Welcome to the board, Olympia!

My first two "big" attacks lasted about 18 months. I got progressively worse over 6 weeks, did most of my recovery in the next 6 weeks, then I continued to recover over the next 15 months. Those two big attacks were 12 yrs apart.

I had "little" attacks in between, but nothing very difficult to contend with.

After my second big attack, I had three "medium" ones. They lasted about a month each, and I had considerable difficulty working through them (even though I worked flex-hours, from home).

I have never used steroids, and they weren't recommended to me either. My doc and neuro do not like the risks associated to using steroids, and I went along with that.

Short term use:
- allergic reaction
- insomnia
- psychiatric disturbance
- stomach upset
- fluid retention
- increased appetite
- acne
- bone damage/avascular necrosis (although rare, it can occur even after a single dose of steroids)

Long-term use:
- weight gain
- high blood pressure
- cataracts
- hardening of the arteries
- diabetes
- life threatening infections
- osteoporosis, or other bone damage

Steroid Warnings: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/methprd_wcp.htm

Steroid Side Effects: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/methprd_ad.htm

Cherie