My experience with steroid shots....

was not as bad as I thought it would be. Thursday, with the advice, or orders of my nurse practitioner from my surgeons office, I went back to the emergency room and was given the shot of salmeterol. I also had a follow up appointment with my PCP on Friday and was given another shot of steroids, Kenalog, which is similiar to the salmeterol but stays in your system for approximately 3 weeks. I had lots of fears of it making me hungry or giving me head hunger, thus leading to weight gain but.... To my surprise, it didn't cause any. I had, of course, no hunger pains but didn't suffer any head hunger, or feel the desire to nibble or munch. I actually lost 3 lbs!! But it did make me a bit irritable and restless!

Unfortunately, the shots haven't done much so my pulmonologist called me in oral prednisone so I have to take that for a week or so. It will be interesting to see if I get the same effects from that. If this doesn't work then the next step is IV therapy and well I'm not looking forward to that.

But in my opinion, to those WLS patients that are faced with possibly having to take steroids in the future... If at all possible, take the shot. I hope this helps anyone that was having questions and thanks to everyone that gave advice!

Pray they will work for you! I need to get some extra vitamin C and start using my albuterol more regularly. I can tell a difference in breathing with all this humid weather and rain we have had. I hope to avoid my usual winter bout with bronchitis. I have had epidural and another one next week so I doubt I can have more steroids at this point. Maybe if you do get the hunger veggies or healthy protein would be good to have readily available. Im trying that w/ carrot and celery sticks in stead of grabbing my favorite Cheez Its lol. Have been able to pass them in the store a few times, as much as I love them. Nuts i do some so at least im getting some protein and healthier fats in my diet. I love them too! The chip demon will get me sometimes too. I think this shot did cause me some hunger and a little of the crazy/emotional effect but no where near the pills. They react with another med I take daily.
Praying for the best for you. Bronchitis stinks big time. Fluids always help me to get the gunk out alot quicker.
Best wishes
Shannon

Hey Theresa,

Well that is good news about the lack of side effects on hunger. Congrats on loosing 3 more lbs! Whooo hoooo!!
I do hope that the oral prednisone works and you are up and feeling better soon!

hey girl. Glad everything went ok. Keep us updated!