IV Prednisone.., side effects??? - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

fancycanelady · 02-14-2006, 01:27 PM

Hi All,
Haven't had much time to visit this board lately. Hope eveyone is doing well. As soon as it can be arranged, I'll start a 5-day treatment of IV Prednisone. I do not do very well with Prednisone and was just wondering if anyone had any bad or strange side effects that I should be aware of. I plan to ask my husband to drive me for the 5 days to the hospital, so driving won't be an issue. I'll appreciate any comments.
Thanks,
Fancycanelady

lilc · 02-14-2006, 04:16 PM

FANCY!!! Haven't had to do any steroids yet, but am happy to hear from you!!! Copaxone and I are getting along rather well. Hope all goes great for you! Happy Valentine's Day!

StephanieAnne · 02-14-2006, 04:58 PM

I had sleeplessness, sweated alot, blood pressure went up, blood sugars got all out of wack, face puffed up, lost 20 lbs.

BUT, I had energy, I was up cleaning out my refrigerator at 3am

it was bugging me and I finally had the energy to do it. I was able to write with my right hand, which I could not do before the IV. I did all of my Christmas shopping on line and w/QVC and this was in the middle of the night

After the IV was done my blood pressure went back to normal and my blood sugars sorta stabalized, and it took a few months for my face to not be so puffy.

But, if I had to do it again I would, even w/the bad side effects. It gave me back some sense of the life I had before MS

lucybelle · 02-14-2006, 05:28 PM

Fancy, I have had IV predinisone numerous times and never had any real side affects. A bit of insomnia and that is all. I have always rebounded with them but the older I get it seems to take a bit longer...Best of luck with yours! I get mine in home now. Much better than going to the hospital. Don't even have to get out of my pj's if I don't feel like it!!! You will be in my prayers Lucybelle

nanna02 · 02-15-2006, 05:49 AM

Hi Fancy .

I have had 3 separate incindences of needing Methyl prednisolone drips for MS, ,..

the 1st time , was given a booster dose of 5days Drip in hospital followed by titrating Prednisone pills which I took at home ..

The next time , the specialist experimented on me with another type of medication, with horrendous disastrous effects and had to hurriedly resort to give me the drip , but only for 3 days , no follow up with Prednisone pills , which made me begin to wonder ?...I investigated info on the various meds they'd used ; the Specialist knew he made a blunder.

So the last time , in November 05, admitted to hospital again,

I knew what to expect , and demanded that I have full control over my medication and decisions , ..

subsequently , I had 5 days of the Methyl pred. drip ;
it never did any thing different , my symptoms of spasm/ stiffness were exactly as I had been at the beginning ,

so I demanded to be given the prednisone PILLS. to take home .!..they relented , realizing I was right , they'd neglected to give them the previous time before , ..

I took them home , and from taking the first PILL , all my symptoms began to change like magic ! I'm now back to 'normal' as I was .

I have now got a prescription at home for the Prednisone PILLS here if needed , to save a trip to hospital , taking up a bed , and to see if I can control my symptoms myself .
I appreciate the specialist now trusts me , and knows i know my own body , how it reacts.

I also asked to be given a script for Diazepam , for my spasms ,which I had been given once before , but only one small amount , I believed they might've made a good difference to my legs, but they didn't like me to have them ,.. " they're addictive !" I was told .

( I am a nightmare to Drs , as I have bad rections to almost all meds for MS; )

My legs used to keep me awake all through the night,spasming , in contortions , writhing around ,..
I was left wondering whether I'd have to live like this forever !..

3 years in a wheelchair is nothing , but no sleep .. unbearable !!...

it was dreadful , having to get out of bed into my wheelchair , middle of the night ,
or sit on the side , legs out , crying ; it was dreadful and upset my husband , and his sleep .

When I explained my request for a trial of Diazepam , the specialist was concerned ,

but I said , " I don't care if I have to become addicted to them , this is quality of life I'm talking about !.. I want some peace and some sleep, ... I have to live some sort of a life !.. I'm in a damned wheelchair forever !!, .. what more do you expect me to suffer ?!" ..
He thought , then gave in, nicely and wrote the script .

I'm only taking 1 2mg pill , and it is magic !!

I sleep right through the night with NO spasms ..
and none during the day ,

so I believe I've come to a turning point in my disability ,
..I'm doubting I'll have to go back to hospital for a long time , nor have to take those Prednisone pills I've got , either .

I don't know if this is of any help to you Fancy , but that has been my experience with Steroids , Drip and pills . ..

Side effects of the Methyl Prdnisonlone drip ,... nothing bad at all , when it worked , ..
just found I was more on a " high " in the Ward , ..

talked and stayed awake , ( read magazines ) but that disappeared when I came home.. nothing else untoward.

So , I hope this may give any one else an idea ,

just believe in yourself

like I have ,
have faith you know your own body ,

realize that sometimes the drs and Specialists might not always know what's the right thing for you ;

... speak up , ask questions , .. and find information ..

I have learnt by trial and error , mostly by the medical professionals errors !..

now ,after 4 months of Diazepam , I'm on Cloud 9 !..

I'm in control of my own body , and I can't wait to go for my hospital check in June , to tell him the good news of my progress!..

So Fancy , good luck with your Drip ,
I can assure you there are no bad side effects with the Methylprednisone .. , ..

So Hope all goes well for you for your hospital stay .

Good Luck .. let us know how it goes ?.

Nanna xxx