Giving In
 

Well, I am giving in. My neuro wants me to have the steroid treatment. I am always so reluctant to call her. I never like to complain but I have been out of work for a week (feeling like crap for a month) and there has been no improvement yet. I guess I need to do this.

I just don't like to be out of work for so long. I am the only one who does my job so everything just sits at my desk, waiting for me to come back. With the steroids I will be out for at least 3 weeks (I do the 9 day IV).

I am feeling a little depressed I guess. I was feeling so good for so long and now this d*** disease is biting me again! Ugh!! Why??? Sorry for the pity party, I guess I just needed to vent. There are others that are dealing with a whole lot more than I am.

Thanks for listening!:o

Vent away, Girlie, when you're the one living it, it's bad enough. No matter what happens to us, there is always someone who has it worse— that doesn't make your experience any easier or less of an impact.

Please don't think of getting the meds you need as "giving in", think of it as taking action!

Can you work out of the office? It's no fun to haul a full briefcase around, but if you can at least stay a little caught-up, the return will be easier.

It's hard, but you'll make it!:hug:

I would love to work at home. I have mentioned it before, the last time I had the IV. But the problem is I am in the union, so I don't think they would let me that easily. My boss would love to have me work at home but the union is hard to deal with. If they let me then they would have to let others.

Thanks for reminding me that I am taking action! I need to put that up somewhere so I don't feel like this again. It is a good saying and a good way to think of the steroids. I always feel like I am weak because I have to have them. But in reality I am strong because I am fighting this thing! Thanks AMN!!!!!!:hug:

Thanks Baxter!!!! Yes, my insurance pays for the home nurse too. She will come the first day, after I get my midline placed, and will show me what to do. Then I will be on my own to do it myself. She will come the last day to take out the midline, and she will be available to come whenever I need her.

I am going to talk to the boss and see what they can do. Even if it is just a little work from the house.

How are you feeling after your round?

Girlie, I can totally relate to what you are going through. I just went through the same emotional crap. You feel so good for so long, think all is going well and life will get back to normal then BAM! :Bang-Head: you're hit with an exacerbation and your down for a bit.

I am glad that you will be starting the steroids and hope it goes well. If you can find away to work a bit from home that would be great. It certainly would help with the work related stress levels as you can stay somewhat caught up and won't get slammed when you get back to the office.

Let us know how you are doing.

I will, thank you for caring!

i am with tk on that total blind side, sometimes. I hope the roids help you girlie girl, its just a shame all these diff meds hit us all diff, so like i said I hope they work for you and get you back to feeling better real soon, hang in there:hug:

Thanks so much Frank! I am hoping they help out. :o

I hope the steroids help.....they can be rough on the tummy so make sure to take them with food. And a few Tums wouldn't hurt, either!!

You're taking an active role in your healthcare - that's great! Giving in would be "giving up" to this disease and nobody wants to do that!! Be gentle with yourself - we tend to beat up on ourselves the hardest and with the least need.

You're doing the right thing. Good luck!! :hug:

Hi Girl,
 

I can't take steroids due to eye complications, so don't know what that is like. But I like the idea of by taking them you are being proactive! There are so many smart folks here at NT. Ya gotta love 'em! :grouphug:

I just sent a prayer up to the big guy for you! Let us know how things are working for you. I hope the union will work with you to work out of home for a while... that would be ideal, as long as you could get the rest you need at the same time.

TAKE CARE OF YOU!!!! :hug:
~A FRIEND

Hey Girlie Girl.... I am glad you are finally getting some help, you have been suffering long enough but I have already told you that.

Vent away.... I have been doing it for weeks!

:hug:

Everyone has given you good advice. The only thing I have is to wish you well and applaud you for being proactive and TAKE something for your stomach!

Let us know how it goes!!:)

O.K., here's my suggestion...

When I need steriods now, I ALWAYS take them as a "solumedrol-smoothie".

It's something that was first offered to me by the MS center at UCSF.

It worked so well, that when I needed more steroids, I convinced my neuro to do some research on it. Sure enough, the next day I got the call saying he had contacted the compounding pharmacy and I would be able to pick up my solumedrol.

It's the same medication that is in your IV, but it's in a powdered form (hasn't been reconstituted).

I open the glass vile, pour it into orange juice, add sugar AND splenda to it....and gag it down!

