Steroids: A guide for patients with breast cancer University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Your doctor will only prescribe medicines when absolutely necessary and will be happy to talk to you about any concerns that you might have. Depending on the underlying condition that is being treated, there may be different (non-corticosteroid) medicines that can be used. Additionally, some inflammatory and autoimmune conditions improve on their own in pregnancy due to changes in the immune system, meaning that a treatment may no longer be needed. Other corticosteroids that are taken orally or injected include betamethasone, deflazacort, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, and triamcinolone.

• To help protect your stomach, you should take your tablets with food.
• You have regular blood tests to check for any changes in the way your liver is working.
• They’re different from the anabolic steroids used by athletes and body builders to improve their performance.
• These conditions include liver problems, mental health issues, osteoporosis and more.
• The dose you take will be gradually reduced to lower the risk of withdrawal effects.

If you take steroids for a long time, you might be at risk of osteoporosis, where your bones become thin and weak. This can make them more fragile and likely to fracture or break. Although it can be upsetting to gain weight, continue to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Your weight should gradually return to normal once you stop taking steroids.

Side-effects and risks

Two types of steroid hormone are made by the adrenal glands. The male and female hormones testosterone and oestrogen are types of steroid. Steroids are drugs that mimic certain natural hormones in the body that regulate and control how the body works and develops. There are two main groups of natural steroids – anabolic steroids and corticosteroids.

• Your fingers, feet and ankles may swell because of a buildup of fluid, although this is more common in long term use.
• There is less chance of this happening with steroid injections or sprays.
• Overall, there is no convincing evidence that corticosteroid use in pregnancy directly causes miscarriage or preterm delivery.
• You should not take anti-inflammatory painkillers e.g. ibuprofen (low dose aspirin is OK), as together they may increase the risk of a stomach ulcer developing.

Many people may be able to reduce their risk by making lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking or losing weight. The researchers analysed the medical records of 87,794 patients treated in 389 primary care practices in the UK between 1998 and 2017. They were 56 years’ old on average and had all been diagnosed with one or more of six inflammatory diseases. These long-term diseases affect different parts of the body and can be debilitating.

Changes in blood sugar levels

Corticosteroids, or commonly just referred to as steroids, are a common medication used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as an induction therapy. However, they do have some serious and undesirable side effects which can occur if they are taken for a sustained period of time. Some people might develop side effects, although these will vary from person to person.

Steroids for brain tumours

If you need any medical or dental treatment, show your blue or red steroid card to the doctor, dentist or pharmacist so that they know you’re taking steroids. The side effects will usually pass once you finish the treatment, but do not stop taking your medicine without speaking to your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on how to gradually reduce your dose if necessary.

Side effects of steroid tablets

Steroids that are injected into muscles and joints may cause some pain and swelling at the site of the injection.

Steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system, the body’s natural defence against illness and infection. This can help treat autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, which are caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body. Steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system, which is the body’s natural defence against illness and infection.

Some people feel happier than usual while others feel low in mood, short-tempered and irritable. Some people feel low or flat for several days to weeks after they stop taking steroids, as it takes a while for your body to begin making its own steroids naturally again. If you had diabetes before you started steroid treatment, your lymphoma medical team and your diabetes medical team work together to manage your treatment and blood sugar levels.

What will happen when I stop taking steroids?

Join one of our Online Support Communities for more stories and tips about coping with a brain tumour diagnosis from people who know what you’re going through. https://pharmacybsn.com “I put on seven stone, became depressed and didn’t want to go out. Then I was diagnosed with diabetes insipidus and a fatty liver and told to lose weight.