A month ago, my second attack started (misalignment of the eyes). The doctor advised me to take Solumedrol 1000mg (IV steroids for 5 days). A couple of minutes after inserting the cannula in my arm, I gradually became lightheaded and almost fainted (I can hear people but I can’t move or speak. I couldn’t see well too as there was something like white light). Then, I lost consciousness for a couple of minutes too. After waking up, my hands where temporarily pearlized and I couldn’t move them for 5 - 10 minutes.
In my first attack, exactly the same symptoms happened while inserting the cannula to take IV steroids too.
Why does this happen? and how to prevent it in case of there is another attacks?
People say that I was nervous but I wasn’t that nervous. I think it was the normal natural worry. I’m male, 25 years old.
One more question please, the doctor said that I should take the solution slowly during 3 hours. For me, sometimes it take 2.5 hours and sometimes 4 hours. Will that make a difference? If I can’t adjust 3 hours exactly, Is it better to take it longer or shorter than 3 hours?
Thank you so much, I wish you a happy day 
Good luck.
Hello
Your question is slightly strange. Generally in the U.K., IV steroids are given in a hospital setting with a nurse a) inserting the cannula, and b) arranging the dose according to the time the doctor has prescribed.
You seem to be asking about self cannulation and dosing. This is something I would be asking advice from the doctor or nurse about.
In particular, your reaction to the cannula. You really should be asking for professional medical advice as your reactions are completely unknown to me but as they are so extreme, medical advice is necessary (in my opinion).
Best of luck.
Sue
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Thank you so much for the reply. I live in Egypt and here you can bring a nurse at home as I live near a hospital. She just make a quick visit every day to prepare the solution and connect it to my body. She taught my family how to disconnect after emptying the medicine and how to adjust the speed. Sometimes, the speed decreases automatically so I adjust it trying to keep the 3 hours. other times, I feel a significant increase in my heart rate so I decrease the speed just to have a little rest. That’s why I would like to know if it’s okay to slow it down to have a good heart rate (4 hours). Thanks for the reply again. I’ll ask a doctor since my reaction to the cannula is not common.
That’s one heck of a lot of steroid in a very short time. So suspect that was your problem. I’m sure the IV is meant to run for many hours not just 3. So you need to do some checking and find out what speed it needs to go in.
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I think that’s the usual dose of IV steroids - 1000mg. In my recollection, the dose was always given in about an hour though, so I doubt there’d commonly be such an extreme reaction. See https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/steroids-methylprednisolone for info about dosage of both oral & IV steroids.
Sue
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Thanks everyone for the info