steroids and MS specialist

[bagheesmom]

After a month of suffering my Neuro finally decided I needed some help so put me on oral prednisone taper for 20the days. Crossing my fingers for some relief! Steroids cause horrible joint pain in me so that s u c k s! Its a trade off but I have to try it!
    I do have an appt with the MS specialist in Washington friday morning. Oh Goodness, im nervous! So hoping for answers and oddly enough a Dx. I know that probably sounds strange but been suffering so long with no real answers, so at this point I feel like a dx would be a relief and a place we can move forward from instead of spinning my wheels!

[bagheesmom]

     I have been on steroids before for headaches and always get the joint pain for the first 2-3 days. My dr knows of the situation. At this point I really felt like I had no choice as I am facing a 7hr car ride and seriously struggled with my 2 1/2 hr.ride a week and a half ago. I had to weigh the benefits vs. Risks. Hopefully it will work out!
    I already had my surgery on the 16th of July and since all of my symptoms increased.
    My thrush did clear up however I am expecting it to flare back up unfortunately as I typically get a yeast infection (sorry tmi).
    

[kwarendorf]

That's not a strange hope at all :-) Before being diagnosed we all wanted to know that the h*ll was wrong with us :-) Once you know what's wrong woth you you can begin the war against it!

Good luck on Friday,
Kyle

[twopack]

I want to offer you good thoughts for Friday - AND I DO - but there are several cautions running around in my head as well.

After waiting for this appointment with the MS specialist I hope you don't clear too many of your symptoms with the steroid taper.... or create new ones with side effects.  First visit diagnoses are hard enough to come by without stirring up the symptom pool.

Did you get that thrush cleared?  If I remember correctly you stopped taking the medicine your doc ordered to treat it?  If it is still lingering at all the course of steroids are likely to give it a HUGE boost.

"Horrible joint pains" are NOT a common or trivial complaint while taking steroids.  Did you share this with your doc?  It is easy to be tempted into using risky treatments when we feel desperate for relief.  Risks can seem reasonable right up until the moment consequences begin to stare us in the face.  

Also, are you still scheduled for surgery next week?  There are many potential side effects and increased risks with steroid use before, during or after surgery.  Your surgeon needs to be aware NOW if you are taking steroids prior to surgery.  DON'T wait until you get there - seriously!  Only your surgeon is qualified to make a proper evaluation of risk.

I'm sorry bagheesmom.  I'm not usually this negative about steroid use or this vocal about their dangerous side effects.  I'm extra cautious this time because I believe you are about to become somebodysgrandmom.  That is NOT a somebody you will want to cheat out of even one day with you.

Please be careful.  I do hope you find some answers in Washington.