How long does it take for solumedrol to wear off?

[lk818]

My question is concerning Solu-Medrol... in June 2014 I was given 5 rounds of solumedrol IV, 1gram total. The side effects were terrible for a couple of weeks. I had 33 all together.  This is practically December and I am having headaches,  joint and muscle pain,  irritability,  sadness,  fatigue, crying.  Is this normal for this to happen now?  

[davincidanes]

I'd like to ask a follow-up question on this subject, if you don't mind.  I had my first SMIV three weeks ago.  I did not have any significant adverse affects except one day of headache, and one day feeling really depressed.  Beyond that, I have felt so much better... reduction in pain, that has been significant.  It has not helped my leg numbness, gait or balance issues though.  Is it realistic to believe that the benefits will last only up to six weeks - or possibly longer than that?  Thanks!

~Linda

[karryon55]

I would recommend you get in touch with your Neuro because you may be going through a relapse. Just because you didn't have any lesions in your brain then does not mean you are exempt from having any now. You have just posted dizziness and nausea more recently which could be MS related or could be something like your ears but I would be making contact to explain all of your symptoms as soon as you can.

Take Care,

Karry.

[karryon55]

Hi there and Welcome to the MS Community!

I was told by my doctor that IVSM can last in the body for "up to" 6 weeks. He also said that IVSM mucks around with most hormones in the body as well as blood sugar and natural cortisol levels.

I would be seeing one of your doctors about all of what you are feeling because it probably isn't related to the IVSM 6 months ago. It could be related to your MS and/or your recent diagnosis of MS. I have been dx just over a year ago now and I won't deny the first year has been tough both physically and psychologically.

I feel like I've been on a roller coaster of emotions this year and I started on an antidepressant mid this year which has helped me a lot. I also see a counsellor regularly which enables me to discuss the stressors in my life (believe me I have a few of those) and she gives me strategies to cope better. It is also pretty common to have some mental health issues in MS as you are living with a chronic condition and because MS actually affects the brain. I'm not a doctor though but I am a person living with MS and know what affect it has had on my life.

Take Care,

Karry.

[lk818]

I haven't talked to the dr yet but he said the medication would be in my system for quite sometime without giving an exact  time frame. When I read about the withdrawal everything seems to match up so I'm not sure. This morning now I woke up with nausea and dizziness. Any ideas?

I was diagnosed with MS earlier this year but there are no lesions in my brain. None of the problems I'm having look like what I had during the MS episodes.

[HVAC]

I do not think they last that long either. I take them for chemo and I have to redo them every three weeks. You can have a rebound effect where your symptoms come back worse but it would not last more than a couple of weeks.


Alex

[kwarendorf]

Hi LK Welcome to the group.

I have never heard of IVSM side effects lasting this long. It is possile that somegthing else is going on. What does your doc say?

Kyle