Hey all,
Recently diagnosed with ms. Have been started on 5. Day pulse therapy of 1gram solumedrol. My neuro says there is no need for weaning dose, I hear a lot of people say its needed. What should I expect without a wean dose? Any info will help I am scared out of my tree
Thanks
Chris
**

Some Neuros believe in a weaning dose to make it easier to withdraw from
the high doses of IVSM and some don't think it's necessary. I don't know
why, but I've had it both ways, in the past, and I prefer the taper.

Hope it works for you.

the first time I had IVSM, they didn't give me a oral taper to wean myself off of it. I was so sick for about a week. It really really sucked. All the other IVSM treatments I've had, I asked for the taper. It's a lot easier to deal with that way.

Thanks guys,
My neuro won't budge says no need that wean will just prolong it so I will see how I do and keep valium as my friend lol

i don't have experience with this so i can't help.

but, i want to welcome you to NT and hope you will feel better.
just monitor how you feel and keep in touch with your dr.

Thanks nurse nancy I am a nurse as well

I have never done a taper after IVSM. However, I have only done 3 days of the steroids, not 5 so maybe with 5 it makes a difference? I do know that I react differently with IV steroids vs. oral. I dont like either one but oral gives me jitters and insomnia. With that said, I'd rather not do a taper.

Good luck and I hope the steroids help you through your current flare.

I've only done 3 days of steroids two times. The first was with a taper and the second was without. I definitely prefer NO taper. Cold turkey is way better for me. I felt my body bounced back more quickly to normal (meaning minus the steroid side effects).

The taper just dragged out the inevitable. You are going from 1,000 mg (1 gram) each day down to virtually nothing. With a taper you are jumping down to 60 mg, then 50 mg, or however they taper. I found the difference between 1,000 mg and 60 mg versus 1,000 mg and 0 mg was small. That extra 60 didn't help me feel less worse coming off. So I might as well go immediately to zero.

But it's trial and error -- each body is different and no taper may be perfectly ok for you. Good luck.

I only had it via IV once and no taper was used. Wow did I have energy, yes colors were more vibrant & that taste is horrible but hey if it helps i'm in.

I take the oral 7 day? weaker dose pack a couple times per yr which actually does have a taper.

I have had the 5day roids twice - both times with no taper. It seemed to be no biggie for me. My neuro said he thinks some people's bodies need the taper and some don't. I will say that my steroid s/e went away quicker than when I had steroids for other medical reasons (where I had the taper).

Good luck wither way and I hope the steroids help you.