial sagging? Glute cellulite? Also in my facial area i cab feel my skin around my jaw very thin and can feel my jaw bones
Brief Answer:
3 months to 1 year
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
It is possible that the steroid injections have added to the problems caused by Cushings disease.
You had the surgery for cushings disease only 3 mnths back. We still need to confirm if you have cured from Cushings disease. I was wondering if they did a serum cortisol after 3rd day of the surgery in the morning. That value alsocan predict if you are cured. And what did the tumour biopsy show ?
If the tumour was completely removed and if you are cured, you can expect to notice some improvement by 3-4 months. Depression and anxiety symptoms take longer time to improve. Body appearance takes around 6 months or more to improve.
I have had patients who looked totally different 1 year after the cure. They looked so different and beutiful after 1 year of cure. Please be patient. In the mean while take a diet rich in calcium and take Vitamin D too. Use proteins as well. Your muscles may be flabby from Steroid excess and it need to be self repaired. Have you had a bone density done before surgery ??
You need a guided exercise regimen with the help of a physiotherapist. Please go slow on exercise as your muscles and bones are still weak and takes time to improve.
3 months to 1 year
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
It is possible that the steroid injections have added to the problems caused by Cushings disease.
You had the surgery for cushings disease only 3 mnths back. We still need to confirm if you have cured from Cushings disease. I was wondering if they did a serum cortisol after 3rd day of the surgery in the morning. That value alsocan predict if you are cured. And what did the tumour biopsy show ?
If the tumour was completely removed and if you are cured, you can expect to notice some improvement by 3-4 months. Depression and anxiety symptoms take longer time to improve. Body appearance takes around 6 months or more to improve.
I have had patients who looked totally different 1 year after the cure. They looked so different and beutiful after 1 year of cure. Please be patient. In the mean while take a diet rich in calcium and take Vitamin D too. Use proteins as well. Your muscles may be flabby from Steroid excess and it need to be self repaired. Have you had a bone density done before surgery ??
You need a guided exercise regimen with the help of a physiotherapist. Please go slow on exercise as your muscles and bones are still weak and takes time to improve.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes they monitored my cortisol while i was in the hospital. I dont remeber the exact # but it was at 1 one day 2 and it went up to 15 i believe on day 3. Ive attach
Brief Answer:
Keen to know your cortisol values off Hydrocortisone
Detailed Answer:
thank you for the reply. We expect the body's own cortisol production to be suppressed for few months after the surgery and need hydrocortisone tablets to support during this phase. The recovery of cortisol axis can take up to 6 to 8 months. What about the biopsy report and the IHC post surgery ?
Very keen to know what would be your cortisol value now ( since you are off hydrocortisone tablet for 4 days now). This will tell us a lot about the cure from Cushigs disease
Keen to know your cortisol values off Hydrocortisone
Detailed Answer:
thank you for the reply. We expect the body's own cortisol production to be suppressed for few months after the surgery and need hydrocortisone tablets to support during this phase. The recovery of cortisol axis can take up to 6 to 8 months. What about the biopsy report and the IHC post surgery ?
Very keen to know what would be your cortisol value now ( since you are off hydrocortisone tablet for 4 days now). This will tell us a lot about the cure from Cushigs disease
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My cortisol was fluctuating after surgery. It even went as low as 1 at one point. But I am scheduled for bloodwork in one week to see where my cortisol is at. So i am curious as well
I meant to add this on my last post, no i did not have bone density before.
I started exercising today and im going by feel and listening to my body.
What do you mean by IHC?
As far biopsy report this is what my neurosurgeon wrote me
"I did remove the tumor but sometimes, because the tumor is so small, we cannot see it or send it to the pathologist. Rather, it can get lost in the blood and suction contents so the pathology may come back as negative"
My main concern is my body appearance. I had a good ammount of muscle and lose some with cushings disease. I have some flabby muscles which atrophied and have gained weight. Is this reversible with a successful treatment of cushings? Muscle add on and weight loss?
I meant to add this on my last post, no i did not have bone density before.
I started exercising today and im going by feel and listening to my body.
What do you mean by IHC?
As far biopsy report this is what my neurosurgeon wrote me
"I did remove the tumor but sometimes, because the tumor is so small, we cannot see it or send it to the pathologist. Rather, it can get lost in the blood and suction contents so the pathology may come back as negative"
My main concern is my body appearance. I had a good ammount of muscle and lose some with cushings disease. I have some flabby muscles which atrophied and have gained weight. Is this reversible with a successful treatment of cushings? Muscle add on and weight loss?
Brief Answer:
Needto assess Bone density
Detailed Answer:
IHC stands for Immunohistochemistry. It is a special staining technique in biopsy.
If the tumour was so small, it may come back as negative in pathology results.
Yes, most of the body muscle mass will come back. If you are cured from Cushing;s disease, then you wil be a perfect and healthy by another few months.