It's the most VILE tasting stuff you've ever had...BUT it's worth it 'cause you don't have to miss work. You don't have to sit at a hospital while the IV drips in your arm. It takes all of about 10 minutes and you're done.

As bad as it tastes, I would NEVER do the IV again unless I just couldn't get the solumedrol any other way.

The only down side is that the only compounding pharmacy in town doesn't take my insurance, so I have to pay cash and submit to the insurance after.

But three days of solumedrol still only costs $100. And my insurance reimburses me within a week...it's just an inconvenience.

P.S. If you do it, just make sure you get a prescription for 1 gram. The first time I did it, the prescription was written for only 500mg x three days, and two weeks later I was still suffering with the exacerbation.

The neuro wrote another prescription for 1 gram x three days and by the second day I was good to go :-)

Good Luck Tomorrow - I will be thinking of you.... :hug:

Wishing you all the best, beautiful. (((GirlieGirl)))

Moose didn't do the 'roids. (Not even for the gym). My first neuro decided against it. I think it was because I was up front with him and told him I was a worthless drunk. (Other people call it 'alcoholic'.)

Just do your best to relax, remained prepared for what's next, and realize this is a treatment meant to add more soilders to the fight.:D

Thanks so much All!

Moose you are the strongest person I've met, not worthless in the least!!! You give me inspiration!

I am on day 4 of the IV. Things are getting better already. I am in the "loopy" stage right now of the roids. This is my 3rd time doing the IV. I do like the drip. Neuro likes it because I don't pee most of it out. It is a long day but who doesn't need to take a well deserved break every once in a while. Even if it does mean you have to stay out of work. Work is just work and will be there when I get back.

Thanks everyone for your kind words and your support. This place rocks!!!!

Im glad you are feeling a little better. Maybe you should just sit back
and "enjoy" the loopy stage. lol I hope the roids continue to
do the trick for you.

:hug:s from MASSSACHUSETTS:)

I'm all for anything that will help beat down the inflammation that is going on in our poor brains so count me in on the steroids when necessary. Hope you continue to feel better.

Glad you checked in.... Day 4 so you are almost 1/2 way through.... thinking of you!

BTW - you are a very strong person yourself! ;)

hi. hey, i could call you GiGi for short :D

i agree with cindy that you're taking + action and moving forward.
you have control of the MS.

whenever i'm in turmoil, as soon as i quit panicking and make a plan of action, i'm in control of myself and my destiny. it's a good feeling.

i hope you do better day by day and return to work soon.

I can feel the hugs coming from down the road. Thanks Sox!:hug:

Thanks Yeahbut! Day 5 so I am half way there. I am feeling better sx wise. The loopyness is fun. But then the lithium takes that fun away. I am telling you there is so much happening inside. It is crazy how to explain it to others who haven't been through it.

You guys are all so great! Thanks for being there for me (that is the sappy side of me coming out) Love you all! :grouphug:

Thanks Nancy! GiGi is fine with me! I am doing much better. I am hoping to be back to work late next week.

I'm glad you're feeling better. I've done the steroids before and they do help a lot. Some people have no side effects from them and then others have a bunch. It's all individual...sorta like MS! :)

Thanks Kitty! My stomach is so bloated!!!! But that seems to be the only side effect right now. I can keep up with my 11 yo son in the "tooting" competition right now! It is now payback for him for all the "noises" he has graciously sent me :p

I am so glad you are doing better! I have been worried about ya! You just rest and take your time - take care of you!!

have you heard that some place before? :rolleyes:

:hug:

It does sound a little familiar :rolleyes: Thanks for your concern Chica!

Your welcome - glad to return your concern!! ;)

Bless ya, lil GG!

I can barely make it through three days of IVSM, nevermind FIVE! I am up for days, majorly constipated and could snap people's heads off for something as small as squeezing the tube of toothpaste crooked! The bloat isn't even the word for what happens to me. They could use ME in the Pink Floyd shows...:p

Rest, relax and recharge!:hug:

Thanks River! I have 3 more days left!!!! Yipee! I am only on the 3hr drip now for the last 3. That is a huge improvement from 8 hrs!

I guess I have been pretty lucky with the biting heads off. The doc warned SO that I will be nasty but I really haven't been. I have noticed being very emotional with DS. That is a whole nother issue that I am dealing with lately. Gotta love the preteen years and divorce!

It would be an interesting show with us there using our "vocals" :sing: from both ends ....tehehe!