Why do steroids give me back mobility?

When I'm on prednisone, I am able to move without pain and bladder incontinence. At times, I'm not able to move my legs and I think it's because my brain is trying to protect my body from the pain it will experience when I move. There are times that I have no urge to urinate, but lose complete control of my bladder when tryiing to walk.
My PCP doctor told me that since the steroids make me feel and move normally, my back problem is fixable, because it may be a nerve issue. He is referring me to a neurosurgeon and I don't have an appt yet. I would like to know why the steroids take the pain and incontinence away.

My PCP will no longer put me on steroids, because after two weeks, I gave signs of a future GI bleed, if I continue on Prednisone. I have not been taking any NSAIDS for months.

[ggreg]

Steroids reduce inflammation big-time.  If you have a back injury, for example, and wind up in the ER, lots of times they'll give steroids if the spinal cord is in jeopardy of damage by swollen and inflammed tissues nearby it.  Same thing with nerves that come out from the spinal cord and are located just beyond the spine, if it swells up in there, it can pinch nerves and make them hurt or lose function.  The reason your legs won't move sometimes or you get urinary incontinence, is because some nerves in your lower back, to include the spinal cord itself possibly, are being cut off by some injury, plus the resulting inflammation and swelling are pushing on the nerves or spine, cutting off their signals to all things below that spot.

You have got to go to the neurologist.  To lose function of your legs and urination is a pretty significant deal, and if the problem in your back isn't addressed, you could possibly end up permanently paralyzed!  Not to scare you or anything, but don't put that off, for heaven's sake.  The neuro needs to scan your back and find out what's going on in there, and he can give you other medications that won't cause bleeding the way steroids sometimes will.  He will probably prescribe physical therapy, maybe a back brace, until he can get you into surgery, if he must choose that route.  

While you wait for your appointment, if you get yourself in a significant amount of pain, or absolutely cannot walk or stop peeing on yourself, go on over to the ER, they might can give you shots or medicine to tide you over any rough patches, OR you can ask your regular doc to put you back on prednisone for a few days, just to give you a little relief.

[Sassybanjo]

My PCP told me Tuesday that he doesn't want to give me anymore steroids because of what is going on with my stomach. He said he may be willing to place me on only 5 mg. a day, so I called him yesterday. He told me "no". If I get to where I have problems walking, I'm sure he won't leave me hanging.

The thing is, I've been to six spinal doctors since 11/2008 and they all refer me to someone else. I went to the first neurosurgeon last week and he is referring me to another neurosurgeon at Vanderbilt (I live near Nashville). I'm still waiting for the consultation paperwork to be completed so I can get an appt.

I believe the real issue is that the docs I've seen don't want to be responsible for treating me because I was born with Cerebral Palsy. In my mind, it shouldn't be a problem, but I have no idea what they're really thinking.

I have been checked for Cauda Equina and have been to the emergency room for the incontinence. I've been on Enablex for two weeks and it does help..but there was a moment when I couldn't move and I did lose bladder control when I was on the meds.

[ggreg]

Six spine docs, gosh, I'm sorry you're getting passed around like that.  But it sounds like perhaps your latest referral will be the right doc.  It could very well be they wanted to hook you up with somebody who understands Cerebral Palsy, so he can separate out your spine problems from your "regular" behaviors.  Or could be it has nothing to do with your Palsy but rather you may need an operation, and so they're just trying to narrow down the right fellow.  But whomever this last one is, after he's come to some conclusions about your situation and explains it to you, do not let that guy go.  If he wants to send you to yet another specialist, that's when you tell him how many docs you've gone thru, and all in the world you want is relief and also reassurance about paralysis.  He might want to begin with a moderate approach, which is medicine and physical therapy, so that might happen, which you'll be reporting back to him and he won't let you go.  Or he may want to try surgery, either before or after physical therapy.  But anything else, resist him sending you elsewhere.  I mean, if it was his wife who had your problems, he had best have a mighty good reason to pass you around yet again.

While you're waiting for your appointment to get set up, you can take ordinary Alka Seltzer to help with inflammation and yet it won't hurt your tummy, and you can also put cold packs on your back where the pain seems to be and that will reduce swelling.  If there's some movement you can do with your legs that does not hurt, try to do it so as to keep strength, but don't do anything that causes your legs to hurt if you can help it.  You can also try to strengthen your tummy muscles by pulling them in tightly a few times a day, that's what supports the spine.

I have spinal issues, too, and sometimes I worry I'll get paralyzed, too.  But I remind myself of just how tough the spinal system really is.  You know how when you cook a chicken, and the gristle back bone is so tough and surrounded by lots of hard tissues?  Well, our spines are surrounded by all sorts of stuff also, to keep the bones in place and protect the spinal cord.  It would take a direct blow to paralyze yourself, so I hope you can relax with this thing while the wheels of medicine turn SO slowly.  Took me years to get somebody to finally take proper care of me, too, and I'm much happier now.

[Sassybanjo]

Thanks for the info. I really appreciate it!

I have been through PT and chiropractic. Last week, I put my back medical history on paper so when I do see the next doc, he won't have to ask me dates and doctors' names...he can just read it all. I also have the 2 MRI scans that were done.
Recently, I've been having swelling in my ankles too. I'm writing it all down. :)
I'll check out the Alka Seltzer. Thanks for letting me know about it.
I'm glad you're getting the proper care and are happy now.