STRONGLY SUGGEST A BONE DESNITY SCAN
Needto assess Bone density
Detailed Answer:
IHC stands for Immunohistochemistry. It is a special staining technique in biopsy.
If the tumour was so small, it may come back as negative in pathology results.
Yes, most of the body muscle mass will come back. If you are cured from Cushing;s disease, then you wil be a perfect and healthy by another few months.
STRONGLY SUGGEST A BONE DESNITY SCAN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Bone strength in Cushings
Detailed Answer:
CUSHING's Syndrome is one of the indication for bone density scan. Cushing syndrome can make the bones weak and fragile. It can lead to fractures, especially the hip bone and spine. To identify this, we need bone density scan and based on the results, we can start treatment to strengthen the bones.
Bone strength in Cushings
Detailed Answer:
CUSHING's Syndrome is one of the indication for bone density scan. Cushing syndrome can make the bones weak and fragile. It can lead to fractures, especially the hip bone and spine. To identify this, we need bone density scan and based on the results, we can start treatment to strengthen the bones.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If i was cured from cushings wouldnt my bones normalize? I havent had a bone density scan but i feel as if i lost some hip mass.
And what type of treatment would a patient recieve?
And what type of treatment would a patient recieve?
Brief Answer:
Calcium abd Vitamin D
Detailed Answer:
If you are cured from cushing's then the bones would normalize over a period. But there is a lag period of few months and during this time your bones are vulnerable. I do bone density scan in all of my patients with cushing's syndrome. If the bone desnity is low, they need medicines to protect the bones.
Having not done the DXA scan, the only advice I can give you is to take 1000 mg calcium and 1000 to 2000 units vitamin D daily for atleast next 6 months.
Calcium abd Vitamin D
Detailed Answer:
If you are cured from cushing's then the bones would normalize over a period. But there is a lag period of few months and during this time your bones are vulnerable. I do bone density scan in all of my patients with cushing's syndrome. If the bone desnity is low, they need medicines to protect the bones.
Having not done the DXA scan, the only advice I can give you is to take 1000 mg calcium and 1000 to 2000 units vitamin D daily for atleast next 6 months.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok i will notify my doctor about the bone density on my next appointment
I am also having trouble getting sleep. I usually fall asleep around 2am and wake up around 12pm feeling restless. After surgery my sleep patterns havent been the same.
Another issue is that im feeling depressed for most of the day. Im usually at home resting and because i feel tired and fatigue for most of the day i dont feel like doing anything at all
I am also having trouble getting sleep. I usually fall asleep around 2am and wake up around 12pm feeling restless. After surgery my sleep patterns havent been the same.
Another issue is that im feeling depressed for most of the day. Im usually at home resting and because i feel tired and fatigue for most of the day i dont feel like doing anything at all
Brief Answer:
Please be patient
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for the delay.
Your body was exposed to High levels of steroids for a long time from cushings. After the surgery the body is weaned off from that steroid effect. It is natural for you to feel kind of run down and feel depressed. This is due to steroid withdrawal effect. Not to worry. In few months, you will feel better. Fatigue will improve. Just need to think positive.
If you really feel terrible, you can request for a short term anti depressant treatment for 3 to 6 months. Go for regular walk. Meet up with good friends. Fill yourself with positive energy. Strongly belive that you are going to be better each day. Give your body and brain some time to recover and you will surely feel the improvement in due course.
Wish you speedy recovery.
Please be patient
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Sorry for the delay.
Your body was exposed to High levels of steroids for a long time from cushings. After the surgery the body is weaned off from that steroid effect. It is natural for you to feel kind of run down and feel depressed. This is due to steroid withdrawal effect. Not to worry. In few months, you will feel better. Fatigue will improve. Just need to think positive.
If you really feel terrible, you can request for a short term anti depressant treatment for 3 to 6 months. Go for regular walk. Meet up with good friends. Fill yourself with positive energy. Strongly belive that you are going to be better each day. Give your body and brain some time to recover and you will surely feel the improvement in due course.
Wish you speedy recovery.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the advice
I was told that i might feel symptoms like the one i described ahead of time. Arent there side effect to anti depressant medication? One that i would want to avoid is weight gain
I was told that i might feel symptoms like the one i described ahead of time. Arent there side effect to anti depressant medication? One that i would want to avoid is weight gain
Brief Answer:
There are newer, safer antidepressants
Detailed Answer:
Yes, there are side effects for anti depressant medications. Weight gain is a common side effect. however, there are antidepressant medications, which help to lose weight as well. You may have to discuss this issues with your family doctor . He will choose a drug which is safe for you.
There are newer, safer antidepressants
Detailed Answer:
Yes, there are side effects for anti depressant medications. Weight gain is a common side effect. however, there are antidepressant medications, which help to lose weight as well. You may have to discuss this issues with your family doctor . He will choose a drug which is safe for you.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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