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Steroids: Doctors
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Irritation of the stomach lining Steroids can irritate the lining of the stomach and may cause a stomach ulcer, or make one worse. Some steroid tablets are coated to help reduce irritation. If the tablets are not coated, they should be taken with meals or a drink of milk to help reduce this side effect. Tell your doctor if you have indigestion, stomach pains or abdominal discomfort. Coated tablets are often a shiny red or brown colour.
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Steroids killed nine-year-old Lexie McConnell after only five and a half weeks. In August 1993, Lexie was diagnosed as having toxoplasmosis. The consultant put her on 80 mg per day of prednisolone. Immediately, she suffered severe side effects-huge weight gain, terrible pains, holes in her tongue and black stools. After nearly a month, at her parents' pleading, the doctors quickly lowered the dosage to 60 mg, 40 mg, 20 mg. In excruciating pain, Lexie was taken to a hospital, where it was discovered she'd contracted chickenpox. Four days later, she died.
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You will be given a steroid card if you have to take the steroids at home. A card is not necessary if the steroids are just being given as a short course, such as for anti-sickness medication. The card should be carried with you at all times so that in an emergency a doctor will know you are having steroid treatment. If you need to have any dental work, tell your dentist that you are having steroid treatment.
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[Y]ou may get serious withdrawal effects once your body is used to the steroids. These may develop within a few days if you stop steroid tablets suddenly. Any change in dose should be supervised by a doctor. Any reductions in dose are done slowly, over a number of weeks.
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The decision to prescribe steroids is always made on an individual basis. Your doctor will consider your age, level of physical activity and other medications you are taking. Your doctor ... will make sure you understand the potential benefits and risks of steroid injections.
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It is important for any doctor treating you for any reason to know you are taking steroids. So, in case of emergencies you will be given a card to carry to say you are taking steroids. Your doctor will ask you to carry the card with you at all times.
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