Neuro is starting me on "Solumedrol 1000mg IVPB over 2 hours qd 5 days" infusions tommorrow thru Sat at the hospital (can come home each day after infusins).

What do I need to know? I am a little bit freaked right now - please walk me thru this and tell me it is no big deal

Thanks
jane

You might want to ask the infusion nurse if they can slow down the IV drip.

I just had IVSM over 3 days last month. The first day they did the drip over two hours. Made me feel really really really weird...and bloated from all that fluid. I had the nurse slow the drip down when it was about halfway thru that first day. The next two days she ran it slowly...took about five hours or more for it to finish those days.

and find a hard candy that you like. Solumedrol gives you a nasty taste in the mouth. (sugarfree is the best, but if you cant find a sugarfree that you like, just make sure you brush your teeth really well after sucking on a sugary hard candy)

I got a nice green apple candy. Tasted great and hid the taste of solumedrol. Mine was the sugary kind. It was an old fasionied candy...bought it at Cabela's. brand name was Claeys.

Some people like peppermints. When I had IVSM last year, I had Altoids Cinnamon candy...which was "curiously" too strong of a flavor for me, and didnt seem to mesh as well with the solumedrol. Green apple flavor was much better this year. Next time I get IVSM or even oral steroids, I'll be stocking up on the green apple candies. I want to find the sugarfree kind tho.

I did fine with the drip at full speed. didnt notice it one bit.

CANDY! rootbeer candy or lemon candy. while the infusion is happening you will get a very metal taste in your mouth. its awful! and will taint whatever you eat.

Make sure you eat BEFORE you go. Your nasty taste buds wont allow you to eat after, and sometimes an empty tummy makes you nauseous.

Some folks get grouchy. Warn your family that you are just fighting the meds, and not them.

Some folks cant sleep. If you are one of them, as for a pill to help.

Biggest thing of all is to try to relax, calm yourself and just get from point A to point B.

Come back and let us know.

1)Drink plenty of fluids before and after infusions.
2)Bring candy as suggested...I bring cinnamon candy. It really masks the metallic taste.
3)Eat a low-sodium diet during and the day after your infusions are finished. No more than 2000mg of sodium. This will help reduce weight gain.
4)You might get a headache and have some difficulty sleeping...but I always notice a diminishment of symptoms within a day or so.

Thank you!!! I knew if I asked you all would walk me through it and set me straight

(can you tell I'm nervous?)

I just finished a five day infusion last week. I would follow everything already mentioned and also try to eat foods high in potassium like leafy green veggies. It can also cause some muslce weakness and joint pain. You may feel a little off for about a week after getting the meds. I feel like I can't think clearly. Just remind yourself that feeling a little bad for a week or two will be worth it in the long run.