Steroid Side Effects?

[Ojibajo]

I have my first steroid infusion treatment tomorrow. As silly as it sounds I am actually excited since I have been pretty uncomfortable this week. I am hoping for instant relief.

What types of side effects have people had from these treatments? My doctor told me that I might feel really energetic from them. She said it like I was a bad thing. I can only hope that I feel really energetic!

Any advice?

[Ojibajo]

One more treatment left tomorrow. I didn't get the amazing burst of energy that I was hoping for and my house didn't get cleaned from top to bottom, :) but I do feel improvement.

I had a few side effects, but nothing too unbearable.  The PICC line doesn't bother me at all really, just a little itchy.

[Ojibajo]

Yeah Solu-Medrol, but I couldn't remember that, so I just typed what was on the bag. :)

[COBOB]

Methylprednisolone is the generic name for Solu-Medrol.  We use the shorthand ,IVSM (IV Solu-Medrol) for it on this forum quite a bit.

Bob

[Ojibajo]

Oh yeah, the steroid that they are giving me is Methylprednisolone.

[Ojibajo]

Feel free to add me as a friend. I update more on my journals so that I don't hog the forum. :)

[Ojibajo]

Peppermint tends to upset my stomach because of my reflux so I sucked on butterscotch instead. Mini-Milky Ways seemed to help. :)

I forgot what they gave me. I think it had a long hyphenated name I think.

I ended up sleeping for about 3 hours after I got home. It really knocked me out!

My stomach was a little weird but I think that was from the metal taste. I didn't have any appetite which I thought was weird. I did get a headache. I got relief pretty quick but it wore off somewhat after a few hours. I just took an anti-inflamatory. Hopefully I will sleep well tonight.

I was able to go snowshoeing tonight with my son at Family Fun night at his school. I brought a friend with me to help. I did okay, but had a little trouble with my balance. I had to take them off on the way back. I notice that I have trouble bending over (to pick things up etc.) without loosing my balance. I hope it's just a side effect and goes away.

My son grabbed my arm and made my IV line bleed. I hope that they don't have to re-do it tomorrow. Otherwise I am doing well, no pain really except a little in my knees which I already had and a headache.

[summerluvr]

when your cycle is finished it can be hard to....

Like someone mentioned everyone is different, but I had pain, especially my arms (forearms?)

Oh and yes, I forgot about my poor stomach.

The steroid I take is dexemathesone, and not prednisone, so I'm not sure if there is a difference?  

[figuerpa]

The best thing that worked for the metal taste, well for me anyway was to suck on peppermints. I forgot about the headaches, keep a supply of tylonol on hand for those.

Glad to here you feel more relaxed after your first dose. Hopefully you won't get the insomnia that some people get.

Wishing you the best,
Paula

[Ojibajo]

All done I'm feeling sleepy and a have a slight headache and my mouth tastes like metal. I tried drinking 7-up. It tasted like Lemon-Metal. On the plus side, my muscles already feel more relaxed. The spasming is greatly reduced.

[jujuminx]

Slightly thristy and a little jittery. Slept well and ate normally.

Julie

[figuerpa]

It took about an hour for each dose when I did it. You will feel much better. It will be worth it.

[Ojibajo]

Well I am all plugged in. So far so good. I have the worlds SLOWEST I.V. but the alternative is going back to the office so I'm good!

[Ojibajo]

I have GERD already. I'll bring some Pepcid with me and some hard candy too! Thanks for the tips!

[figuerpa]

For me it was the heartburn so be prepared with some antacids. Also the taste it leaves in your mouth while it is being administered. I sucked on peppermints during it to help with that.

I didn't have trouble sleeping past the first day. I only slept like 4 hours the first night but after that I slept fine, maybe cause I overdid it during the days and I didn't nap like I usually do.

I did have the racing heart but no weight loss lol I felt like I could eat a horse while I was on them .

I hope all goes well for you and good luck,
Paula

[MsmsinFl]

Insomnia for me -- no big deal.

But elevated blood sugar is a Very common side effect -- was for me, even though I'm not diabetic.  I had insulin shots a couple of times over the 5 days I was in the hospital getting the IVSM.  Be sure you're getting your sugar checked (a simple finger stick).

[COBOB]

I would be taking Zantac today.  The biggest issue I have with IVSM is heartburn!

Bob

[anon07072023]

Hmmm, not everyone's side effects will be the same. In fact, you may not really have any side effects that you notice.  
My side effects were:
racing heart - I lost about 5 lbs in 3 days.
skin sensitive to the touch.
feeling like I was beat up with a baseball bat on my back.
shaking.
and feeling like my achilles tendon was going to rip off.

Just try to relax and take it easy.  I hope all goes good for you.

[summerluvr]

by energy, she means mood swings, and insomnia ;)  well for me anyway.  My doc said she has had 70 year old patients cleaning their homes at 3 in the morning... lol.

I take steroids for different illness, but I think the side effects are the same with high dose steroids!