I've opted out of the prednisone taper...what should I expect?
 

I'm finishing a 5 day round of IV solumedrol tomorrow and I decided not to take the 12 day prednisone taper so I'm not on steroids during my step 1 licensing exam.

Has anyone here done this? How was it? What should I expect?

I wasn't given any step down Prednisolone after my IV MethylPred, and it didn't affect me at all. I daresay, like all things about this disease, everyone will react differently, so it'll be interesting to read other replies to your question.

First time I did 5 days of IVSM and a month taper after on prednisone.

Second time (2 months later!) I did 3 days IVSM and no taper. I've not had to have IVSM or prednisone since. That was over a year ago.

I hated the prednisone. The IVSM is no walk in the park either, but the prednisone was dreadful (side effects).

I also hated the oral cortisone because of all the side effects, but I really didn't suffer any at all when I had it IV. From what I read here about how others suffer, it appears that I came off lightly.

Biogirl7,
I don't do an oral taper after the IVSM. My MS Neuro says you don't need them, you've just had enough high-dose steroids. You're body will taper down itself, she said. Also she won't give me steroids again, of any kind, for at least until 6 more months have passed.

She says the bodies own cortisol will kick in, this way you won't get Cushing's Syndrome symptoms from taking steroids too long. She gives this time for the current dose a chance to work. Sometimes it works right away, other times it gradually heals you. We are all different.

It takes the inflammation away from around the lesions. This is why the MRI may not show any more enhancement. It is the fluid around the lesion that enhances, because it came to aid the lesionit (like an injured knee or ankle will swell with fluid).

Calming and eliminating the inflammation, helps the relapse to heal and go away faster. Less damage in done to the lesion.

I hope your tests go well. You shouldn't have a problem without the taper. You will sleep better and be test ready, without more steroids.

I don't do a taper anymore, either. I did once and it seemed to prolong the side effects. I would rather just crash for a day and get on with it.

Be sure you are well hydrated. Also be sure to get lots of potassium because the IVSM kind of depletes you. An MS nurse clued me into that and it has helped so much. I don't like bananas so I did some research and found canteloupe and apricots to be very high in potassium. I also found V8 with Calcium (it has to be this version to get the most potassium) to be way high in potassium.

I just finished my last day of IV roids today too. I don't take step downs either. I think it a lot easier, than dealing with the side effects of all those prednisone pills. The day after my last nfusion is always the hardest. Feel like I got run over by a mac track. But then it is over and the step downs just used to prolong the agony. Hope you do well!!