chronic pain

I had L-5 S-1 fusion with disectomy,laminectomy ( spondololylisthesis)I have been in chronic pain for 4 1/2 yrs.  I have seen ortho, neuro, pain mgmt, and regular md.  I have to wear a tens unit all day.  I have been told that a steroid shot would reduce scar tissue and swelling.  The only problem is that I took Dexamethasone and by the 3rd day I had gained 15 lbs of fluid with a rash all over my body.  I had to take diuretics in the hospital.  So is there another form of steroid that I can take?    

[Tuckamore]

Hello Babysue,

Welcome to the Pain Management Forum. I am sorry that you are in pain and experienced such extreme side effects from Dexamethasone.

In my opinion if you reacted to one steroid you may react to all of them to one degree or another. It's similar to a penicillin allergy. If you are allergic to penicillin you are also allergic to amoxicillin, dicloxacillin and usually all other forms of "cillins."

However steroids normally treat and reduce an allergic reaction, the histamine effect of our body. Was it determined that your reaction was entirely related to the steroid? Sometimes much can depend on the dosage/strength of the steroid and the chemical make up of your system at the time of the reaction.

Fluid retention is a normal side effect of a steroid. I admit yours was extreme. You may react differently to an injected form the the drug instead of an ingested form. I would ask for a allergy consult. I would think that their speciality would be best suited to answer your questions.

Best of luck to you. Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I will watch for your updates with interest.

Take Care,
Tuck