I may have spelled that wrong, but it is an infusible steriod and the infusion nurse called it a "jacked up" prednisone. Supposedly, it doesn't carry some of the worst side affects of prednisone - moon face, weight gain (I've gained 8 lbs in the last 4 weeks and 15 pounds over the last 3 months) and since it is stronger than prednisone, it may work better for the double vision.

I've been on 60 mg of prednisone for the last 3 1/2 months for double vision and it has helped somewhat. I now get about 15-20 minutes when I first wake up where my eyes actually work, then they go "wonky" (technical term) again. I have to wear an eye patch to drive or work or any time I really want to see.

My question is, has anyone here ever used solumedrol? If so, how did it work for you and what was the process?

Thanks for the help!

When I was hospitalized back in November for a crisis I was given this drug via an IV. My really, really bad double vision and breathing problems had not responded to 80mg of Prednisone (pill), so doc put me in the hospital to administer heavy steroids by IV. He knew my blood sugar would spike so wanted me monitored. The first night I had 500mg of Solumedrol in an IV drip. The next day I had 100mg four times injected into my IV line. After 3 days I got worse so he cut back to 40mg daily in pill form and I had a series of plasma exchanges. I didn't gain any weight (actually lost), but I try to adhere to a strict diet of low salt, low sugar, and low fat. The low salt is key when taking Prednisone.

I'm now down to 5mg of Prednisone and hoping to get off it in the next month or so.

When I have IVIG, which I just had last week. They run solumedrol through before they start the IVIG. The dr said that it is used to help the process of IVIG along.

I just got off of prednisone after being on it for a year. So I know all about the weight gain.