Is this a common side effect of steroids, or something unrelated?

[michelleric]

Ok, always something new. I had 2 days of IV solu-medrol this week, now on day 3 of a 12 day taper.  My leg and TN are better, however, I feel awful (tired, swollen, red face, sweaty etc). I know those can all be "normal" side effects.

My hubby is sick with his "worst sore throat ever." He went to Urgent care, no strep, "virus", was dx. This is his 3rd day of miserable sore throat. He can hardly speak, trouble swallowing, bad.

I have been trying to stay away from him.  

This is my concern:

My glands in my neck, jaw, are very very swollen.  The ones in the back of my neck feel like a string of grapes going up my sides. I can not chew to well. My jaw, on both sides, is very painful.  Feels like my jaw could break. I do not feel well.

Can steroids make your glands swell? I know they "shouldnt" do this, but can they?

Thx,

Michelle

[twopack]

Hey Michelle.  Any chance you can take care of you and let Grammy take care of the rest of the family?  Could be an excellent time for her visit if you don't have to try to entertain her.

Please take care of yourself.  If it's hard to swallow from swelling, trouble breathing from swelling could be right behind.  You worry me and I barely know you yet.

Mary

[Lulu54]

Michelle,
Sorry that all of this is happening - the 'roids, the viral infection for hubby and you, and your MIL in town.  What a way to wrap up 2009.

Now there is to be a fresh start for 2010, right?  I sure hope that this is the last of your problems for a long, long time.

Hang in there and make that call bright and early,
L

[michelleric]

Quix and Kathy,

Thanks for your comments.  My hubby is on route to airport and the snow is coming down...fast.

Kids r waiting in anticipation for Grammy, and I am waiting in anticipation of being accident free on the highway. I still have a bit of the "waiting for the next bad thing" after bring in the throws of 2009.

Anyway, tomorrow I will call neuro and ask what to do. My PCP will probably not have too much of an idea, and always wants me to call Neuro.

Thanks again for all the wonderful help here,
Michelle

[Fluffysmom]

I'm sorry you (and your hubby) are feeling so lousy.  I hope your PCP will have some good ideas about how to get you feeling better, and making sure the infection doesn't become bacterial, too.  I hope your mother in law deals with this gracefully, and avoids catching the infection.

Take it easy, and feel better,

Kathy

[Quixotic1]

Well....my vote would still be for the call tonight.  You know me, but an infection on the 'roids is a semi-emergency.

Quix

[michelleric]

Thank you Quix, You are the best...Johnny on the Spot!

I will call neuro tomorrow, although I know she is out of town this week. Guess I will call my PCP in the A.M.  If this was a side effect of the steroids, I was DONE with them.

Must be some sort of infection, Rendean thought so too.

Even my skin hurts where these glands are.

My mother in law is flying in tonight!! I will probably need another round of steroids be next week, or end up in the hospital.  I have been trying to take it easy, but also trying to get ready for her. Not easy, and really a visit I think should not happen at the moment.  TOO MUCH.

Thanks, and I will be dialing in the A.M., unless it gets any worse. As the day has gone by, I know I am already much worse. No, I dont have a fever. checked. An having some difficulty swallowing though. I think the glands might be in the way?

Thanks again dear Q,

Hugs,
Michelle

[Quixotic1]

No, what you are feeling would likely be from infection.  You are at risk for a whopper of a bacterial infection because of how the steroids suppress your immune system.  So, while this is probably the same viral thingy your hubby has, you are at risk for a bacterial infection on top of it. You must notify your neuro and ask for instructions!

You must notify your neuro and ask for instructions!

Today.  They may want a CBC and may want to cover you with antibiotics - or not.  But, it should be their choice and not yours.

Do you have a fever?  You might not, because the steroids can even suppress a fever, which is part of the immune response.

So, you are dialing.....

Quix

[michelleric]

I meant 3 days of IV, not that it makes a difference