Finished my steroid treatment on Tuesday.. the spasticity in my feet have gone I have zero strength.. in fact I'm worse... numbness in my leg has increased and now I'm feeling weakness/numbness in my other arm..

I also broke out with pimples all over my chest and back and my skin hurts..having a lot of mobility problems I can't even walk a couple of feet.

Is this a side effect of the steroids?

Feeling really frustrated and scared
Cindy

Cindy

Steroids never did much for me, either. I stopped taking them after I weighed the potential harm they can do long term (liver problems plus bone density problems) - plus the immediate uncomfortable side effects (bloating, break-outs, moon-face, no sleep, anxiety) -because the flare ups I was having didn't cause any worse feelings than the ones the steroids did. They just never seemed like a worthwhile treatment to me. Doctors seem to immediately prescribe them, though. After many years of this disease I've learned to say "NO" to any treatment I don't want or feel has enough positive effects. So.....I say "no" alot!

I hope your flare up eases soon and you don't have any long term damage from it. When do you go back to the Neuro? Are you seeing one that specializes in MS?

I wish I could do more but here's a .

Steroids can cause acne.

Also they deplete potassium big time which can cause weakness.

I'd eat potassium rich foods. V8 has high potassium content.
This may help. Over 800mg a can. The low sodium one
has over 1000mg /can.

I only take them for optic nerve involvement.

I found that they are not worth the price, the risk, and they really dont do much for me. Even this last round with optic neuritis the steroids did precious little for me.

I will never do steroids again...I've been put on a cancellation list for my MS specialist.. my regular appointment is not until may.
The joint pain is agonizing so I'm just resting in bed with laptop/phone.. hubby is home helping me.. thank god!

That's too bad that it didn't work for you.. it really makes me wonder though why even take it.

MHM-

It takes time for the steroids to kick in. Someone told you in one of your threads that it would "get worse before it gets better". This is the "worse." You had a hugh dose of steroids and suddenly there are none. It takes a while to start making your own again and get used to the lower amount. It's a shock to your system.

Things should get better over the next 6 weeks.
ANN

That's what I was wondering... thanks SO much for the reassurance..I'm a pretty stubborn person so I was wanting "immediate" results..

I don't do well with steroids. They make me even more fatigued, lethargic, and weak. I never get the energy bursts that people talk about.

It does take a few weeks for the full effects of the steroids to kick in. Also, I'm under the impression that getting the steroids within the first 48 hours of the attack is the most optimal. It is my understanding that after that, the steroids aren't as effective. In your case, you were having trouble for weeks and if this is true, it may be that the steroids just aren't as effective.

Also, mrsD gave some great advice. Try some V-8 or a baked potato with the skin (which has around 1,000 mg), or even canned, condensed tomato soup. These all have more potassium in them than bananas.

Hang in there, Cindy! It will get better with time.

Thanks,

This is all new to me so I'm learning as I go.. really appreciate all the advice etc.

thanks
Cindy