Anything other than 'roids for a flare?

[Thinkimjob]

I can't have old reliable this time because my blood pressure is too high. Acthar gel does the same thing, so it's out.

I've searched and searched (read 'googled') but there doesn't seem to be a thing. I'm already eating more krill oil than a whale, and thanks to low Vit D, 1,000 whatever it is a day.

All I want to do is lie down and sleep. Lots of relatives in town, so I've staggered on as best I can with a judicious bit of valium every now and then. That does help a little, who knows why.

Nasty feeling my carefully maintained independence is about to be swept away. Could get by when I could take 'roids for a bad flare. Now, there seems to be absolutely nothing that can be done, except rest and wait and hope.

[MSer102]

If you want something that actually works your only choices are steroids or ACTH (Acthar).

Can't you take medication to bring your blood pressure down while you are on steroids? Have your doctors tried prescribing a blood pressure medicine and/or a diuretic?

If my blood pressure goes up during a steroid series I double up on my blood pressure medicine and it comes right back down. Wouldn't medication work for you?

[Thinkimjob]

I'll ask the doctor tomorrow about doubling up the blood pressure tablets, MSer102. Thanks for the suggestion.

I only started Micardis last month, (side effects include dizziness, which is soooo helpful when you can hardly stand up).

I do wonder how my doctor thinks I'm meant to manage.

Hey ho. Tomorrow is another day. It better be better than this one.

[goddessmoon]

flares

I have such adverse reactions to steroids I have learned to just ride out the flare. The steroids have never helped, only caused more trouble than the flare itself.

[KatieAgain]

Think-You know I was in back to back flares from April to the first week of October. My brain and cervical cord were very angry.

After 4 Neuros I finally saw an MS Specialist. They had blood drawn. My Vitamin D was back in the single digits. I was immediately put on 135,000 IUs a week via prescription. Believe it or not, it has helped.

Rest is imperative for major flares...tell your relatives hello, spend an hour with them and go home. Rest, rest and more rest. I told my doctor I was sleeping close to 18 hours a day...he said of course you are, your brain is angry. Don't fight the sleeping. Just make sure you get up every once in awhile and move around and try and eat.

Talk about eating. I know you are tall and thin. I am not tall but I am thin. Try to eat...not junk. If you can't, get some drinkable nutritional supplements, and try to get some fiber...it will sustain you. I was exceptionally malnourished this Summer...which made it harder for my body to fight everything.

Additionally, they put me on Tysabri at the end of one of the flare cycles. I came out of the Flare and have not started a new one. Knock on wood. I take my 2nd infusion this week.

Give the Vitamin D a go (don't do as much as I am doing without doctors supervision), lots of rest, some good food, and here is to hoping your flare subsides quickly.