[DizzyLizzy]

I just had my first attack of Optic Neuritis that started on Oct 9th.....I didn't actually know that it was ON causing my "double vision" until it had gotten to a point in which I didn't feel safe to drive. (still getting used to the whole MS thing) I called my neuro on 10/14 and he had me come right in to see him. He prescribed me 1,000 mg of Methylprednisolon for three days. This is also my first time taking steroids.

So I didn't sleep for three full days, the ON did improve but has not totally gone away. It has been a full week since I was done with the steroids, but I am still having several ON 'episodes' daily. The numbness in my feet has gotten worse as well as I am having more tingling in both of my hands, and of all things......I feel like I sat down on a "wet" bench! (my pants are dry, really!) So what is up with that? I was expecting the numbness and "wet" sensation to clear up with the steroids, but it has not. I have also had a constant, dull headache that will not go away and I am light sensitive when I am really tired.

Can someone tell me if this is something I should expect? How long should I give the steroids to do its work? Could I have just moved right into another "flair" after the ON? Is this the same "flair"? Would you call your neuro, or would you wait longer?



Secretly, my fear is that the one time I decide to not check to see if my pants are wet.....that they really will be!

[SallyC]

Sometimes the healing can take a couple of weeks, after IV steroids, so give it a little longer. Unless you think it's getting worse....then call your Neuro and holler at him..

[Snoopy]

Numbness and wet sensations are sensory symptoms. Steroids usually do not help with sensory symptoms and are not usually prescribed for them.

Hopefully you will continue to see improvement with your ON.

[PolarExpress]

If you're not sure about anything, call him..Heck, I do, and he still speaks to me .

[Erin524]

It's IV steroids? Right?

I had double vision earlier this summer, had the 3 days of IV steroids and after the big crash a day or so after the last infusion (didnt get the handy dandy nasty tasting oral taper) I started to have improvements in the vision altho the doubles didnt go away right away, just wasnt as horrible, but a bunch of my sensory symptoms cleared up fairly quickly and I enjoyed it while it lasted.

Left half of my body has been numb since the beginning of September, and when I couldnt move the left ring finger I panicked a bit (when I say "a bit", I really mean "A LOT!!". Neuro gave me a bottle of steroids and I did a taper.

Numbness didnt go away, and it got worse in my feet, but at least the pain went away for the most part, and I can move the fingers on that hand a lot easier now.

The increased numbness in my feet did get better, and now I only notice a little bit on the left side. I think the numbness is starting to get better...either that or I'm just getting used to it...(I'd rather it went away...I dont like the constant reminder that I have MS)

[NurseNancy]

hi amy,

i hope the steroids help.
i would call your neuro and tell him what you told us.
i can't hurt to call, you have nothing to lose. they will help you.

i hope you feel better.

[dmplaura]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

Numbness and wet sensations are sensory symptoms. Steroids usually do not help with sensory symptoms and are not usually prescribed for them.

Hopefully you will continue to see improvement with your ON.

This makes so much sense Snoopy. I wondered why my own sensory symptoms didn't seem to fade away after steroids. Marginally perhaps, but definitely not a reversal of them by any means.

[DizzyLizzy]

Originally Posted by Erin524

It's IV steroids? Right?

I had double vision earlier this summer, had the 3 days of IV steroids and after the big crash a day or so after the last infusion (didnt get the handy dandy nasty tasting oral taper) I started to have improvements in the vision altho the doubles didnt go away right away, just wasnt as horrible, but a bunch of my sensory symptoms cleared up fairly quickly and I enjoyed it while it lasted.

Left half of my body has been numb since the beginning of September, and when I couldnt move the left ring finger I panicked a bit (when I say "a bit", I really mean "A LOT!!". Neuro gave me a bottle of steroids and I did a taper.

Numbness didnt go away, and it got worse in my feet, but at least the pain went away for the most part, and I can move the fingers on that hand a lot easier now.

The increased numbness in my feet did get better, and now I only notice a little bit on the left side. I think the numbness is starting to get better...either that or I'm just getting used to it...(I'd rather it went away...I dont like the constant reminder that I have MS)

Actually, they were oral steroids...but I did not notice any "taste"

As an update.....my headache is getting much, much better now, the ON only seems to pop up when I get up after laying down for a while, but then goes away rather quickly. The numbness in my feet hasn't changed much, but I have had numbness since 2006...now it is only a bit worse..and still staying constant.

The feeling of "wet pants" hasn't bothered me since yesterday, so that is a relief! AND.....I am actually starting to feel pretty darn good! For the last couple of days my energy levels are alot better and I am actually able to focus on things again!

My neuro suggested that I up my daily Vitamin D to 2,000 mg per day, which I started to do two weeks ago (used to take 1,000/day).....and i'm thinking that this is also starting to help!

Being that I live up in Minnesota, we get darker earlier in the day from September - March, the Dr. said he suggests that we "northerners" should supplement their vitamin D during that time anyways.

Anyhoo.....thank you to everyone who replied to my post...I got some good and useful information! Thanks!

It is good to feel "alive" again!!

[PolarExpress]

So glad you're feeling better Amy!
My vitamin D level was a bit low, too, so tood 1000 IU's of D till the beginning of October, then was upped to 2000. I see the least amount of sun in the summer, since it's too darn hot to spend time outside..

[DizzyLizzy]

Originally Posted by PolarExpress

So glad you're feeling better Amy!
My vitamin D level was a bit low, too, so tood 1000 IU's of D till the beginning of October, then was upped to 2000. I see the least amount of sun in the summer, since it's too darn hot to spend time outside..

Me too! I'm even staying up later...in fact too late since I will be getting up for work in 5 hours, but it feels so good to have some energy and the gumption to do something other than 'work,dinner,sleep'

I don't go out in the hot weather too much either, but I can normally handle up to maybe 80 degrees if there is a breeze.

Do you come up to the cities for any of the MS Society events or seminars? It would be cool to meet you sometime.