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How Long Does Corticosteroids Take To Show Effect?

Posted on Thu, 9 Jun 2016

Question: I have been on costosteriods for costochondritis. I have been taking the med-rol dose pack since monday. I am still have a lot of pain. I have some problems breathing. I only have 3 more days of steroids. When will they start to help? Or do i need some other kind of medicine . Or could I have something else. I went to my pcp on monday for a follow up from a hospital release.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It is better not to take steroids for costochondritis in your case.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
In my opinion, steroids should not be given in your case for costochondritis.
Steroids can cause osteoporosis, psychological disturbances, dyslipidemia etc. Since you are having many Co morbidities, steroid intake will aggravate them.
So in my opinion, you should avoid steroids for costochondritis.
You are also not improving with steroids, so I don't think they will help in your case.
Instead of steroids, you should start following things.
1. Apply warm water pad on affected areas.
2. Avoid movements causing pain.
3. Avoid bad postures in sleep.
4. Take painkiller and anti inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
5. Take ultrasound therapy on painful area from physiotherapist.
Please let me know
1. Exactly where do you have pain?
2. Since how many days you are having this costochondritis?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (25 minutes later)

I have pain on my left side. Under my arm/arm pit area. In the left breast. It hurts when I sneeze or take a deep breath. I was in the hospital last thursday night thru friday. I was having trouble breathing and terrible chest pains. My breathing is better. I do still have the chest with deep breaths. I have had this pain since February. Heart tests have been normal. I am starting to get pain in the rightt arm pit. too i hope this helps.If you need more answers just let me know

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you smoke? Do you have cough?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Don't take steroids further. It won't help you.
Since you are having trouble breathing and pleuritic chest pain (pain on deep breathing and sneezing), we should first rule out lung causes like lung infection and bronchitis.
So please let me know
1. Do you smoke?
2. Do you have fever and cough?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (5 hours later)

Good morning. Sorry I did not reply last night but it was getting late where I live. I have to get up very early this morning. Here are the answers to your questions:

1. No smoking ever
2. No fever but I have a cough.

Thanks for your help. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask. I will answer them as soon as I can. I will gone away from my computer most of the morning.

Hope to hear from your soon.

Have a great day.

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do you have stressful life?

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Since you are not having fever and cough, we can rule out lung pathology.
I have gone through our previous conversation. You told that you were admitted for 24 hours.
Did they take ecg?
Was it normal?
You are also having many psychological issues like anxiety, depression etc.
So please let me know if you are having stressful life or not.
Cardiac diseases and uncontrolled stress can also cause similar kind of chest pain.
So please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better.
I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Deepak

Follow up: Dr. Drkaushal85 (13 hours later)

I had to call an ambulance on my trip this a.m. I was tachcardiac . That is what the ambulance driver told the hospital. I was having stabbing pains from the chest to the back. The e.r. did blood tests. Since the cardiac enysmes where I guess were within the normaIl range. The e.r. dr. did not even listen to me take a deep breath. I just told her abt my hospital admission. That is what she re-diagnosed me with. She gave me pain medicine to take. My pain was really bad. It was an 8 out of 10.

I guess all the ecgs done during my admission were ok. They were just worried abt the enzymes.

Yes, I have a stressful life. I have had a stressful life my whole life. I have individual and group therapy. I also take mediciation to help with my mental health problems

I do have a cough.
I guess I did not make my self clear enough on my first post today. Please also include the post tonight with your answer. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Drkaushal85 (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Oh, this is sad.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your follow up question on Healthcare Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Oh, this is sad.
Well, if your ecg and cardiac enzymes are normal then no need to worry for heart diseases.
In my opinion, you are mostly having stress related pain.
Please let me know
1. Do you have belching?
2. Do you have burning epigastric pain?
Please reply me answers of above asked questions, so that I can guide you better. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar