Sorry to hear of the flare. It sounds like one to me!

I hate doing steroids as well because of their negative side effects so I will recommend this to you...
Acthar Gel.
Its a shot you give yourself 5 days in a row once a day. Its not synthetic steroids, but it does stimulate your hormone that produces natural steroids.

I was in a flare (pretty sure I still am) the first of March and was put on Acthar Gel on 3-18-11

Within the first 6 hours I was able to walk without holding the walls and the spasticity in my back calmed down immensely. I still can't feel my hands, so I don't know if I am still in the flare or if this is just a semi-permanent symptom.

Acthar is $25,000 for the little bottle of it, but there's an assistance program that will help cover what your insurance won't. Hope this helps some and you get to feeling better soon!