Methylprednisolone

[SisyphusRocks]

Hi everyone, I'm a newb to this board but have been lifting for the past 20 years.

I went to the shoulder Dr. on Friday for what I thought was an injured
shoulder and turned out to be a degenerated disc in my neck - c5 or c6.
He said I probably aggravate my neck with incline presses and deadlifts.

I was prescribed methylprednisolone - it's a pack of 21 and I take 6 the first day and one less each following day. I searched here and a few other boards
and only found that most people don't like taking these.

I thought this was just an anti - inflamatory but I'm twice as hungry as normal and woke up thirstier than a camel.

Is this an anabolic steroid and what is it that everyone dislikes about taking this medication? I started them on Saturday.

 

[tkav1980]

i couldbe wrong but i believe its a cortico steroid. it works alittle different that anabolic steroids.
heres how it works, what it is....etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylprednisolone

 

[RationalGaze]

thats cortisteroid and is catabolic, not anabolic. It is used to reduce acute inflammation for a short period of time since it will break down tendon and joint tissue very quickly. the hunger and thirst is normal. just make sure you taper down and dont cut it cold turkey or you could have some bad sides.

 

[mikeheavypecs]

Bro, I was just given the same script by my Orthopedic a month ago and I have been afraid to take it. It is for my L4-L5 inflammation. The doc is supposed to be very good, but I am in a major growth program right now and I don't want to slow it down even with the back pain i seem to have all the time. Anyone else know if this would slow down mass/growth?

Thanks all
Mike

 

[Quad-smack]

I was prescribed that for my herniated C-6/7 & C-5/6. Anything you can take to reduce the inflammation is good. I had better relief with 800mg ibuprofen 3 x / day than the Prednisone. Ice is good & traction is good.
I ended up having an artificial disc implanted at C-6/7 and am now doing well. I will say that I gained a considerable amount of fat weight around my abdomen during this time. But there are many factors - Prednisone, Ibuprofen, my cortisol levels were probably thru the roof from pain, not sleeping and anxiety. And yep, eating comfort food & drinking red wine was the only pleasurable activity in my life at that time.
And yes, you must taper down or you'll crash big time!

 

[oldfella]

Cortico steriods will do nothing to aid muscle growth, in fact they will inhibit it. Cortisones are all in the same family of corticosteriods. They are used for their anti-inflmmatory responses and healing properites. But they are very hard on the system and when used over the long term will impede your progress in the gym. For the short term benefit they have their place, but you are better off without them.

 

[oldfella]

Bro, I was just given the same script by my Orthopedic a month ago and I have been afraid to take it. It is for my L4-L5 inflammation. The doc is supposed to be very good, but I am in a major growth program right now and I don't want to slow it down even with the back pain i seem to have all the time. Anyone else know if this would slow down mass/growth?

Thanks all
Mike

Hey Mike, Yes it will hold up your progress. Most corticosteriods are catabolic by nature, the trade off for the properties they hold for healing I guess. Now for the short term I think you would be ok with it, but it is over the long term where they do the damage. But for some relative relief you might as well use them to stop the suffering bro. Just eat your clean diet and drink a ton of water. Keep up your other supplements as usual.

 

[SisyphusRocks]

Thanks for the replies,

QuadSmack that sucks about the disc replacement.
How long were you out for (not training) and how's your training goiong now?
Are there certain exercises you avoid now? It seems like anything that puts pressure on your neck there could be a problem.

Mike - good luck with your back & watch out for your biceps/hams from RationalGaze is saying about weaking tendons if you do take the prescription.

I have 2 more days left with these pills and I took this week off and will be back in the gym next Monday. The pills seem to have helped some - my shoulder feels looser and no pain now.

 

[terryd5150]

Dammit!!!

I knew the answer to this one but everyone beat me to it. LOL.


They were correct.

 

[StoryOfTheYear]

I knew the answer to this one but everyone beat me to it. LOL.


They were correct.

Suurrrrrrrrrrre you did....... lol

 

[terryd5150]

Story, you doubt me? LOL.

Suurrrrrrrrrrre you did....... lol

People I know who would get prednisolone used to offer to give me theirs all the time. Also used to get offers on asthma medication as well (inhaled corticosteriods).


Don't think I didn't look into it.