Suggest Treatment For Severe Sciatica And Arthritis

Posted on Fri, 9 Jun 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 9 Jun 2017 Answered on

Thu, 29 Jun 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I AM A 79 YR. OLD WITH SEVERE SCIATICA AND ARTHRITIS. I HAVE HAD A TIA SEVERAL YEARS AGO. IS THERE ANY REASON WHY I CANNOT TAKE METHYLPREDNISOLONE 4 MG TO HELP WITH SERIOUS SCIATICA PAIN AND THE STIFFNESS OF OSTEO/RHEMATOID ARTHRITIS? IS THERE ANY REASON WHY
I CANNOT TAKE ARTHRTIS MEDS?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Can be given for 5-7 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Steroids like methylprednisolone are given for a short term 5-7 days to reduce the inflammation. it is a prescription only medicine and is given if the symptoms are acute and severe. Long term or repeated use of steroids can aggravate osteoarthritis.
it is best to consult your orthopedician and get it prescribed in case he feels it will help in your case.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

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