Methylprednisolone side effects??? Help!?

Question

I was prescribed methylprednisolone after a dental procedure. The pack is the one where you take 6 pills at 4mg each for the first day and then taper it down each day for the next 6 days. I have taken my first 2 days worth of the pills and I have muscle aches in my legs. I'm wondering if this will get better as the dosage lessens or should I call my doctor about this side effect? Should I keep taking them through the weekend? I guess I'm wondering if this is normal and I'm worrying for nothing. Thanks

Thanks for the great info. I'm also very flushed. My face is flushed and warm.

As for the dentist, it's an oral surgeon and I've had inflammation in my jaw bone for about a year now that won't go away.

Answer 1

Hmm, I don't know about muscle pains. I have to go on and off that stuff all the time and there can be tons of negative side effects, believe me! But I don't know about that one. If you are getting the flu or something and you are taking the steroids you won't be able to fight the infection so you should call the doctor just in case. All of the other side effects go away after you taper off. 6 days of that stuff is nothing. I have had to be on that stuff for months. It sucks!!! Makes you feel better though.

Answer 2

Side Effects Of Methylprednisolone

Answer 3

Methylprednisolone Side Effects

Answer 4

Side effects that you should let your doctor know immediately:
-an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-increased blood pressure (severe headache or blurred vision); or
-sudden weight gain (more than 5 pounds in a day or two).

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.Continue to take methylprednisolone and talk to your doctor if you experience:
-insomnia;
-nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset;
-fatigue or dizziness;
-muscle weakness or joint pain;
-problems with diabetes control; or
-increased hunger or thirst.

Other side effects that occur only rarely, usually with high doses:
-acne
-increased hair growth,
-thinning of the skin,
-cataracts,
-glaucoma,
-osteoporosis,
-roundness of the face, and
-changes in behavior.

I would say continue to take it but call your doctor if it gets worse or it it doesn't go away in a couple of days.

Answer 5

I've been prescribed prednisone which is (I'm guessing) a lot of the same thing. It has done some crazy things to me. Mood swings, aches, chest pains, hunger, and a racing heart just to name a few. It gets a little better as dosage goes down, though not all the way. I worried about A TON of stuff cause i had all sorts of crazy things going on with me, but it's just the medicine. Honestly, I hate the side effects but the medicine works wonders.

Answer 6

I cannot imagine any dental procedure that would require oral pred. You must have some intense inflammation or the dentist is an idiot, likely the dentist is an idiot. Oral pred. is a heavy duty drug. The reason you are on a dose pack is to limit the stress on your adrenal glands, not to shock them too much. A short dose will not cause the harm that people on long doses experience like bone loss, lowered immunity, thinned skin and more. I would follow through with the pack if you can, because quickly stopping it is horrible on your adrenal glands. I think I would be looking for a competent dentist as they don't know squat about drugs esp. the one they prescribed for you.

Answer 7

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682795.html

Methylprednisolone ("Medrol"), a corticosteroid, is similar to a natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands. It is often used to replace this chemical when your body does not make enough of it. It relieves inflammation (swelling, heat, redness, and pain) and is used to treat certain forms of arthritis; skin, blood, kidney, eye, thyroid, and intestinal disorders (e.g., colitis); severe allergies; and asthma.

Methylprednisolone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
•upset stomach
•stomach irritation
•vomiting
•headache
•dizziness
•insomnia
•restlessness
•depression
•anxiety
•acne
•increased hair growth
•easy bruising
•irregular or absent menstrual periods

****If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:****
•skin rash
•swollen face, lower legs, or ankles
•vision problems
•cold or infection that lasts a long time
****•muscle weakness****
•black or tarry stool

See also:
http://www.methylprednisolone.com/
http://www.pfizer.com/pfizer/download/uspi_medrol.pdf
http://www.naturalessentials.com/medrol.htm

Answer 8

Keep this specific meal between 400 and 600 calories. Serve yourself a scaled-down portion, so if you like coming back again for seconds, you'll just finish up eating a normal-size portion.

Answer 9

Keep this particular meal between 400 and 1000 calories. Serve yourself a more compact portion, so if you like returning for seconds, you'll just end up eating a normal-size portion.

Answer 10

You have already experienced one of the side effects, nervousness. Others are weight gain, excessive hunger and upset stomach, to name a few. The symptoms should subside as the dosage decreases. It is usually prescribed for inflammation and swelling. Good luck.