IV Steroid Treatment Symptoms?

[pollypocket19]

Hello, I was just diagnosed with MS last week. I should probably be asking these questions to my neuro, but I don't see him until the end of next week, and it'll be the first meeting so I don't know how to contact him directly yet.
After the diagnosis, he immediately put me on an IV treatment for 5 days (I finished last Friday), with 1000mg of steroids which I was told was 10x the normal dosage so I was expecting side effects, especially because I'm smaller than average, but I'm not sure how long they should go on for. I think the worst of it has passed almost, but I'm a little concerned. I still get headaches, and I still can't sleep well at night because I'm up every hour to pee. I don't really go too frequently during the day but for whatever reason I'm up constantly at night. It's not just the feeling, my bladder is actually full, and while I'm trying to drink a good amount of water during the day to reduce the bloating, I don't know how normal it is to be constantly needing to go during the night. Also, I've been reading about steroid bloating and some people are saying that the bloating doesn't go away on its own. Maybe I'm being vain, but this seriously concerns me as I feel really uncomfortable in my bloated body, and I'm having a hard time finding nice work clothes to wear when I've gained at least 10 lbs and don't know when I'll be OK'ed to exercise. Did anyone else experience this? Will the bloating eventually go down or should I discuss an exercise regimen with my neuro?

Thank you!

[karryon55]

Unfortunately steroids cause you to retain fluid but this will pass but it may take some time yet. As steroids can also cause sleep disturbances I wonder if you are not sleeping that well so you are more aware of the need to go to the toilet at night. I usually have to go 3 times a night without steroids & I'm sure half of this is because I am often not in deep sleep due to pain from my arthritis.

The headaches seem to be fairly common with steroids as well but like all the other side effects they pass after time.

The diuretics is option as DV has suggested but be aware these can lower your blood pressure. I am sorry to hear of your dx but welcome to the MS community.

Good luck when you have your first meeting with your Neurologist next week.

Karry.

[supermum_ms]

Hi and welcome to our little MS community,

DD basically said what i was going to, so i'll just add my welcome and also say i'm glad you found us, but sorry your dx of MS was the reason behind doing so!

Hugs..........JJ

[doublevision1]

The bloating is fluid and it will remit once the steroids are cleared from your system. I usually get a prescription for a diuretic when I'm on steroids to help eliminate the excess fluid. You could inquire about this with your GP as you await your first meeting with your neuro. If you were to take this type of med, you'd need to do so early in the day so as not to further disrupt your sleep.

I'm sorry that you received this diagnosis. Hopefully you'll continue to use this forum as a resource. There are a lot of knowledgable people here that are always happy to help however they can.