Fibromyagia Is Corticosteroids An Option?
The Risks Of Corticosteroids
When Treating Fibromyalgia
There are some health care professionals who believe that by raising levels of cortisol the stress hormone by prescribing low level doses of corticosteroids, that fibromyalgia syndrome and chronic fatigue patients may get relief from many of their symptoms. Treating fibromyalgia can be very difficult as there is no one fibromyalgia medication to treat fibromyalgia. The wide range of fibromyalgia symptoms makes a one size fits all approach impossible. So doctors are left with basically a trial and error approach based on research and fibromyalgia studies.
This is based on the fact that research shows that a large number of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue sufferers have a dysfunction in their brain system that regulates their stress response, and studies have shown that corticosteroids are a class of drugs that mimic the natural cortisol, a hormone produced naturally in the adrenal cortex or outer regions of the adrenal gland.
Steroids evolved into the realm of medicine around the late l940′s. Initially given to arthritis patients via daily injections, the treatment was a great success, and improved the painful symptoms of arthritis dramatically. However, it seemed there was a price to pay when used on a long term basis.
Cortisol play a key role in our body’s by controlling the electrolyte salt and water balance in our body, as well as regulating protein metabolism, fat metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. We need cortisol to maintain a balance within our body to help decrease or prevent the triggering of allergic and inflammatory responses, stress, trauma, and emotional distress.
The tricky part is when you have too much cortisol being produced it can trigger another response that prevents our white blood cells from functioning properly and leave us more vulnerable to infection.
Because of the possible health risks associated with using any corticosteroid individuals are prescribed by a doctor, and should be followed closely by a doctor. These medications are very effective at treating many conditions, but as with any medication proper guidelines need to be followed to prevent or minimize the potential side effects
Corticosteroids can be used to treat many inflammatory conditions but for this article we will be addressing:
- IBS
- Lupus
- Chronic Fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Arthritis
What Are The Side Effects Of Corticosteroids?
- Abdominal Pain – Stomach Ulcers
- Acne
- Cataracts
- Decreased Immune Function
- Decreased Muscle Strength
- Depression
- Easy Bruising
- Hair Loss
- Hyperhidosis -Excessive Sweating
- Increased appetite
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Increased Fat in the face, back, chest, face, and stomach
- Mood Swings
- Onset Of Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Slowing Healing of Wounds
- Swelling of Extremities
- Thinning of Skin
- Weight gain
Which Is Better Short-Term Vs. Long-Term Corticosteroid Therapy?
Many doctors will prescribe steroids for a short term period where a dose starts higher and is then tapered off over at period of a week or two. This usually results in a dramatic improvement in symptoms for many patients. Long term use is usually limited to severe disorders that require the medication to maintain a quality of life not possible without the medication. Long term use of low level corticosteroid can be prescribed and monitored by a doctor for months and even years.
Doses of any corticosteroid should be tapered off gradually, so that the adrenal glands can begin to produce natural levels of cortisol, if the medication is stopped abruptly it can result in other problems associated with an adrenal crisis. The sudden withdrawal of the medication can result in symptoms such as: muscle pain, joint pain, inflammation, stomach pain, headaches, and severe mood swings.
All medications have a risk of side effects as well as interactions with other medications, please inform your health care professional of all medications you are taking.
Learn more about corticosteroids:
References:
http://www.webmd.com/chronic-fatigue-syndrome/news/20080321/steroid-for-chronic-fatigue-syndrome
http://arthritis.about.com/cs/steroids/a/corticosteroids_2.htm
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