Aa
Solumedrol withdrawal
Hi,
I've been on Solumedrol few times so far (3 days IV, 1gram) and thought I knew what to expect. But this one is different (had my last two days ago). FIrst of all - I had no energy booster (I took it for fatigue and vertigo this time). And now the withdrawal worse than ever! I've slept almost all day yesterday and all night (rare with medrol!) and am still feeling awfully: headache is killing me, I'm very dizzy and lightheaded, and I'm soooo tired!
Please share your ideas about that. How long might it take for steroids to kick in and withdrawal effects to go away? I might be panicking so I need a voice of reason.
Thanks a lot for help,
Kasia
I've been on Solumedrol few times so far (3 days IV, 1gram) and thought I knew what to expect. But this one is different (had my last two days ago). FIrst of all - I had no energy booster (I took it for fatigue and vertigo this time). And now the withdrawal worse than ever! I've slept almost all day yesterday and all night (rare with medrol!) and am still feeling awfully: headache is killing me, I'm very dizzy and lightheaded, and I'm soooo tired!
Please share your ideas about that. How long might it take for steroids to kick in and withdrawal effects to go away? I might be panicking so I need a voice of reason.
Thanks a lot for help,
Kasia
I am on a 5 day regimen of solumerol 1gm(1000mg) daily x 5 days. Newly diagnosed & and this is my first infusion. The only side effects Ive had so far is insomnia & bad taste during transfusion. Im hospitalized & asked for xanax & ambien for the jitters & insomnia. so far it has been working really good. I am on daily prozac 20mg. I am also a Registered Nurse, always been the one taking care of MS patients and now I am the patient. My exacerbation was terrible so the SE of steroids far outweighs the misery Ive been in for 2 months :)
1 Comments
I’m so sorry ! Iv currently experiencing IVM withdraws ! No taper after 5 IVM days and i feel awful !!!! My head feels like weird electricity flowing through my brain . I have MS Dx 2003 . My doctor says I’m going through a major relapse . I can’t wait to feel better soon
Thank you all for posting. I had the 3 day 1 g IV a week ago and I really was starting to think I was just being a huge baby. I have Lupus Nephritus and was already on 60mg prednisone and continue to be. Yet, I also have to be on an imminiosuppresant and thought all of this was a side effect of the suppressant , which I have to be on for 6-9 months. I didn't think my body could take this pain for that long. After reading this page I am hopeful that next week I will be able to function . Well, at least more than right now.
I am on a 5 day iv infusion and my Dr is giving me no steroid pack to step down after the 1g infusion. I will let you know how I do.
Hi All,
So glad I found this site and all of your wisdom and wonderful sharing. I thought I was losing my mind!!
I've had IVSM at least 5 times over the past 15 years. All had 3-5 day 1000mg IV and a 21 day taper and my reaction was pretty consistent. Energy, no sleep, tummy ulcers, hyper activity, OCD, euphoria and mild aggression. I always got a lot accomplished around the house during these treatments and they usually helped my symptoms and put me back on the right track. Until this time!
New Neuro and No Taper. The 3 days of IV were typical, but coming off has been dramatic. Depression, anxiety, dizzy, heart palpitations, anger and frustration outbursts to the point of throwing things across the room. I then was given a 10 day taper, but it was too late, I'm stuck in this hell hole!
I finished the last 10mg dose 24 hours ago and I am counting the minutes until this drug gets fully outa my system! Icing on the cake, no change in my MS symptoms!
So glad I found this site and all of your wisdom and wonderful sharing. I thought I was losing my mind!!
I've had IVSM at least 5 times over the past 15 years. All had 3-5 day 1000mg IV and a 21 day taper and my reaction was pretty consistent. Energy, no sleep, tummy ulcers, hyper activity, OCD, euphoria and mild aggression. I always got a lot accomplished around the house during these treatments and they usually helped my symptoms and put me back on the right track. Until this time!
New Neuro and No Taper. The 3 days of IV were typical, but coming off has been dramatic. Depression, anxiety, dizzy, heart palpitations, anger and frustration outbursts to the point of throwing things across the room. I then was given a 10 day taper, but it was too late, I'm stuck in this hell hole!
I finished the last 10mg dose 24 hours ago and I am counting the minutes until this drug gets fully outa my system! Icing on the cake, no change in my MS symptoms!
