if you are speaking of a 3 day Solu-Medrol infusion, thats very common. It can be 3 days or 5 days....SoluMedrol is a form of Prendisone...its used actually for nerve inflamation; although it will calm down the muscles, too.
Steroids, which is what solu-medrol are, shrink inflamation in the body....when you are having an attack or relapse, and everything starts to be inflammed, all kinds of symtoms can happen, including muscle spasms. Its also used to treat eye inflamation, the optic nerve, which when inflamed is called Optical Neuritis.
The side effects from the infusion are sometimes mood swings, usually appetite increase and sleep is often affected. You might find it hard to sleep for longer then an hour or two....you will probably get a lousy metallic taste in your mouth (sucking on peppermints helps) and you will probably be thirsty. Sometimes, this results in bathroom issues as well....(going allot more frequently). The steroid remains in your system up to a month post-infusion, but usually within 5 days of the infusion ending, you start to feel more like yoruself. Some people experience bloating, or puffiness in their face when doing the infusion, this too, willl go away in a few days.
Does it help? Depending on what you are trying to treat, usually it will. The more often you do this infusion, the less it will help in the future- however a 3 day infusion is pretty minimal- and a good place to start. Long term steroid use isnt recommended, as it can affect the bones and other bodily systems; however again, 3 days is not going to hurt you....just dont do it more then every 6 months to a year.
I hope this helps you with your questions, and please know that almost all MS patients will experience Solu-Medrol infusions at one time or another..its a very common treatment. Take care- and let us know how it goes..
Nikki
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