Bizarre question, I think

[michelleric]

Hi all,

Perhaps this is a bit of denial on my part, but thought I would ask. I was in a very bad flare the last few weeks. I had mega steroid, and finished about a week ago. I didn't think it has done any good, BUT, 2 days or so, all of a sudden I noticed a very big change for the good. Swallowing was fine, no more face pain, no MS hug, still having problem with my leg, but my foot is "not on fire" anymore.

Don't get me wrong, I am extremely grateful I am feeling SO much better. However, perhaps the dx of MS is not correct? How can I feel so much better and have MS. Would the steroid have been that beneficial? If it wasn't MS would the steroid have worked anyway?

I know this sounds stupid. I guess when I feel good, I feel I must be healthier than was thought.

Thats it for now. My life is still in the midst of a disaster, but our Cobra insurance kicked in yesterday afternoon! Now we can afford to get sick. My father is still in the hospital with a bloodclot on his heart, and he is incoherent now...Life is still pretty rough, but I have a much better attitude at the moment.

Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers,
Michelle

[Quixotic1]

My answer is that the steroids kicked in 5 days after they finished and this is your symptomatic improvement.  Yes, we hear about this kind of improvement frequently.  That is why they give the steroids.  And the response is evidence that this is MS.  This is because they gave you the med hoping that a lot of your symptoms would be due to the immune inflammation of the lesions.  

Mind you, I suspect the symptoms aren't gone forever, hallelujah that they are gone for now.  It also shows that you are "steroid-responsive" and should respond well in the future.  I am so happy for you.

This does not open the door to denial, sorry.  It's just doing exactly what your doc hoped it would do.  Some people do report a late response like this.  It is not coincidence.

Enjoy it and do NOT overdo.

(((HUGS)))

Quix

[biowham]

Michelle, I'm glad to read that you have two things, at least, looking up for you. I think what Lu says sounds right. I'm sorry your dad is still having problems. I know everyone is different, but I have a grandmother (she has MS, has had it for 65 years, and is now 90) who has had several crises in which she ends up incoherent and we all fear the worst...and then, she heals and is back to her normal energizer-bunny self. I hope that your father experiences some relief like this, as well.

Bio

[Lulu54]

Dear Michelle, it is good to hear you are better, even though the rest of your circumstances are still not so great.  

Lets see if I can get an answer right about this - I've been trying to master the concept of Solu-Medrol for a while now and someone out there should correct me if I'm wrong.

If you had not taken the steroids, you would have still eventually improved to where you are now, but it could have taken a heck of a lot longer.  The steroids only work at reducing the inflammation, but do nothing for the disease itself.

With this disease your physical symptoms will come and go, and that is mainly unpredicatable.  

Its good to hear the COBRA kicked in - now don't go thinking you can get sick just because you have insurance, ok? LOL

Lulu