How to Fix Nerve Damage from Using Steroids 

By Jen Carlson,  Doctor
 17 June 2025
4.2k
0
How to Fix Nerve Damage from Using Steroids 

How to Fix Nerve Damage from Using Steroids 

Taking steroids (also known as roids) may be useful in bulking up muscles within a short time but at the same time, the drugs will harm the body. Nerve damage is one of the issues that people acquire. This implies that the nerves that transmit the signals between your brain and your body are injured. In case of nerve damage, this may cause pain, numbness, tingling or weakness. And there is nothing to be alarmed about in case you feel that the use of steroids has damaged your nerves as there are methods to move your nerves to recover and restore their body feelings.  

What Is Nerve Damage? 

Nerve damage occurs when nerves shafts are injured. Nerves regulate the movement of your muscles and your sense of things touching your body and pain. When nerves don’t work well, you might feel: 

  • Pins and needles or tingling
  • Numbness
  • Burning or sharp pain
  • Weak muscles or trouble moving 

There are various effects of steroids on the nerves. There are cases when the reason is caused by the medicine alone. In other cases, it may be due to the injection of the steroid which in a case may injure a nerve. 

How Can Anabolic Steroids Cause Nerve Damage? 

There are several ways anabolic steroids might contribute to nerve damage: 

1- Toxicity and Metabolic Effects

It is possible that steroid abuse changes the lipid content in the blood, raises blood pressure and produces vascular difficulties. Neuropathy is an effect of nerve impairment due to decreased blood flow or injuries to small blood vessels (microvascular injury). 

2- Injection-Related Trauma

The administration of intramuscular steroid injection can be dangerous as you can accidentally damage a nerve when injection is not conducted well. Trauma on the nerves directly induces local pain, numbness or motor loss. 

3- Immune-Mediated Effects

The use of steroids may interfere with immune functioning and in some cases, it may cause autoimmune neuropathies but with less frequency. 

4- Indirect Effects

Indirect stress on nerves may be caused by steroids through a muscle imbalance, weight gain/loss, or hormonal imbalance which may result in compression neuropathies. 

Recognizing Symptoms of Steroid-Related Nerve Damage 

Identifying nerve damage early is crucial. Symptoms to watch for include: 

  • Persistent tingling or numbness in limbs
  • Sharp, shooting, or burning pain
  • Muscle weakness or twitching
  • Difficulty coordinating movements or walking
  • Changes in reflexes
  • Loss of sensation or temperature perception 

If you experience such symptoms during or after steroid use, seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

What Should You Do First? 

Stop Using Steroids 

The first step would be to quit the use of steroids immediately. Continued use of them will exacerbate nerve damage. It is recommended to contact a doctor before discontinuation, particularly when one has restrained steroids over a long period of time. The physician will look at your nerves and muscles. They may administer some tests so that they can know how damaging the damage is. 

How Can You Help Your Nerves Heal? 

Take Care of Your Body 

  • Eat healthy foods: Nerves require such vitamins as B12 and B6. Ingest fruit, vegetables, nuts, and fish. 
  • Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water. 
  • Avoid alcohol and smoking: This slows down the healing process. 

Physical Therapy 

A physical therapist may assist you to perform exercises and ensure that your muscles are strong to prevent loss of movements. Nerves are important to heal with time. 

Medicine for Pain 

There are occasions when nerve injury is very painful. Your physician may even prescribe you some drug to ease the pain. 

Injection Technique Review 

If nerve injury is due to injections: 

  • Learn correct injection sites and techniques.
  • Use smaller needles and appropriate muscle groups.
  • Rotate injection sites to reduce trauma. 

This helps avoid hurting your nerves again. 

10 Best Food for Nerves Repair 

  1. Leafy Greens
  2. Avocado
  3. Salmon and Fatty Fish
  4. Nuts and Seeds
  5. Citrus Fruits
  6. Lean Proteins
  7. Legumes
  8. Learning Dairy Products
  9. Ginger
  10. Sweet Potato 

Foods To Avoid 

  1. Sugary foods
  2. Processed and Fried Foods
  3. High-Sodium Foods
  4. Alcohol
  5. Caffeine
  6. Processed Grains 

How Long Does It Take to Heal? 

Neurons take time to mend. The process of feeling better may take weeks or months. Lay low and continue with what your doctor is telling you to do. 

Steps to Fix Nerve Damage from Steroids 

  1. Stop using steroids safely.
  2. See a doctor to check your nerves.
  3. Eat healthily and drink lots of water.
  4. Avoid alcohol and smoking.
  5. Do physical therapy exercises.
  6. Take medicine if you have pain.
  7. Learn the right injection methods to avoid more damage. 

When to See a Doctor Immediately 

  • If you suddenly lose movement in a part of your body
  • If you have intense or unbearable pain or numbness
  • If you feel weak and cannot maneuver properly 

Conclusion 

Damage caused to the nerves because using anabolic steroids is quite a severe yet treatable condition in case one identifies it early enough and provides professional care. Withdrawal of steroids, medical treatment, and adherence to rehabilitation process are the major methods of overcoming it. The nerve health is further encouraged through nutrition, lifestyle change, and injection practice. When you suddenly start suspecting that you have nerve problems associated with steroids, do not hesitate to seek professional assessment. Being concerned about the health of your nervous system will yield superior long-term results with reference to your fitness aspirations and generality. 

References 

  1. Chris M. Matsko, M. (2025) How to Repair Nerve Damage: Treatments & Symptoms, wikiHow. wikiHow. Available at: https://www.wikihow.com/Repair-Nerve-Damage (Accessed: 12 June 2025).
  2. (2024) Top 10 Healthy Foods to Heal Damaged Nerve Naturally, Available at: https://www.hexahealth.com/blog/best-food-for-nerves-repair (Accessed: 12 June 2025).
  3. (2025) YouTube. YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G706MorTluY (Accessed: 12 June 2025).
  4. Peripheral Neuropathy (2024) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Available at: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/peripheral-neuropathy (Accessed: 12 June 2025).
  5. Impact Medical Group (2023) The Best Treatments For Nerve Pain & Nerve Damage l Impact Medical, Impact Medical Group. Available at: https://www.impactmedicalgroup.com/2023/10/09/what-are-the-best-treatments-for-nerve-pain-nerve-damage/ (Accessed: 12 June 2025).