tremors from solumedrol?

[steph74]

I had my first dose of solumedrol this morning.  For a while I've had some weird tremors (with muscle contraction primarily, but also visible when I hold my hands out, to type or something).  I know some fine tremor is normal, but these were more than usual.  Now they're much more pronounced today.  Is this a normal side effect?  I don't feel particularly jittery or wired, but I know it can affect people differently.

[steph74]

I'm surprised you're as able to keep up with everyone as well as you do!  Anyway, I'm not sure if I have said or not.  :-)  I can't remember much these days.

I saw the MS specialist a few weeks ago and I had noticable neurological signs, she said pertaining to my cerebellum, pons, and c-spine.  I won't bother repeating all of them here, but she did ask if I wanted to try a dose of iv steroids at that time.  I had thought I'd wait things out since I felt like I could deal with all of it.  Also, My MRI's have been lovely and clear, so no one really knows what's causing these sx (although the dr did say "This looks, smells, and sounds like MS.")

Anyway, over the past few weeks I've had increasingly bad dizzy spells (really no fun, though luckily they don't last longer than a few minutes), increasing weakness in my left leg (that actually wasn't even a sign she noted on my neuro exam, but it's definitely there now!), decreased sensation in some areas, very bad fatigue.  So I basically asked if it would be okay to do this and what the down side would be.  She said there really wasn't a lot of down side, other than the temporary side effects, and it could make me feel better.  I really hope it does.  This has been going on since the beginning of February and I'm ready to feel a little better instead of worse.

It's a three day course of solumedrol and I started this morning, so I'll do the second and third infusions at home.  The nurse today said three days shouldn't be too bad, but when you get up to five, the side effects can be pretty unpleasant.

[sllowe]

Hi Steph,

Like you say, the tremors can be from MS and they can increase during a flare. How much longer on the solumedrol? Why did they order it? (I'm so behind w/everyone - sorry if you've already mentioned).

I'm thinking and hoping if the increase in tremor is from a flare and not the steroids that once they are good and in your system for awhile you may see some improvement.

Glad you are not jittery from that solumed as of yet......