Yuck! New Relapse
 

I've known a relapse has been coming for the last several weeks. But...since I love denial, I've been putting off doing anything. :rolleyes:

I have MS & Systemic Sarcoidosis. My MS stays pretty steady until the Sarc starts acting up, then the MS symptoms flare like crazy. It's finally bad enough (cog problems, loss of use on the right side, eye problems, blah, blah blah) & my daughter has nagged me enough, that I started Prednisone today. The good news with the Sarc is I don't need the IVSM, just Prednisone, to get me back in my feet. The bad news is that I think Prednisone is going to kill me! *dramatized for effect*

I've started having really bad side effects from the steroids. Called my PCP yesterday because we had talked about preventing the side effects before they happened. Well, she said, call me with your blood sugar numbers & other problems next week & we will be able to help. I tried to tell her that the effects are immediate but of course, she said it took a couple of days.

So, here I sit after starting the Prednisone this morning with my blood sugar already over 300, having breathing problems & sweating like a pro wrestler. It's so cold in my house, my dog's teeth are chattering & I'm still soaked! :Sinking:

I've already taken 2 metformin (for diabetes control), am drinking lots of water & being really strict with what I eat. Does anybody have any other ideas? HELP!

Hi Michelle
I'm sorry you're feeling so crummy. I find with the 'roids, I'm extremely warm/hot and I'm usually a freeze baby. Maybe a cool shower would help.

As to your blood sugar, I ask my Dad who has diabetes. He says you're doing the right thing, keep a close eye on it and to call your doctor. If it gets up to the 500 range then it's getting to serious territory.

I'm not sure I was much help, but just want you to know you are not alone.

:hug:

Lots of help, Beth! Thank you so much for asking your Dad. I feel better, at least now, I know I'm not in trouble until I get a higher number. I can live with being uncomfortable.

Really....I'm not as anxious as I was since I know I'm not dieing. ;) I'll just put a blanket on my dog & hang in there a few more days.

:Thanx:

i was going to say go to the ER.
i really don't know how high your BS would have to be to be concerning.
to me 300 is pretty high.

especially keep tabs on your mood too.

your pcp doesn't sound concerned enuf about your SE's.
if you say, and can document, that you're having them...who is she to say it should take 48 hrs????

are you sure you want to keep this dr? that really makes me mad for you.
how about trying to call your neuro?

hope you're ok over the wk/e. please let us know.

You are welcome. After replying to you, Dad suggested to check your local phone book. Most big hospitals have a number for a nurse to call (ex: Ask A Nurse) with health concerns.

I thought 300 was high. Also, be on the alert for increased thirst and more cog fog type sx. Everyone is different, if you aren't sure head to the ER.

Take care.
:hug:

Sorry to learn this, Michelle. :( Any chance of sleeping through it? I sure hope you'll feel better soon and I agree with the others, please don't put off calling the doc if you feel you might need to. Keep us posted, okay?

I'm so sorry, Michelle. :( I don't think I like your Doc.:mad:

If things get bad for you, please go to the ER.

I hope you feel better soon..:hug:

Michelle,

:hug:

Good grief, if I had half a brain I wouldn't ask about updates when someone does them less than 3 hours earlier.

I need to go to bed.


Hope you're feeling better, girlie.

Hi Michelle,

Sorry you're having to go through this! :( At first, I thought you wrote that your blood pressure was over 300. :eek: I was going to type all caps for you to call 9-1-1 immediately! :o

Anyway, when on steroids, my blood pressure and my blood sugar go sky high. They had to give me insulin shots the last time while I was in the hospital for infusions, then my eyes were fuzzy for a few weeks following, I'm assuming from the blood sugar.

What I did was avoid all sugar and most starches. That controlled it pretty well during the prednisone taper. I really sympathize with you, I can't stand steroids.

As the others have said, call the doctor if you start feeling bad. :hug:

Thanks everyone!!!! Thank God for the Internet. I looked up Metformin, which I keep on hand for when I'm on steroids. I've been on the lowest dose & WebMD said you can take as much as 2000 mg a day. So, I've taken 1500 mg today & am starting to feel better. My blood sugar is down to 175, the sweating is easing up & I can breath again. *whew*

Yeah, I'm not too impressed with my new Doc either. Don't you sometimes you just feel like you know more than they do?! I knew this was going to happen. :rolleyes:

Thanks again everyone. :grouphug: I pretty sure I'll make it through the night & if I get worse tomorrow, I'll head to an urgent care center or ER.

Glad you were feeling a little better early this morning Michele! That sounds scary. Take good care of you.:hug:

Hey there, kinch
No advice but checking in to say "hi" and "CRAP, @&%$ this stupid disease" on your behalf, my friend. Glad you don't have to go the IVSM route; not having chosen steroids yet, I only know from the board what a bugger they can be but I'm scared about 'em and a TOTAL pansy to boot.
Small mercy but, you've obviously still got your way with words and that 'take no prisoners' sense of humor.

Thinking of you!!!
oxoxo
becca

yeppers...

amen there, Kinch!

hope you're feeling better by now.

:hug:

Guess I'm a little late on this one but I hope things don't get worse and the increase in Metformin helps :hug:
I'm not too impressed with your doctor either, Michelle - :holysheep:

I am one of those that absolutely hates to ask for help, it's one of my weaknesses. You know, alway have to be the tough one! :Hum: But, I've gotta tell you guys how thankful I am that you are here!

You ALL helped me so much. I need the steroids every 3 to 4 months to keep functioning & it has been getting harder & harder to take them. After Beth talked to her Father, I figured I wasn't going to die & I could do something.

Since then I'm taking the max dosage that the manufacturer recommends of Metformin (for the steroid induced diabetes) & this is the best I've felt on steroids in a couple of years. I'll be sure to thank my doctor for her help (she says sarcastically) at my next visit. I'm also going to tell her you guys are smarter than she is!!!!

Now, if I can just keep my temper in tact for the next couple of weeks, all will be good! I can get a little 'roid annoyed & mean on this stuff! :Poke:

BTW, Michelle, who is that beautiful Gerber Baby, in your Avatar?:hug:

I love the phrase "roid annoyed" much more fitting for me than roid rage, too.

Glad the fine folks here have helped you with this - too bad your new doc isn't as efficient.

Hang in there my atypical friend.

Methinks that's her grandbaby. :)

You are so right! That's my handsome little man. :D Talk about a proud Grandma, it's embarrassing. I even keep a photo book in my purse! :circlelove: I am so not the sappy type but I've become a little ridiculous! LOL

As I have too. I was never the "want to see pictures of my kids" person, but with the grandkids.... well, you ain't a gonna stop me! :D

Gotta love 'em.