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Steroids for shingles?

Posted , 3 users are following.

teresa83432
teresa83432

Has anyone been prescribed a short course of steroids like a Medrol dose pack or prednisone dose pack?  If so, did it help?  My doctor is making me do physical therapy and it has really got my arm numbness and face tingling all riled up.  Wondering if a steroid pack will tame down the inflammation a bit.  Thanks for your insight.  Teresa

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Gillian433545
    Gillian433545 teresa83432

    Posted

    I am not an authority on this but having had shingles they put me on antivirals within 72 hours of blisters appearing. However I am not sure why they have given you steroids unless you have it on your face and affected your eye. Perhaps someone else maybe able to help you.
    • teresa83432
      teresa83432 Gillian433545

      Posted

      I am having numbness/tingling/burning in the left side of my face and fullness in that ear, without the rash.  I'm not sure why the steroids.  Thanks!

       

  • Merry19451
    Merry19451 teresa83432

    Posted

    Teresa,

    If your arm is getting worse, stop the physical therapy. You are just irritating the nerves!

    Double blind placebo studies have shown no efficacy with corticosteroids, the exception of course, is involvement of the eye.

    Physicians used to give steroids when there was nothing else to offer.

    Best Wishes

    Merry Juliana

    • teresa83432
      teresa83432 Merry19451

      Posted

      Gosh yes!  It is making my arm much worse.  I called the doc and now they have ordered MRI of brain/spine.  They didn’t tell me to stop PT which I am taking upon myself to do anyway.  I don’t know what they are hunting for now.  Ugh!  What a mess.  And still on antivirals.  This time valtrex.  Thanks for the info on the steroids.  They have so many side effects I am scared to take them.  Thanks! Teresa
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