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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Numbness In The Hands And Feet While On Prednisone?

I was on prednisone treatment for 6 months. I finalized the treatment a www and a half ago. I have been feeling numbness and like pins and needles on my hands and feet. Is that part of the side effects of the steroids? Will this go away with time as the prednisone gets out of. Y system?
Fri, 4 Aug 2017
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM.
Thanks for putting up your query over here.
Numbness and tingling in hands and feet can be caused by steroids.
Its because steroids cause alterations in blood glucose levels and serum electrolytes.
But even other factors may be responsible for causing this.May I know you were on prednisolone for treating which condition?What where the other drugs you were prescribed with?Medical conditions like diabetes mellitus,hypertension,vit B12 or B6 deficiency,electrolyte imbalance as well as certain medications can cause numbness and tingling.
Usually the wash out period of long steroid therapy lasts till 3 months.If the symptoms are due to steroid,it may recede with time.
If I were your treating doctor,I recommend-
-Visiting neurologist to rule out other causes of numbness.
It is because of numbness,difficulty in breathing and mental disturbance are three main side effects of prolonged steroid therapy for which you need to consult your physician.
-Vit B6 and Vitamin B12 supplementation may help.
Hope this information helps.
Thanks.
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What Causes Numbness In The Hands And Feet While On Prednisone?

Hello and welcome to HCM. Thanks for putting up your query over here. Numbness and tingling in hands and feet can be caused by steroids. Its because steroids cause alterations in blood glucose levels and serum electrolytes. But even other factors may be responsible for causing this.May I know you were on prednisolone for treating which condition?What where the other drugs you were prescribed with?Medical conditions like diabetes mellitus,hypertension,vit B12 or B6 deficiency,electrolyte imbalance as well as certain medications can cause numbness and tingling. Usually the wash out period of long steroid therapy lasts till 3 months.If the symptoms are due to steroid,it may recede with time. If I were your treating doctor,I recommend- -Visiting neurologist to rule out other causes of numbness. It is because of numbness,difficulty in breathing and mental disturbance are three main side effects of prolonged steroid therapy for which you need to consult your physician. -Vit B6 and Vitamin B12 supplementation may help. Hope this information helps. Thanks.