What to do????

[little_lady_chat]

Hello everyone.

My last ms relapse was nearly 2 months ago and I have a lot of questions.  I had a 3 day solu-medrol treatment and it seemed to help for about a week.  Now I seem just as bad as 2 months ago.  I also had a anxiety situation about a week ago and was put on lexapro and (clonazepam temporarily).  I feel so drugged and not myself I keep reading that these side effects will go away.  But I am worried.
My neuro has said that sometimes the solu-medrol does not help patients, and that time will tell if you will recover.  The other question is my neuro wants me to have an MRI (it has been over a year since my last, however I am switching insurances because the one I have now barely pays anything on my MRI
In the next 2 months (when I get my new insurance) will an MRI really help my situation.?  Would they out me back on steroids, or another treatment?  Please any advice or experiences would be great.  Sincerely, Heather

[Military_Wifey]

I can't answer you about the steroids as I haven't been on them yet. But, as for the MRI, I believe they will be using that to compare to your old one and see how you are progressing. A contrast enhancing lesion or would tell them of a current attack, but also the MRI itself gives them info about whether there are more lesions, if old lesions have disappeared, etc. Are you on a DMD? Hope you are feeling better soon!

-Dee

[Lulu54]

It is a lot to take in, isn't it?  I'm surprised we aren't all on anti-anxiety drugs at first when we get the MS dx.  

The MRI will be used to check your progress on the treatment, just like Dee wrote.  It is quite possible if the neuro sees that your current treatment is not working, then the recommendation could be to try a different DMD.


The Solu-medrol does not cure the problem but only relieves the symptoms.  You can wait out the problem and still be in the same place physically you would return to if you took the IV steroids.  I hope tht makes sense.

feel better,
Lulu

[Heather3418]

My Neuro reserves steroids for when I have Optic Neuritis and with that, it really helped my eye.  Sorry I can't answer your question about why it is not working for your last relapse.

You know, Heather your last relapse and this one, may be one in the same.  The steroids may have helped quiet your last relapse enough to have made things quiet.  When the steroids wore off, your relapse may have just continued.  It's just a thought.  I'm really guessing at this.

I have been diagnosed for 14 years and I used to have relapses close together.  When I started on the DMD's I maybe had two relapses a year.  You don't talk about taking any of the DMD's.  Are you on anything?

Just a suggestion, but Lexapro has a small amount of a tranquilizer in it.  You may not need the Klonopin.  That may make you feel less "loopy."  What's in the Lexapro may be enough for your body.

I believe that Dee hits it right on the head about the need to do another MRI.  I don't think it will hurt, either to wait until your new insurance takes effect.  I do think your Neurologist is being cautious, so that's a good thing.

Steroids are a pretty deal.  It's my opinion that you should only use them when you are having a tremendous amount of symptoms that are really interferring with your daily life or save them of you ever have Optic Neuritis.  They are hard on the body, even though steroids can work wonders.  Don't mean to sound like a smart you know what here.  Just speaking from a long period of having MS.

Please keep us updated about how you are feeling.  I hope you feel better soon.

All the Best,
Heather

[little_lady_chat]

Thanks for your comments.  I forgot to mention that I am currently on copaxone and have been on this for over 5 years.  My last relapse before this one was five years ago, before I started the copaxone.  I am just tired of this ms thing interfering with my life.  I know I sound like a whimp but it always happens at the worst time.  But I guess there never is a good time for ms is there??  As for the lexapro today I felt a little more myself, and a little less in the clouds.  Thanks for listening.  I will get another MRI when my new insurance kicks in as I am very curious to see what is going on in that brain of mine.  Thanks again Sincerely, Heather

[Lulu54]

Heather,
thanks for sharing that you went 5 years without a relapse on Copaxone.  That is encouraging news to all of us who also use copax. Its nice to know it is possible.

feel better,
Lulu