Ivsm Treatment Poll
 

I would like to see how those faired with IVSM treatment. Also would like to know what symptoms were relieved, like numbness or what ever. Im scheduled to have this treatment in the next week or two so just wanted a little heads up maybe.

I voted "worked wonders" but, I could have voted for all of the first 3 based on different experiences. My very first IVSM was a miracle. I was on pulsed IVSM for about 2 years. I got a 3 day treatment every 4 months for that period of time. Results really varied, but I do credit the IVSM with giving me much of my life back.

Sx that I had which improved were spasticity, fatigue, nystagmus, strength, balance, dizziness, gait (probably tied to better balance, strength and decreased spasticity). I haven't had a lot of problems with numbness, so I can't comment on that.

I too am like Hollym. The first 3 but I would add the bottom one as well.

My last round of steroids were awful. I spent a week in bed. It increased my fatigue double fold and I was really out of it.:eek:

However, in all cases my symptoms improved within a few weeks and I felt so much better. Symptoms that I didn't know I had improved, i.e. my hearing. Imagine that. LOL.

While I don't particularly like having to do them, I know that by doing them I will feel better and my life can get back to it's new normal.

I voted for disasterous, but I should add I have only experienced one treatment (5 days in a row). It did not help alleviate my symptoms, I lost 10 pounds in that one week, and 20 pounds in the next month or so. (That might be viewed as an advantage:)) I developed an overactive thyroid problem for about 2 months, could not sleep even while taking ambien, eat, or sit still -- even though I could hardly walk. My heart rate was also accelerated for about 2 months. I also developed a horrible case of acne. So I have told my neuro no more steriods. He agrees to a point. I feel as though the use of steriods made it more difficult for me to recover from my flare. However, I have only experienced one major flare so perhaps I am wrong.

The first one worked wonders....the next two=Nada!!:)

I usually improve dramatically with IVSM, although now *IV* is not the route I use to get the *SM* into my body. I'm a "solumedrol smoothie" kind of girl;)

I'm on day two of a solumedrol smoothie protocol, and I'm happy.

When in a flare, I have balance problems, numbness, twitching, pain (like a pulled muscle - this time preventing me from straightening my rt. arm), sleeping problems, fatigue, but the biggest problem is cognitive.

If I can't think, I can't work.

Three months from now I will start taking one day of solumdrol every three months as a preventative.

One caveat I should add is that, although I have had generally good results, I am always way sicker initially following IVSM and it does take time for the benefits. The first week after any treatment is usually bad (because of the post-IVSM crash) and then I start improving. Usually the improvement is kind of gradual and within a couple of weeks I realize how much better I am feeling.

I voted did nothing. Although what it did do: made me hyper, unable to sleep, ravenous and never satisfied no matter what or how much I ate. Oh and weight gain. After the side effects resolved, I was still experiencing symptoms.

I do it because I'm just hopeful. As I last resort, I just want relief. I should say my sx are mostly sensory and never resolve completely. The only relief I get is that the side effects are so intense and overwhelming, that I forget about the MS symptoms for a couple weeks. :D


I always say, I'll never do that again, but when feeling so crummy I give in to the doctor.

:hug:

I chose "worked wonders". However each time I've had steroids I was in the midst of a bad exacerbation and I am still told I have RRMS. The one time I didn't get much relief was when I had ON, and I was told that the ON would eventually go away on it's own. I was taking the IVSM for other symptoms at the time as well as the ON, so I knew that there was a chance that the ON was going to clear on it's own.

All the best,
Chris

Well sure wish they would hurry up an schedule me, seems like so far the majority say its been good. So I cant wait. Symptoms whether its been a exacerbation or not have gone on since October. I only waited this long because too much stuff has been going on since. Now Im ready lets do it. lol