Originally Posted by Nicknerd

Hey Patrick,

Do you mean how do they determine what dosage of prednisone is the best for you? I think that as a rule (well, not really a 'rule' but common practice), prednisone is usually not prescribed to people who have only eye weakness (although they are reconsidering this as not to allow the MG to progress where it's affecting other muscle groups). When it is prescribed, it's for people with general MG, and it's usually a high dose (40mgs and up), just because MG might be more resistant to steroids, I'm thinking.

The tests that the neuro. does for me to see where I'm at strength-wise are

the holding your arms in front of you for 2 mins. test
Upward eyegaze test
Looking from side to side test
counting test
FVC test
holding legs up test
resistance test
drinking water test
Sticking tongue unto cheek test
holding chest up while laying down test
puffing up cheeks with air test
screaming yourself hoarse test (just kidding...lol)

I always fail the arm, counting (speech is impaired as soon as I arrive anyway), FVC, sticking tongue, holding chest up...I used to fail the puffing up cheeks one prior to starting steroids, but not anymore...yaye, I can fill my cheeks with air- what a milestone! lol (j/k)

The prednisone has mainly helped with my facial weakness..When I was at 80mgs, I noticed an improvement overall, but the side-effects of the 'roids were brutal (high blood sugar, heart palpitations, panic attacks, sweating, dizziness)...

they started me at a very high dose initially as to ensure faster action because I'm bulbar, and they wanted to avoid me having to be vented 'cause I think that's where they thought things were heading...It was started in the hospital so as to attend to any exacerbations...

What is it about the prednisone that's making you feel that you're at too high of a dose? What side-effects are you experiencing?

talk to you soon!
Nicky