Alternatives to steriods?
 

Are there any? I've been having some vision and increase of leg symptoms, I know I should call the neuro, but at the same time would hate to waste the $60 copay to be told there's nothing they can do for me.

The problem: I'm allergic to cortisone and by so cortical steriods. Likewise, I'm allergic to allergy medications. No Benadryl for me, nor any other anti-histamine. So the doctors can even treat an allergic reaction if I have one. Fun! Honestly I'm quite thankful that I have very few food allergies and aside from rum it's all food that I don't like anyways, like shrimp (yuck) and lobster (yelck)

But it does create a major problem when I'm allergic to medications, which thus far is cortisone, cortical steriods, the entire local anesthetic family, and anti-histamine group. If I need stitches, I get to grin and bear it, ditto for dental work less the grinning part:p.

Are there alternatives to treating exasperations aside from steriods? Or is this just another thing that the body has to get used to, grin and bear it till it passes or I get used to it?

What do your Docs/Scientists say?

Hope you find something safe for you.:hug:

Hi Starznight,

The only thing for the treatment of an exacerbation (relapse, attack, flare-up) are steroids. :(

On a positive note; exacerbations can resolve on their own. Steroids might help the exacerbation resolve quicker...but not always.

I have had 5 exacerbations and only used steroids twice.

I am guessing Acthar Gel is in the same category of the other medications you mentioned but it is used for exacerbations, although it is pricey.
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Tre...P-Acthar%C2%AE

In the past, I've heard that some did somewhat well on Anti Virals?:hug:

would plasmapheresis help?

I'll definitely have to call the neuro to ask about both the anti-viral and plasmapheresis. Honestly the plasmapheresis, though it sounds expensive, likewise sounds like my best bet, since how can I be allergic to myself? It's really tricky having somewhat unusual drug allergies especially when they knock out a whole family of treatments.

Cortisone is by far the strangest allergy according to most of my doctors and nurses who wonder how someone can even be allergic to it. It'd be like having an allergy to protein. It exists in the body, is created by the body...yet allergic all the same... :D and just the plain old irony of an allergy to allergy medication LOL love watching newbie nurses and doctors try to wrap their heads around that.

maybe you're not allergic to the actual cortisone, but to one of the compounds that they probably mix it with in order to make it an injectible/IV medication?

And maybe if you're also allergic to oral cortisone, again, maybe there's a compound in that you're reacting to?

Gosh Starz! You're in a difficult situation in regards to being allergic to antihistamines and steroids. Hopefully, you never experience a severe allergic reaction to anything. Erin brings up a good point. Sometimes it's the fillers that were sensitive or allergic to and not necessarily the medication.

There are natural anti-inflammatories that may help some but I don't think the result will be as big as with steroids. I do know that anthocyanins found in berries (blueberries) and cherries have strong anti-inflammatory properties and can be just as effective as taking an aspirin or ibuprofen. I was researching this for all of my joint issues and some of the studies sound promising.

Some neuros don't use steroids to treat a flare unless it involves the eyes or the flare is severe (been there and spend some time in the hospital with that one). I actually have had more flares that were not treated with steroids than treated with steroids. My neuro does not treat spinal flares with steroids and just offers symptom management.

I think you best option is to discuss this with your neuro and if you do decide to try the IVSM, then request to be admitted to do so given your history. Let us know how you are doing.:hug:

That certainly is a tough challenge.
I too am sensitive and allergic to a lot of meds, especially IV and injected ones. Steroids aren't for me either but I do tolerate cortisone injected into problematic joints.

For symptom control, I can use Diclofenac compound topically to control localized inflammation and pain, so that might be worth a try.
Ibuprofen, Epsom salt baths, Baclofen are other symptom controllers that might work for you.

Hoping that you find something that eases things for you.

With love, Erika

There is some debate between doctors as to calling the reaction to cortisone as an 'allergy' it's not the binders in the medication, it is the actual cortisone that my body can't handle. They go with 'allergy' because I have kind of the reverse of addisons might be the way to phrase it. My body over produces cortisone so injection or oral medication raises the levels too much for my body to handle.

Since the reaction can cut off my airway (and potential do even more harm to my body than simply killing me quickly...) they've gone with "allergic". Instead of reducing inflammation, my poor body fairly explodes with inflammation. Last time I got a shot of it in my left hand, I spent twelve hours in excuriating pain, fighting just to breathe and blacking out frequently. Kind of coming to long enough to realize I couldn't scream because of the lock jaw caused by swelling and blacking back out again.

Wasn't fun... And I wasn't at and couldn't get to a hospital. Couldn't even have called 911 in the state I was in. Went from thinking I was going to die to praying I was going to die to cursing that I wasn't dead... But I survived, only a bit more worse for wear. But it was my own stupidity, I had a bad, granted not as bad, reaction to cortisone before, and argued with the doctor about getting another shot, but I was desperate to regain my left hand since I'm a lefty. So shame on me, but never ever again LOL. :p I only wish the reaction had been instant, then the doctor could have seen what I was talking about....but nooooo... It had to wait two hours to start.