Hi everyone. I normally have iv steroids if needed but my Neurologist has prescribed me
500mg Methylprednisolone oral steroids for five days. I would just like to hear anyone who has had these.
Thanks in anticipation
Mary
Had both. Given a choice I would opt for IV.
The oral ones taste absolutely foul - no matter how fast you swallow them.
You need something strong-tasting right afterward.
You will also need an Omeprazole capsule every day, and for up to two weeks afterward to avoid terrible stomach cramps.
Geoff
Thanks Geoff. My neuro is keen to give me the oral ones this time. Nothing beats a try and if they don’t work I will ask for iv next time.
Mary
Mary,
I had them orally a couple of years back, five days of 500mg, and they worked a treat. The side effects weren’t too bad, building slowly and ending rather abruptly about two days after finishing the course. I had a small arsenal of remedies to hand, but only recall taking Omeprazol, which did its job. I think I had an easy ride, however, it’s clearly different for each of us, so be prepared.
I would take them again, if needed.
Ben
I had them orally six weeks ago for a bout of optic neuritis.I had loads of tests at the infirmary before i was to go on infusion with overnight stay to moniter me.However, a shortage of beds meant i had the tablet form over five days.On the day after i finished the course i had an heart attack.They did a good job on my eye though.
Definitely take Omeprazole whilst on oral steroids. You will still get the nasty metallic taste in your mouth. Try taking them with milk rather than water, it helps to get them down. Mints help to change the taste in your mouth through the day. By evening the taste should be better. You are likely to have trouble sleeping after the first day or so. This plus the edginess people experience can make you tetchy, if not downright bad tempered. Some people also experience some depression after them (obviously many of these side effects also apply to IV steroids).
Feel free to post on here if you suffer any mood swings or other bad effects whilst on the steroids. There are many of us who’ve taken them and we’ll try to help if we can.
Sue
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I have had both & given the choice I would do IV - the tablets tasted that bad - As there were so many I didnt really want my kids to see me but after taking the first one it was SO horrible that went out the window - as I was convinced I was going to throw up & had to make a dash for the loo.
I then resorted to hiding them in a raisin & throwing them down my mouth ( like you do when you have to give tablets to animals.)
That worked !
K
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Other people have said before now they’ll swallow them with a spoonful of yogurt. But I definitely like the idea of hiding them in a raisin. Next time (if I ever decide to take them again - I had such a horrible time last time) I will do exactly that.
And I forgot to say on my earlier reply, a post steroid effect is usually feeling bruised, I’ve likened it in the past to being kicked all over!
Sue
Thank you everyone for feedback. Can’t start them until 27th of May because I am just getting over pleurisy.
Will post on how I get on, curious to see how they compare to iv.
Mary