Aa
Had Last Solu-Medrol Today
Well, this morning was my last Solu-Medrol infusion. Haven't had quite the horror stories that some of you had, but it definitely wasn't a pleasant experience. The first day was fine. Second day and today I've been extremely dizzy with hot flashes. Felt very nauseas both days. Not sure what the "come down" will be like since I wasn't given a taper, but we'll see. Problem is, so far it hasn't taken the vertigo away. A few days before the sol-med, I started getting what I now believe is likely the dreaded MS Hug, and that is still there too. On a brighter note, my leg seems to be functioning a bit better, and my hand doesn't feel quite as numb and spastic.
I have a question that I'm hoping I could get some feedback on. I've been off work for 2 weeks, and had planned to try to go back Monday. If I had to be put on the spot by my boss judging by how I feel right now, I know I'm not ready to go back. The vertigo has not dissapated, this MS hug pain is awful. I can't imagine trying to focus on doing individual therapy and hunching over in so much pain, or walking the girls back to the classroom and falling down the stairs or just falling over in general.
What do I do? Help from anyone else who has been in my position and what you did in this situation.
Thanks,
Angela
I have a question that I'm hoping I could get some feedback on. I've been off work for 2 weeks, and had planned to try to go back Monday. If I had to be put on the spot by my boss judging by how I feel right now, I know I'm not ready to go back. The vertigo has not dissapated, this MS hug pain is awful. I can't imagine trying to focus on doing individual therapy and hunching over in so much pain, or walking the girls back to the classroom and falling down the stairs or just falling over in general.
What do I do? Help from anyone else who has been in my position and what you did in this situation.
Thanks,
Angela
This forum is amazing. It's helpful to come on here and know that either others are experiencing the same thing I am, or that they have in the past. Angela
Just wanted to note what an outstanding support group this is. You all are excellent!
And you're even more amazing in that this disease's symptoms are so varied for people. There is no set of "MS symptoms," no protocol to say "this disease will follow this course in 90 percent of sufferers." It's so cool that everyone commiserates and empathizes with others, even if they have different symptoms.
To angela5674, I'm not a doctor, but I imagine that falling hard enough to require six staples in your head could indeed cause a flare-up.
As for the MS hug, I have that on and off, but not as severe or as consistent as you seem to be experiencing. And yes, I can believe your neurologist having never heard of the MS hug. My neurologist now is a renowned MS expert who sees almost exclusively people suffering from this disease. But my previous neurologist, who saw all kinds of patients with all kinds of neurological maladies? I am convinced that I knew more in certain ways about MS than she ever did. And that is no slam on her.
All this rambling to say that if you are lucky enough to find a true MS expert for a physican, latch on to him or her in a hurry.
And thanks again to this great community for being here.
And you're even more amazing in that this disease's symptoms are so varied for people. There is no set of "MS symptoms," no protocol to say "this disease will follow this course in 90 percent of sufferers." It's so cool that everyone commiserates and empathizes with others, even if they have different symptoms.
To angela5674, I'm not a doctor, but I imagine that falling hard enough to require six staples in your head could indeed cause a flare-up.
As for the MS hug, I have that on and off, but not as severe or as consistent as you seem to be experiencing. And yes, I can believe your neurologist having never heard of the MS hug. My neurologist now is a renowned MS expert who sees almost exclusively people suffering from this disease. But my previous neurologist, who saw all kinds of patients with all kinds of neurological maladies? I am convinced that I knew more in certain ways about MS than she ever did. And that is no slam on her.
All this rambling to say that if you are lucky enough to find a true MS expert for a physican, latch on to him or her in a hurry.
And thanks again to this great community for being here.
Hi girls, thanks for the feedback so far!
Sherma- I was on 1000mg for 3 days. As I said, no taper. I have been trying to keep my torso warm when possible. I've taken baths, etc. I woke up this morning and my leg hurt again. This was only my first steroid shot. I thought it had taken my eye pain away, but, judging how I feel this morning, not so much. Usually it's not there in the morning, but it was the first thing I felt when i opened my eyes.
