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Chronic Pain Patient. Received Steroid Epidurals. Had Double Disk Replacement. Chest X-ray Showed Addison's Disease. Worried?

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Posted on Tue, 15 Oct 2013
Question: Hi, I am a chronic pain patient going on 4 years. For the first 2.5 years I received steroid epidurals and facet blocks at a frequency of once a month in various areas of neck and back - well above what I know is recommended, but my pain trumped my good decision making. I changed PM doctors and stopped injections for a year because the no longer seemed effective. Then earlier this year tried a facet block due to severe flare and it made the pain worse. I just recently had double disk replacement in C5 and 6. Since surgery my health has been spiraling. I do have a rare bacterial infection serrAtia mercescens in my throat that was just discovered 6 weeks after surgery but before this I was given a course of oral steroids to address the swallowing issues I was having. Since then, ive been even worse still. Long story short, I am interested in knowing what the long term risks are for this amount of steroid use in the past. A recent chest x-ray showed I have a small heart, that the radiologist suggested may be addison's disease. I have an HC background so was surprised to see this in a radiology report. I know osteoporosis is common, but what other long term risks are associated with frequent steroid injections.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Moustafa Saeed (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
unlikeley due to the injections

Detailed Answer:
Hi:

Thank you for your question

Regarding side effects of long term steroid use you can develop osteoporosis, weight gain, raise blood sugar, stomach ulcer, skin thinning and changes, muscle weakness, developing cataract in the eyes and mood changes. These are the few common implications of long term steroid.

I think you are mainly worried about Addison's disease which is a rare auto-immune disease and very unlikely to be related to the use of those injections.
It should be investigated seperately by endocrinology doctor to confirm or exclude Addison's

can you tell me how many injections you had approximately and over how many years?

kind regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
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Answered by
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Dr. Moustafa Saeed

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1997

Answered : 150 Questions

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Chronic Pain Patient. Received Steroid Epidurals. Had Double Disk Replacement. Chest X-ray Showed Addison's Disease. Worried?

Brief Answer:
unlikeley due to the injections

Detailed Answer:
Hi:

Thank you for your question

Regarding side effects of long term steroid use you can develop osteoporosis, weight gain, raise blood sugar, stomach ulcer, skin thinning and changes, muscle weakness, developing cataract in the eyes and mood changes. These are the few common implications of long term steroid.

I think you are mainly worried about Addison's disease which is a rare auto-immune disease and very unlikely to be related to the use of those injections.
It should be investigated seperately by endocrinology doctor to confirm or exclude Addison's

can you tell me how many injections you had approximately and over how many years?

kind regards