Treatment for relapses

[Elke]

Why is steroids the only option when we have a relapse? I read about other treatments but I cannot get my Doctor to treat me with anything except steroids. I have refused IV steroids in the past because of the side effect which is weight gain. I guess I just don't understand when I read about all this other stuff available, steroids is still only our real option.

[Jewel2]

Hi Elke,
I'm not aware of any other treatments for exacerbations other than the steroids. I'll be interested to see responses to your post.

Are you thinking about the preventitive treatments, the CRAB injectibles?

I hope you are having a good weekend!
Julie

[Elke]

I had a c section 2 months ago. Was told that the possibility of having a relapse afterwards is pretty high. Right ow I am so dizzy I feel like I am going to fall over and faint. Can't sleep laying flat because the room spins. I do not want the IV steroids because of the weight gain and they said they would have to hospitalize me because I have high blood pressure.
I have heard of chemp treatments etc... How do other people get those options?

[californiasunflower]

Elke, I had the IV Steroids for 4 days and then was tapered off the steroids by using oral prednisone for 9 days. The IV didn't cause any weight gain but the oral tablets did cause a physical change for me which was temporary. Once off of them, I returned to my normal physical state.

While on the oral tablets, all I thought about was food and my neurologist warned me that I would get overweight if I didn't control my diet. I am very disciplined when it comes to diet because I have to avoid certain foods. I have to tell you that being on the oral tablets was one of the biggest challenges ever. The fight to not overeat was extremely challenging and I don't ever look forward to that again. I could not overcome it so I filled the fridge with veggies and consumed one spinach salad with cut up veggies in it after another! Had to avoid salty foods too. I drank lots of water! I gained some weight but not enough to affect my clothes size. I hope this is an encouraging story if you have to resort to the steroids.

[Jewel2]

My daughter has had IV steroids 4-5 times (with oral tapers) and oral steroids alone another 4-5 times. Sometimes she temporarily eats more while on them, but they have never caused her to permanently put on weight.

For my daughter the weight gain is not part of the equation when deciding whether or not to use steroids - being functional (not blind or paralyzed or spinning out of control) vs. damage to the bones are what she weighs out each time.

Elke, are you thinking about Novantrone, the chemo drug? You can find info about that on any of the major MS websites.

Regards,
Julie