Depomedrol

[Jim-Burke]

  I have an 80 year old female chapter member who suffers from Myasthenia Gravis and osteoarthits of the knees. She is on a daily maintenance of 10mg of Prednisone for the MG. She has occasional injections of 80mg Depomedrol into the knee for the osteo. When she receives these injections, she states that she goes into a 'blue funk', often becoming very lethargic and listless. Her orthopaedist claims this is a withdrawal symptom from the Prednisone. Is it possible that the 2 drugs are interacting?.
  Thank you.
  J. Burke
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Thanks for the question J. These are always difficult questions to answer. We know that steroids (prednisone or depomedrol) can help in the treatment of MG by supressing the immune system. We also know that when patients first start of steroids that the MG symptoms may initially worsen. It is possible that the higher dose of steroids are making her transiently weaker. Steroids can also affect ones mood and can cause alterations in affect. It is possible that the depomedrol is affecting her mood and that is what puts her in the "blue funk". Could it also be withdrawl from the steroids - could be? The best thing sounds like avoiding the depomedrol shots if ppossible. Hope this helps. Good luck