Think of steroid withdrawl the same as alcohol withdrawl. It takes up to 5 days to get through the worst of it and takes another week or so to get to feeling completely normal. that is how it is for me when I am on them. But I am to the point where I don't think I will get the IVSM anymore due to the withdrawls and the infections I get after taking them. Everytime I have had them I end up sick aftewards because of the steroids knocking out your immune system.
I hope you start feeling better soon, if you do take them again see if your doctor will give you a taper dose so that you don't come down so hard!
Take care,
Paula
I hope you start feeling better soon, if you do take them again see if your doctor will give you a taper dose so that you don't come down so hard!
Take care,
Paula
I am 60 and male was just dx with ms in the last 3 weeks, did the 3 day Solumedrol (wed-Fri) with some neck aches this past Saturday. Other than that I seem ok.
will start my Copaxone on Feb 1st for the first time.
My best to all of the folks on the forum.
will start my Copaxone on Feb 1st for the first time.
My best to all of the folks on the forum.
I am supposed to start Copaxone also. I am afraid of the side effects or having a bad reaction to it,but Doc says it is a MUST. So here I go. Anyone on Copaxone know what to expect?
I had solumedrol for the first time three weeks ago.
After the first two days, I started feeling really shaky.
That was the worst. I also started to feel queasy.
I think it was from my lack of sleep.
I did not get a taper dose.
Once that wore off I did feel better.
I think there is residual disability from this last flare.
My legs aren't working as well and I still get tired easily.
Starting copaxone hopefully next week.
Good lick.
After the first two days, I started feeling really shaky.
That was the worst. I also started to feel queasy.
I think it was from my lack of sleep.
I did not get a taper dose.
Once that wore off I did feel better.
I think there is residual disability from this last flare.
My legs aren't working as well and I still get tired easily.
Starting copaxone hopefully next week.
Good lick.
Many docs follow 3/5 day Solumedrol with a 12 day oral taper. That's what I did in August following 5 days of IVSM -1g. I think I started at 60mg and worked down to 10 over 12 days.
OMG, thank you for writing! I did think it was JUST me. Last time after a 5 (or was it 3) day treatment, I came home as the energizer bunny and happy ... This time though, after a 3 day treatment, I can honestly say I wanted to DIE and made plans for it. I thought most of my despair was what was going on in my personal life ... 3 teenagers, son diagnosed with Diabetes type I, separated from husband, head pain ... it goes on. I had a bad reaction - suicidal while on oral prednisone years ago, so vowed to avoid it as much as possible. I am even afraid to take prednisone to taper the effects. Any suggestions? ... Its been 5 days after my treatment so I don't want to start all over again with the side effects ...
Julie, thank you for your comment. I'm much better (as expected but not believed at the time). I tried taper once and OMG it was awful! For me it's just prolonging the withdrawal. So now, whenever I take SM I skip it.
But that's what works for me and I know that everyone reacts differently.
My warmest thoughts,
Kasia
But that's what works for me and I know that everyone reacts differently.
My warmest thoughts,
Kasia
Please call your doctor if you are not feeling better today and ask for a prednisone taper. You didn't get an oral steroid taper medication after the infusions this time did you?
I am in the hospital right now, rehab unit actually, contintuing to recover from the fact that my neuro doesn't believe in giving steroid tapers. He quoted case studies and medical literature that says its not necessary to give tapers after infusions. He said that to me while I was sitting in a wheelchair in his exam room not even stong enough to hold my head up. This happened 2 days after I came off my last of 3 doses of IVSM. My body just crashed. I was exterememly weak, headache, nausea, and has a fever. He finally agreed to give me a script for steroids but it was too late for that beause I was already too sick to even go back home and be safe. He finally admitted me gave another 2 days of IVSM and now he believes me that some people just can not come off that high a dose of steroids and NOT be given tapering doses while we withdraw from it.
Taking steroids is serious business and I only resort to them when a relapse affects my legs or eyes. This relapse, optic neuritis, should have been very manageable unfortunately my doctor wouldn't give me a script for steroids which would have cost me $10 instead now I have a hospital bill that will be around 2 grand.
Please if you aren't feeling better, let that doctor know because you may need that steroid boost to help you get the symptoms your are having back under control.
