My turn - the next step in my MS

[Lulu54]

I  had my first IV solu-medrol today. Then for the next two days I am taking oral dexamethasone 200mg to finish a three day treatment.  We will see how my body reacts because this is a first for me.  The only other steriods I have had in my life were a small tapered dose for poison ivy.

I was at the neuro's today, and as I suspected, I am in a relapse.  My gait has deteriorated, my speed is slowed.  my right leg is weak and struggling to keep up with the left.  My fatigue may be the MS but it can also be a by-product of my body working so hard to get around.  I can honestly say I have had no pain with this episode.  Everything points to spinal lesion activity.

I was rather bummed by this, but I have to remind myself this is a relapsing and remitting disease.  My next phase then has to be remission, right?  I also can say this is my first relapse since dx in Sept '08, so i have had a longer stretch of relatively good health.  I should mark 2009 as a good year in my diary where my body stayed quiet.

The neuro will see me again in September to see what effect the steroids had on this relapse or if this is a progression in my disease.

This disease sure can be a Lulu, right?

[PastorDan]

So sorry to hear Lu that you and Alex are having issues as wellas Q.  Peach pie sounds good, though.

[HVAC]

Sorry Lulu.

Alex

[shermay]

Hi Lu,

Sorry to hear that your going through this.

In my personal experience, if you can feel pins and needles in your foot, then I would say IMO that the 'roids are starting to work.

Sorry to chime in so late, I dropped my Laptops Transformer on the floor - duh -

Sending hugs and love, and wishing you a speedy recovery,

Debs xxxxxxxxxx

[Lulu54]

Thanks Q.  Your presence here tonight and everywhere else on this forum is great to see - do you now have a laptop or are you ignoring doctor's orders and sitting upright at the PC?  


Please don't over do it, but really it has been great to read all of your responses.

And the pie was pretty darn good - we kept one and I made a Splenda version for my diabetic parents.  It makes up a wee bit for my ignoring them lately. Maybe I should go pick another peck of peaches for peck of  peach pie party?

[Quixotic1]

Even IV steroids can cause bleeding in the stomach.  With exercise the blood flow to the stomach and internal organs is reduced and their action is slowed.  That could be a way to feel the effects of the steroids.  

I like the Peck O'Peach Pie version of 'roid rage.  Could this type of behavior be behind the increase in weight with steroids???

Yes, you can feel better within 12 hours of a dose.

But, the heightened energy will also overcome that part of the "weakness" that was accentuated by fatigue.

I'll supply the copious amounts of French Vanilla ice cream for our Peck O'Peach Pie Party!

Quix

[Lulu54]

yes, I was warned that it will tear up a good stomach, which I already don't have thanks to GERDs and a Barretts Esophagus.  They say to take it with food and any stomach meds I can handle.  

I'm just wondering about the effects of somewhat strenuous activity of provoking the stomach reaction.

BTW - I made it through my 4 am to-do list and even made a good dinner tonight.  Well almost - the house still needs cleaned. I found other things to do while the pie was baking, like paying bills - my second least favorite thing to do, just barely ahead of cleaning.  Have I mentioned that I am a procrastinator?  - L