IVSM Buzz

[Lulu54]

Why else would I wake at 4, after going to bed at 1:00AM?  Yes, I did make myself stay in bed a while longer and went back to sleep for another 45 minutes or so, but gave up and got up at 5:30.

I had a mini-dose of solumedrol yesterday before my Tysabri infusion.  My neuro does the IVSM with the first three infusions because some people have an allergic  reaction to Tysabri, and if that is going to happen, it will be in the first 3-4 doses.  The IVSM preps the body to either a) not have this allergic reaction or b) not allow the reaction if it happens to set off a more serious chain of events.  I am still not sure which it is and will ask next month - he was not in Clinic yesterday for me to ask, nor would I have necessarily  known this is what I wanted to ask at the time. LOL  From what I know, few neurologists do this - he says there is no evidence other than anecdotal that it works.  

Now that you have the background, here is my question - do you have any IVSM buzz tips to share?  What works for you to quiet down the effects of this megadose of steroids?    Last month I had a bit of the jitters and sleeplessness, but it wasn't too pronounced.  This time seems a bit more.....

hope you all have a good weekend and get some sleep for me!
Lulu

[Guitar_grrrl]

I haven't had IVSM in over 2 years, but the middle-of-the-night buzz was unmistakeable.  I just read...finished a couple of books those four days... :-D  I was also really lucky not to have the munchies, or bite DH's head off. The other unmistakeable thing was a super acid stomach.  I learned to take a Pepcid before my infusions.

[Rena705]

Sorry to hear you are having to deal with this STUPID IVSM girl!  I have had infusions a few times now and I will do ANYTHING to avoid it now.  I am always so jittery and sleepless and hungry and grouchy and it goes on and on!

I hope you can find an answer to your question honey...I am sooo glad that my neuro decided that Gabapentin is the way to go...now I just have to see if it works!

Best of luck to you and I hope you feel better soon!

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[figuerpa]

I really don't have anything to say that would help. I never had to much of an issue with with sleep when I took the IVSM. I did have the jitters but I think I wore myself out during the day because of all the energy they gave me that when it was time for sleep I was tired.

Hope you find a remedy and get some sleep!

Paula

[Lulu54]

I wish the urge to clean had kicked in - instead I have poked around, did the MS swim and then took the car for an oil change.  Not much to show for my energetic day.  :-)

[Sidesteps]

PS I hope you get some sleep tonight. :) I'm trying to get caught up on life after not feeling well the last month. Wish me luck on Barb vs Her Home. :)

[Sidesteps]

Lulu, I am sorry you couldn't sleep! Did you clean the house too? ;)

"do you have any IVSM buzz tips to share?  What works for you to quiet down the effects of this megadose of steroids?"

I handled my first dose pretty well I think.

I learned to get my treatment in the morning so that allows the medication to wear off more before bedtime to allow sleep.

I took 2 Tylenol PM the first night thinking I needed it (I might've!) and had 6 hours of steady sleep.

I learned my veins can't handle leaving the IV port in - so I will now get the baby IV's and just have them stick me 5 times. They take a little longer (less than 1 hour vs 30 minute treatments) but I don't mind relaxing. They  don't leave any pronounced bruising or barely a marked.

I avoid sugar and caffeine --- for blood sugar increase and jitters. My body did NOT do well with either of those while on treatments.

[Dagun]

I feel for you, I had a problem with sleeping some years ago and it is terrible. Now I can sleep so deep and for so long, untill my back says NO, or I have to go to work. I wish I could send you some of my "good-night-sleep" ;). I sure hope this gets better for you soon.

My best,
Dagun

[ku111]

Darn it!  No fun to know you need and want to sleep but can't.  Sorry.  Just curious, did they prescribe a sleep med for you also?  Some times this really effects some and not others but we usually have an order for a sleep med to help.  Some people don't want sleep aide but there is also benadryl ordered also.  I hope tonight is better!