One more thing...Don't be shy about telling the doctor that you need a steroid taper nect time you have to do the IVSM as it sounds like your body is trying to tell you something about coming off these high doses cold turkey.
Hope you feel better soon.
Julie
I am in the hospital right now, rehab unit actually, contintuing to recover from the fact that my neuro doesn't believe in giving steroid tapers. He quoted case studies and medical literature that says its not necessary to give tapers after infusions. He said that to me while I was sitting in a wheelchair in his exam room not even stong enough to hold my head up. This happened 2 days after I came off my last of 3 doses of IVSM. My body just crashed. I was exterememly weak, headache, nausea, and has a fever. He finally agreed to give me a script for steroids but it was too late for that beause I was already too sick to even go back home and be safe. He finally admitted me gave another 2 days of IVSM and now he believes me that some people just can not come off that high a dose of steroids and NOT be given tapering doses while we withdraw from it.
Taking steroids is serious business and I only resort to them when a relapse affects my legs or eyes. This relapse, optic neuritis, should have been very manageable unfortunately my doctor wouldn't give me a script for steroids which would have cost me $10 instead now I have a hospital bill that will be around 2 grand.
Please if you aren't feeling better, let that doctor know because you may need that steroid boost to help you get the symptoms your are having back under control.
One more thing...Don't be shy about telling the doctor that you need a steroid taper nect time you have to do the IVSM as it sounds like your body is trying to tell you something about coming off these high doses cold turkey.
Hope you feel better soon.
Julie
Yeah, I told my friend last night, I feel like I'm gonna DIE!! I just know I dont ever want to do this again!!
Thanks for response! That's the problem with steroids - every time I take them I forget about what happens after ;/
Now I start remembering that that's exactly what happens every time (more or less), meaning: I just wanna die! But I also remember that eventually it goes away so I hope same will happen this time (and rather sooner than later).
So Beth: just hang on there and you should be fine in few days. And writing this I know how that sounds (not sure I can take it any time more).
Hugs,
Kasia
Now I start remembering that that's exactly what happens every time (more or less), meaning: I just wanna die! But I also remember that eventually it goes away so I hope same will happen this time (and rather sooner than later).
So Beth: just hang on there and you should be fine in few days. And writing this I know how that sounds (not sure I can take it any time more).
Hugs,
Kasia
Kasia,
I just finished a 3 day on Wed. It is now 4 days later and I feel worse than I did before. Not having done this before, I really didnt know what to expect. Certainly did not expect this. My ENTIRE left side is so weak I can barly move. I have an EMG tomorrow at my neuros office and I will ask about this. After 10 years, I am only days away from a dx. I am glad its not just me, because to tell u the truth, I was gettimg worried.
Take care,
Beth
I just finished a 3 day on Wed. It is now 4 days later and I feel worse than I did before. Not having done this before, I really didnt know what to expect. Certainly did not expect this. My ENTIRE left side is so weak I can barly move. I have an EMG tomorrow at my neuros office and I will ask about this. After 10 years, I am only days away from a dx. I am glad its not just me, because to tell u the truth, I was gettimg worried.
Take care,
Beth
I know that feeling... Hello, this is supposed to help me, so why am I feeling worse?
For me, I did not benefit from steroids at all. I've only had them once, a 5-day course, and they made me worse. I don't know if it was withdrawal or side effects, or whatever, but it was bad.
As to how long for the negative effects to go away, it took about a week for me. I hope yours goes away much sooner!
For me, I did not benefit from steroids at all. I've only had them once, a 5-day course, and they made me worse. I don't know if it was withdrawal or side effects, or whatever, but it was bad.
As to how long for the negative effects to go away, it took about a week for me. I hope yours goes away much sooner!
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Multiple Sclerosis Community
Top Neurology Answerers
Australia
ON
Queensland, Australia
Queen Creek, AZ
Find out how beta-blocker eye drops show promising results for acute migraine relief.
In this special Missouri Medicine report, doctors examine advances in diagnosis and treatment of this devastating and costly neurodegenerative disease.
Here are 12 simple – and fun! – ways to boost your brainpower.
Discover some of the causes of dizziness and how to treat it.
Discover the common causes of headaches and how to treat headache pain.
Two of the largest studies on Alzheimer’s have yielded new clues about the disease
