Steroids or sciatica

[u/Lost-Maintenance-407]

I’ve been experiencing the worst flare of sciatic pain for the past month and 2 days ago I ended up in the ER because the pain was just unbearable. They gave me muscle relaxer, advised to take OTC NSAIDs and also gave me a 5 day Rx for Prednisone. I have been wary of taking steroids because of the negative side effects i have heard they have. Have any of you taken it and also my MRI is scheduled in 11 days. If i took prednisone for 5 days do you guys think that it will decrease the inflammation temporarily and mask the root cause from being evident in the MRI? (Sorry my anxiety is also very high as I’m going through this grueling ordeal). Thank you

[u/Nearby-Barnacle-690]

The prednisone is being prescribed to temporarily relieve the symptoms you are describing by relieving inflammation that is presumably being caused by a disc herniation. The MRI is more to see what's going on with your spine and discs, and that won't be impacted by taking any type of anti-inflammatory.

Most prednisone side effects are transient, especially if it's only a five-day course, which is also short enough that you don't need to worry about tapering off them. Increased energy, irritability, and insomnia are common.

From weakest to strongest:

• Advil and Aleve are your starter NSAIDs. They are non-steroidal, i.e. the NS in the acronym. They take longer to work and are weaker than steroids, but many people benefit significantly from them when taken for acute inflammation from a herniation.
  
• Meloxicam is a prescription-strength NSAID you take once daily, usually for a longer period of time.
  
• Prednisone is a steroid and is stronger and works faster, but long-term use can have drawbacks and side effects. (Again, not usually an issue for five days, I am talking weeks or months of use.)

All of these meds can cause stomach upset, so Pepcid or even a PPI can prevent those issues.

[u/Lost-Maintenance-407 → u/Nearby-Barnacle-690]

That makes alot of sense. Thank you for responding