High dose steroid infusions
My rheumatologist had me do three consecutive days of 1000mg steroid infusions as soon as he diagnosed me, Wednesday. My symptoms are pretty bad, with a lot of neurological stuff. He’s hoping to glean if my neurological/cognitive symptoms are improved by the steroids, to give him an idea of what treatments will work for me.
I’ve lost quite a bit of weight, and then recently lost my appetite, followed by horrible gastrointestinal issues. Taking charcoal and gas x every time I eat helps, but it’s still pretty awful. That started before the steroids. But since them everything hurts. My whole body. And my skin is rough and crepe-y and patchy. My face has been puffy since before the steroids, and it just won’t go away, anymore.
Can the steroids make me feel worse? Could they do so and then make me feel better? I’m honestly afraid I won’t be able to take care of my two year old alone tomorrow. Today has been that bad. =/
My brain is all over the place right now. I’m sorry if this is a bit incoherent.
I had steroids for three days at 500 mg when I first was diagnosed four years ago, I didn’t feel any different, but then, I was still in “diagnosis shock”. Fast forward the four years, I just now had three days of 1000 mg like you, I felt horrid during the experience and several days after, then I felt really good for four weeks until just a few days ago, when some of the annoying sensory symptoms returned. Bottom line, it may help a lot, it may help a little, you may feel horrid during but grand after. If there is any way a friend or neighbor can help keep an eye on your baby, that may help your internal stress until you see how you feel. Hope this helps. You will get through this. Mainly because you have to. And because you can!
@sarahgracesc , High Dosage Steroids are a reactive treatment for MS relapses that are causing life-impacting symptoms :- https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/steroids-methylprednisolone As you can see, they can cause immediate side-effects but they can bring a relapse to a quicker conclusion than it may have done without them. I do have a slight concern that your Rheumatologist is delving into the realms of the Neurologist. You may be better served by consulting a Neurologist, who is an MS Specialist .