Heather- The MS Hug started at the beginning of this week, I think (don't all of these symtpoms just run together after awhile!). The vertigo has been going on for about 2 1/2 weeks. I probably could take a leave of absence or something. More my own guilt than anything, but I know I have to think of myself. I'm just not used to that! I didn't go into the mental therapy profession to think of myself! I would really like to get a new MRI to see if there's new lesions. It just seems like there is so many new things going on not to have something new there. Thank you for your support and kind words.
Ya know what I think is interesting? I read Granny's post last night that had the website for the brain injury sight. Do you guys remember my post at the beginning of December (the 6th or so I believe) where I had said I had fallen at work, slammed my head on the corner of cement stairs, and had to get 6 staples in the back of my head? Do you think this could have precipitated this flair-up? It was very interesting to read that website!
Angela
Sherma- I was on 1000mg for 3 days. As I said, no taper. I have been trying to keep my torso warm when possible. I've taken baths, etc. I woke up this morning and my leg hurt again. This was only my first steroid shot. I thought it had taken my eye pain away, but, judging how I feel this morning, not so much. Usually it's not there in the morning, but it was the first thing I felt when i opened my eyes.
Heather- The MS Hug started at the beginning of this week, I think (don't all of these symtpoms just run together after awhile!). The vertigo has been going on for about 2 1/2 weeks. I probably could take a leave of absence or something. More my own guilt than anything, but I know I have to think of myself. I'm just not used to that! I didn't go into the mental therapy profession to think of myself! I would really like to get a new MRI to see if there's new lesions. It just seems like there is so many new things going on not to have something new there. Thank you for your support and kind words.
Ya know what I think is interesting? I read Granny's post last night that had the website for the brain injury sight. Do you guys remember my post at the beginning of December (the 6th or so I believe) where I had said I had fallen at work, slammed my head on the corner of cement stairs, and had to get 6 staples in the back of my head? Do you think this could have precipitated this flair-up? It was very interesting to read that website!
Angela
How long has this "MS Hug" been going on? And the vertigo? You cannot possible go back to work, when you are still feeling like this. Can you take some sick time or request a shot leave of absence. Remember in the United States, you cannot be fired for missing days with a doctor's excuse.
I think you really need to take some more time to let the Solumedrol do what it can and try to recover from some of these symptoms.
The MS Hug when I get it, usually will last as long as the flair-up does, unfortunately. In my case, it has gone on for weeks. It's so uncomfortable to feel like you can't expand your lungs to take in a deep breath. Try to rest as much as possible and listen to what you body is trying to tell you. It's a signal that you HAVE to slow down....
I am so sorry that you are feeling so poorly, Angela. I'd give my life, if it meant that this dam disease would just disappear from this planet....It's so frustrating...
We are with you honey. Through all of it....
Heather
I think you really need to take some more time to let the Solumedrol do what it can and try to recover from some of these symptoms.
The MS Hug when I get it, usually will last as long as the flair-up does, unfortunately. In my case, it has gone on for weeks. It's so uncomfortable to feel like you can't expand your lungs to take in a deep breath. Try to rest as much as possible and listen to what you body is trying to tell you. It's a signal that you HAVE to slow down....
I am so sorry that you are feeling so poorly, Angela. I'd give my life, if it meant that this dam disease would just disappear from this planet....It's so frustrating...
We are with you honey. Through all of it....
Heather
I had 500g per day for 5 days without a taper, but I had a rebound which was awful - all my old relapses came back at once - it lasted for just a few weeks. As for the MS hug - which my neuro had NEVER heard of - the best advice I can give you for that as I have had it a few times now is to keep your torso warm - take a bath etc, try not to over do it no stretching and so on, to try and keep the muscles relaxed. As for going back to work would your boss not understand that your not ready for it?? Vertigo and the hug is not a good mix is it? At least the steroids did something for you, how many times have you had the infusion?? because over a period of time it looses it's effectiveness (sp).
Maybe some of the others can shed some light and give you their advice on how to deal with the hug - but like I said relaxing the muscles and keeping warm helps me.
Debs X
Maybe some of the others can shed some light and give you their advice on how to deal with the hug - but like I said relaxing the muscles and keeping warm helps me.
Debs X
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
