Originally Posted by lady_express_44 (Post 406139)

I have always heard, and my neuros and doctors have fully endorsed, that "sensory" attacks would not be treated with steroids. Although these kind of attacks are relatively rare, most people I've talked to have chosen to try steriods because they "hope" they will help . . . but I have never seen the use of them change the outcome or time to recovery. For that reason, I didn't take them on the 3 occasions I've had these attacks.

Cherie

Originally Posted by lady_express_44 (Post 257650)

Steroids are used to hasten the recovery from an attack, but they do not improve the degree of recovery, and they do not prevent the next attack. I understand why some people might want to use steroids to potentially hasten the recovery, but I just do not think the side-effects outweigh the benefits, particularly for those of us with mostly spinal lesions (no scientific or anecdotal evidence that they help for us). The side effects include:

Short term use:
- allergic reaction
- insomnia
- psychiatric disturbance
- stomach upset
- fluid retention
- increased appetite
- acne
- bone damage/avascular necrosis (although rare, it can occur even after a single dose of steroids)

Long-term use:
- weight gain
- high blood pressure
- cataracts
- hardening of the arteries
- diabetes
- life threatening infections
- osteoporosis, or other bone damage

They lose their effectiveness after a while too, and I've opted to reserve them for something severe, like breathing difficulties.

Cherie