Oral Steroids - Side Effects

Hi,

I’ve just completed my first ever course of oral steroids to treat a relapse. I managed fine with them and they seemed to do the trick with my physical symptoms but I feel like i’m left with a bit of a “hangover from them”

I was prepared for how vile they tasted but i finished my course 3 days ago and noticed in the last couple of days that mt sense of tatse is “off” Is this a nomal reaction and if so does it pass?

Also noticed im not sleeping. I remember reading this was a possible side-effect but again is this normal a few days after the course? And does it pass (havent enjoyed being up at the crack of dawn all weekend - its bad enough during the working week)

Thanks for reading

All normal reactions and all should pass. Try not to worry. At least it is light in the mornings, my last lot were in the winter and being up stupidly early when it was pitch black outside was horrible.

my neuro refused to give me oral steroids with both my relapses despite me asking for them directly. I should have tryed my gp as she usualy gives me what ever i ask for.

Hi

I am going into the 4th week of my relapse and my MS nurse has just contacted me! she asked me to go to the relapse clinic at the hospital on Tuesday and she has said they will put me on a course of steroids.I was wondering about the side effects.

My relapse started with stabbing pains down the side of my head/face on the right side and then head, neck, arms and leg went numb with horrid pins and needles sensation, I can’t use my hand, my legs feel like lead and I have no enery or balance. I went to my GP first who said he would contact my MS nurse, it takes so long to see anybody.

I hope your sleeping pattern returns and your taste buds soon.

Take very good care

Jacquie.

H i

I’ve also just finished a 5 day course of steriods for a drop foot I took 3 months ago, the paralyzis of my foot was resolved before I took them, Im just not walking properly leg feels a bit jerky and shaky does this ever improve do you think now Im finished the steroids or is this as good as it gets…leg muscles a bit weak wonder if physio would help?

Do the steroids keep working when you finish the course or is that it, regarding the improvement now theyre finished?

And by the way they taste vile yuk!!

Thanks Emma

Hoovering at 03:00 can be a side effect of 'roids.The little Methyl Pred tablets are coated,so if they are knocked back quickly enough there is no taste.I now have MEDRON which are super strong and uncoated. I take a very small dose for 3-4 days when I have more pain,blah blah.

After three years of asking I have enough to apply them as I see fit. The medron are scored so I break them into quarters and put a bit into a GABAPENTIN capsule which I open,knock a bit of the powder out then put back together.I take 3-4 gabapentin every day,but only take two of ‘the special ones’ a day. when I see fit.

The humidity really affects me badly ,so I am having some ‘special gabapentin’ at the moment. If I didn’t, I’d keep getting worse even when the weather improves.My GP is a prince and he also supplies OMEPRAZOLE which stops any heartburn from the 'roids and is a good idea if you take loads of pills

The following are side effects which MIGHT be caused by 'roids and have bothered me occasionally;

Hunger followed by bulk intake of wine gums

Brittle finger nails

Oral thrush,‘Cacky mouth’

Writing stuff on here

Reading the guidance notes

Wb

Forgot to mention fluid retention around the ankles,but as it doesn’t hurt and I put the stilettos away years ago,I keep my good eye on it and 2-3 days after I stop the Medron they go back to my version of normal.

Wb

My neuro has prescribed Zopiclone as a sleeping tablet to go with the steroids, which really helps. I’m now a firm believer in taking steroids as quickly as possible after an attack. My GP has prescribed me some spares. I haven’t set seen my neuro to discuss this with him but interested to see what he will say…

Yes, they do keep working (and you keep on healing) and no, you should not assume that you will not keep on improving. With a bit of luck, there will still be improvement to come (I can take ages). You never know with MS, of course, what just isn’t going to get better, but it is WAY too soon for you to be thinking in those terms about this relapse. So take heart, and good luck.

Alison

I relapsed in April last year,took steroids 4 weeks later and here I am 9 months later and still improving, I was worried in the first few months that I was going to stay as I was , the great people on here told me it can take a long time. And they were right Gray