Hi everyone, I’m having a relapse, the first since I was diagnosed about a year ago. I’m waiting to go on meds- long story - and this is the first time that I’ve been given steroids - menthylprednisollone 500mgs a day. My ms nurse is brilliant and has given me all the info pros and cons, but I wondered if other people had taken them and what there exp was like. I just tried to walk to my doc surgery from my car, which was about 20meters and ended up in floods of tears. I thought I would be able to go back to work on Monday but don’t think I will make it. This is the first time my legs have been affected (the right leg) the last two time it was speech cognitive and right arm and hand. Feeling really fed up and tearful. Sorry to go on I know there are much worse things in life and generally I deal with it, but not today…
Hi Bluebell,
Sorry that you are feeling poorly at the mo-it’s horrible when you have a relapse. I have had the steroids you have been prescribed three times and they helped me recover from my relapses. You have to take 5 tablets each morning one after the other. I took mine at breakfast time. You should also have been prescribed omeprazole to help prevent any stomach acid problems which you should take whilst on your course of steroids. I think I took them for a further 2 weeks. The first time I had steroids I had no side effects. The second time they prevented me from sleeping at bed time-I think I got about 2 hours sleep whilst I was on them but after I had finished the course my sleeping pattern went back to normal. I also got some spots on my face similar to acne spots but again they didn’t last long. I took it easy after having the steroids and had some time off work to rest and let them work. After about 2-3 weeks I was feeling much better and the symptoms I was experiencing really improved but I know for some people it can take at least 6 weeks before they notice any improvement.
Try not to stress(I know easier said than done) and take it as easy as you can. Hope you will soon be feeling better.
Cathy x
Thanks Cathy, just reading your message has made me feel a lot better. Doc has not per scribed me anything else and it’s taken 4 days to get the prescription, at first he prescribed me 5mg and although me consultant had written a letter the doc thought it was an error. I don’t think he’s had anyone with MS before. Last year it took me 6 to 8 months to recover and am left with some disability in my hand. I’ve applying for a blue badge - do u have one? Thanks again xxx
Hi again,
No I don’t have a blue badge-I can walk pretty well most of the time but will consider it if I feel the time is right.They are very useful. My doc also doesn’t know much about MS, so anything MS related I phone my mS nurse who is very good. I am RRMS and have been on Copaxone DMD since Sept- was previously on Rebif. The first time I took steroids I wasn’t prescribed the omeprazole but the other two times I was.
Take care, pm me anytime I have had MS for 16 years but touch wood I am doing ok.
Cathy x
Hi Bluebell love your Avitar used to live in Bluebell wood!!! Really!!! Sos you feeling c*** babe. It will pass, just been “upgraded” so to speak, SPMS, mad as hell!!! No reason you shouldn t get though this hun. Docs dont really Know what you going through MS team better bet!!! Hope you feel better soon Tracey xx
Hi Bluebell
Blue Badges - what you need to know:
1 - Your application goes to a central office. They send it on to your local authority, who make the decision. they then pass it back to the central office to issue the badge. Different authorities have different ways of collecting the cash (currently £10).
2 - You will need to prove that you are who you say you are. Get yourself sorted out with a scan of each of:
Passport
Local authority bill or utility bill (or similar)
Passport photo.
If you want to apply online, you will need to be able to attach each of these to the application.
3 - Download the form, and fill it in in pencil. There are no trick questions, but the same question is asked in more than one way. Then you can fill it in online.
4 - The big criterion is how far you can walk without support (or rest, etc). Put down your worst day, not an average one. It seems that 10 metres or less is a good answer if you want that badge. Don’t say that on a good day you can manage 100 metres.
There are maybe a couple of other tricks, but these are best left to a PM, so PM me if you want to.
From your username, are you anywhere near Bluebell Hill?
Geoff
Thank you for your helpful comments. I always feel better when people understand what I’m talking about 
And yes Geoff am near bluebell hill, maidstone are you? My partner went to get my steroids and doc had prescribed 1 days worth??? 5 x 100mg was all I got. I thought it was 5 days that i have to take it. I think there has been an error. We rang meddoc up and they said they can’t do anything unless they have a note from my ms nurse or consultant, which it appears I don’t. My doc first prescribed me 8 x 5 mg. it’s taken a week to get this far. perhaps it’s not too be?..I think somebody is trying to tell me something?
Hello all… I got told Today im having a relapse. My ms team has put me on a steriod. For 5 days… My whole right side has gone numb… I am totally gutted… I got told After two years i have rrms, still find its very had to take it all in. I now feel its time. That i find friends that are in the same boat as i feel no one understand show i really feel…
Hope u ok Kellibean, I understand … Message me anytime x
Hi Bluebell.
Sorry, not from Maidstone. Grew up in Otford, went to school in Maidstone ('48-'53), worked in Maidstone ('53-'60) went into the Army for over three years, and never settled back in Kent. But I have been up and down Bluebell Hill a few times, and Detling Hill a few times, and most of the other hills in Kent a few times.
Doubt I will ever see Kent again - thanks to the MonSter.
Hope you get the Blue Badge sorted.
Geoff