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1207048 tn?1282174304

What can I expect for the follow up after first suspected MS attack?

I woke up monday morning with a groggy head and veering to the left as I walked. I saw my doctor who diagnosed vertigo. He said an MS attack would get worse through the day or following few days. If I got worse he wanted to start a course of steroids. By monday afternoon my head was almost constantly spinning. I called my doctor and he said it is progressing and he recommended I come in to start the steroids.

I went in Monday evening and after a few attempts at finding a vein the infusion was started and I was given prescriptions for prednisone, prilesic, and a sleeping pill. Other then a headache monday night I felt pretty much the same.

Yesterday morning I went in for infusion #2. I mentioned to the PA that I had a headache and he said there is medicine they can give to help that. I opted to just try to treat it with tylenol. Yesterdays treatment wiped me out. The headache was horrible, behind both eyes, but worse behind my left eye, along my left temple all the way down to my jaw. The vertigo was back to the way it was in the beginning, veering but not a lot of spinning feeling.

Today I mostly am walking like I'm slightly drunk. I broke down and asked for the headache medicine, expecting it to just be a pill. Turns out it was an IV, but they barely got the last steroid treatment in before the vein blew. The nurse tried to get some of the headache medicine (I can't remember the name, but it starts with a D), and I think she got a teeny tiny bit in, but then it was not going in my vein. She tried to start another IV 4 times but couldn't get one, even using the smallest butterfly needle. I told her I will just do the pills instead.

The office was out of samples of the pills, so they wrote a prescription, but gave me a coupon so it would be free. Except my insurance requires prior authorization so no pills today, either. I bought some excedrin headache so I hope that helps.

So far no 'roid rage, mood changes, or being overly hungry. I'm mostly headachey, tired and just worn out completely.

My doctor wants to see me for a follow up in 3 weeks when I'm off the prednisone.

I'm wondering what I can expect at that follow up? Just a quick exam & how's everything going? After my MRI about a month ago my doctor had said he would want to have a repeat one done in 12 months, less if there are any issues that come up. Does this qualify as an issue that would mean another MRI sooner? I'm assuming not right away, but maybe in 6 months?

I know my decision to go with the steroid course is a bit "controversial", but although I'm slightly miserable right now, I still trust my doctors advice and don't regret doing it. That said, obviously, this is major and I will use it as sparingly as possible. I just pray that it helps enough that I can be on my own with the kids tomorrow, as my husband needs to return to work.

~Jess
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1207048 tn?1282174304
PasterDan,

The PA explained it to me by saying that though the sleeping pills are helping me sleep, the headache is most likely caused because the steroids have my brain 'amped up' so I'm not getting into the restful sleep. I guess the med will take it down a bit. Not demerol...I know it started with a D and has a K at or near the end. My hubby was busy wrangling the littlest monkeys so he wasn't able to be around for much. And, I was just so worn out I couldn't really process too much info.

Ugh, I've got to get past this! I have my Walk MS this Sunday LOL

Thank you for the reply and wishes!
~Jess
Helpful - 0
751951 tn?1406632863
Being a complete limbolander, I'm clueless what to expect next, but I wonder: the IV pain drug that starts with "D" -- Demerol, maybe?  Haven't had that since the '80s; pretty potent stuff, as I recall.  Dilaudid, also, but I don't know if Dilaudid's ever injected.

Best wishes.
Helpful - 0
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