what to expect from iv steroids ?

[tambrown]

I start 3 day course of iv steroids really don't know what to expect side effects etc.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated .
Thanks all Tammy

[mrmssaldana]

What to expect from IV steroids?

With my flairs and having to go on IV steroids many times since 1980, I'v been feeling sad and sorry for myself. But then, I had an abundance of energy and because of the energy -the house was clean and beautiful, go figuire! Then tapering down with prednesone for a few weeks, gain more weight and had a round face. Oh well, that's MS but,
but on the good side ... I'm alive, well.

Chin up and stay well.

Maria

[alishape]

I love em!

I wish I could have IV steriods every day! Like the previous poster they give me a lot more energy than usual. Also, they make me feel almost normal again. No brain fog, no zings and no charlie horses.

The worst side effect for me, aside from the let down of becoming my old MSy self again, is that steriods give me zits!

[KatieAgain]

I start 3 day course of iv steroids really don't know what to expect side effects etc.

Any answers would be greatly appreciated .
Thanks all Tammy

Not much for me. Metallic taste in the mouth. I suck on lemon drops during infusion. Taste for me lasts most of the day.

IV Steroids make me high! Seriously...a good high. And I ate like there was no tomorrow.

Insomnia...oh, yea! Get a good book to read.

I had a few heart palpitations, but nothing worrisome.

Finally, I seem to be the only gal that actually loses weight on IV steroids, but I am smaller to begin with, and no moon face on taper. I have to supplement with Boost, per my doc. I lost 15 pounds during this last flare. Gaining it back as I type.

Everyone is different, you will know what to expect after your first infusion.

Katie
"Yep, I have MS and it has me"

[zilphia01]

iv steroids.....

I was making dinner at 4 o'clock in the morning. If I did not have optic neuritis and could see, I think I would have tried to build a house. (I did not clean, but I never clean)

- energy beyond belief
- no pain in joints
- could NOT stop talking
- insomnia
- I def needed the taper, I was so wound up


Good Luck.

[k.bahr]

I just finished my last dose of iv steroids for the first time Monday. I know I should be greatful that I didn't have any side effects from it but on the other hand felt a little frustrated that it may do nothing for my symptoms. I'm going back to the neuro tomorrow and hopefully find more out.

Kristen

[Mable]

Hi Tam,
When I had my big exacerbation (the one that got me diagnosed) last year, they put me on 5 days of steroids, and then no taper. The steroids were fine. The crash was dramatic. I was already very upset from my surprise diagnosis.

6 months later, my neuro put me on 3 days of steroids again as an unconventional therapy--I wasn't having a flair, but he thought it would help with my MS anyway (and it might have, I had a much better MRI at the 1 year mark.)

Anyway, what I want to recommend to you is to keep a diary. If you have the tools, jot down how you feel each day...or even at different times during the day. And take a photo of yourself too. I would do it throughout the treatment, and then until the taper or crash is over.

I say that because I couldn't remember the second time all the little things that happened the first time--muffins at 4am on day 1, headache on day 2, smelling so bad my boyfriend kicked me out of the bedroom on day 3. The zits coming and going. That kind of thing. If I ever have to do steroids again, I'll remember.

[KatieAgain]

I just finished my last dose of iv steroids for the first time Monday. I know I should be greatful that I didn't have any side effects from it but on the other hand felt a little frustrated that it may do nothing for my symptoms. I'm going back to the neuro tomorrow and hopefully find more out.

Kristen

Don't get too down. My experience with Steroids is that they will at a minimum help tamper down the symptoms and significantly help with the brain inflammation...which you can see on a MRI.

My current round got rid of the ON entirely. This was the MOST important. But I have what they call residuals with the other symptoms, not as bad but still there. I am on pretty significant drugs to help with that. But, I am still sleeping 18 hours a day and I am pretty sure I am going to need some PT after this which if history holds true will be another 60 days or so before I really feel better.

Please remember, your brain was angry, very angry and inflamed. Your brain hated you. The steroids helped to placate it. Steroids or no steroids, eventually it will work its way out.

Easier said than done, I know. I keep saying all flares are not created equal, even a couple of my specialists have told me this in the past, and if you are in a major flare, well...hate to use the word because I don't really like it, but it sucks, and it sucks bad. But hang in there.

Katie
"Yep, I have MS, and it does have me."