Sitting here having my first IV Steriods

[mum2kat+3]

So with my sunburn sensation and escalating feet/leg numbing, gp said to call Neuro nurse, neuro ordered IV Steriods and a follow up with him after my MRI in may.
Hope it stops it pretty quick.
What's been your experience with IV steriods?
I'm looking forward to the energy but not the insomnia or coming off of it.

Thanks!

[stillstANNding]

M2K+3,

I am glad that you are getting some help and things are clarified. As to steroids, as with other things in MS, experience varies.

For me, the first evening the steroids are finished, I experience just about every symptom I have ever had- including TN. Things very gradually get better for me over the next 6 weeks. Oh, and coffee tastes awful for 3 or 4 days after:(

Maybe you will get a taper and things will be better. My MS Center doesn't believe the taper makes any difference.

To a good 'roid ride for you!
ANN

[SalpalSally]

((((Mum2kat+3)))) Hugs to you on your fist trip down the roid rage road. The very first time I had IVSM, it worked. After notta, so never used them again.

I hope your first time is a charm and I hope you get a taper.

[mum2kat+3]

So by after the second treatment should I be feeling improvement? Cause so far nothin' and only one day to go. Did your neuro give you any special instruction while getting IV? Like lie in bed for 3 days with no stress?
I've just been going about my days with 3 kids under 10 and working.
I also asked the nurse and there is no taper prescribed. ��

Thanks
Ann-Marie

[stillstANNding]

Hi Anne-Marie,

Nooooo, I did not work! It wasn't a question, it just wasn't possible.

My symptoms usually got better some while on it (I had mostly 5 days and once 10 days!). I talked a lot. I used the phone a lot. Had a great appetite. Somethings didn't taste right, most notably coffee:( No trouble sleeping. No increased sweating, either. My BP went up and my potassium went down.

Then there comes a day when you do not get steroids. That day is horrible for me. Every paresthesia, pain, everything comes back and slowly gets better over 4-6 weeks for me.

We are all different in this as in everything else. Let's just plan on you getting better but I would get some rest if possible and not work.

Best to you,
ANN

[Gary]

Ann I think put it best as it is different for everybody. I have done them a lot. The MS messes with my blood pressure and so far this is the only thing that brings it down. I have done with and without a taper and I DO NOT like the no taper method. As a matter of fact I just argued with the dr in the hospital and I am not going to do the IVSM without it. Normally I start to feel better in a few days. Remember that they can make an infection worse. So if you feel like you are coming down with something call your dr.

[ssusan]

I just wrote this long response and it's gone. I hate when that happens.

When first diagnosed 13 years ago my local neurologist had me do a five day round of Solumedrol with a Predisone taper. At day 3 it took effect. Amazing.

I did the 5 day a year or so later when in a bad flare. Helped immensely starting at day 3!
I started going to the MS clinic and when in a bad flare, neurologist had me do a 3 day no taper. It worked as well. Easier to tolerate, less days with sleep affected.

I did a one day monthly pulse for about 2 1/2 years. I called it spinach. It gave me a lot more energy. Some months it worked better than others.

When I started Ampyra it helped so much with fatigue and clarity that I stopped doing the monthly pulse.

Lately I have been struggling with my vision and am thinking of asking for a 3 dayer but it will have to wait until the semester ends the end of June. I am teaching 2 days a week and cannot miss. We'll see.

Steroids have helped me a lot!!! Hope it helps.

[renee]

In March I was given three days of IV drip in hospital followed by a 7 day taper down.
My eyes (why I had the solumedrol) are no longer experiencing sensations of
intermittent pressure and mild pain.

'Roids give me adolescent mood swings (arghhhhh) but those have evened out
and now I am back to being an occasionally hyper sensitive adult.

I made a point of having few expectations of myself during and after the steroids.
I believe we are also more vulnerable to picking up colds, etc after treatment
so lying low makes sense.

[mum2kat+3]

Well, it's been a week since my last dose. The sunburn sensation on my stomach is gone. but nothing else changed. I suppose though it didn't get worse and the numbness in my legs seems to have lowered about a cm.
Thankfully, no worse for the wear after the IV, a little tired but no big crash that I expected.
So MRI in one week and neuro appt 2days later. I'm staying positive but also understand the reality of a diagnosis on the horizon.

Thanks all.

Ann-Marie