Hi all, So again I’m suffering with another relapse. Today I got prescribed Medrone (a super Steroid) because of how bad my relapse is they have recommended I take 750mg once a day in the morning for 1 week, this dose seems huge? The side effects that these can cause are also quite worrying. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Hi Rebecca
I’m not sure what the total daily dosage is for the usual steroids, to compare. But if you’re concerned, I suggest speaking to the pharmacist or neuro. As for the side effects, they probably won’t happen.And any you do get won’t last.
I’d be happy to trust your neuro though. Hope the pills do the job!
Dan
Hello Rebecca
High dose Medrone is quite common for relapses which affect motor functions/mobility/optic neuritis.
I’ve typically had 500mg per day, but as the IV dose is 1000mg, it’s not that unusual to be given 750mg orally per day.
The side effects can be quite nasty. And some are pretty much guaranteed. So I’d expect:
- a horrible metallic taste in my mouth that lasts all day (try nibbling extra strong mints, they help),
- sleeplessness, this is why you take them first thing, this is tough to deal with but basically, it’s a case of just living with it for the days of the steroids.
- a kind of ‘edginess’, some might call me a super-bitch, but not while I’m actually taking the steroids as that could just make me even more enraged! Often this can just manifest as being a bit picky and short tempered!
- a combination of sleeplessness and edginess quite commonly has people doing extra house cleaning and just ‘stuff’ to occupy the extra energy.
- gastric issues are common, you are often prescribed something like Omeprazole to help with this. Personally, I tend to get more kind of pain in my oesophagus (oesophagitis). So I take Omeprazole and swig liquid Gaviscon too.
- the instructions on the drug leaflet are important to read. Especially the side effects. Some people get so antsy, they can even be a bit psychotic, so make sure whoever you live with is aware of this possibility.
- after you’ve finished the steroids, it’s common to feel sort of ‘bruised’ under the skin. I’ve compared this to being kicked all over, or going a few rounds with a heavy weight boxer. This goes fairly quickly.
- its also common to feel a bit ‘low’, a sort of reaction to the semi ‘high’ you might have during the drugs.
I assume your GP / MS nurse / someone has tested your wee to make sure you have no UTI before starting the steroids? If not, get it tested ASAP. At this point it will be Monday. So it might be a case of shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted. But it’s very important for the future. Steroids depress your immune system, so any infection or virus you have will go ballistic.
Do keep in your mind that steroids are not a cure for an MS relapse. Their aim is to shorten the time it takes for the relapse to remit. They aren’t terribly reliable either. Certainly, the sooner you start the steroids following the beginning of the relapse, the better they should work.
Have a look at https://www.mstrust.org.uk/a-z/steroids-methylprednisolone
Best of luck. Hopefully the side effects won’t be too awful.
Sue
Hi, thank you for the message. I went to see my MS consultant and nurse, they did a urine test and bloods. 1of my levels of blood was slightly raised but they still gave me the go ahead to take the tablets, they have been very good. This all happened on Wednesday and got the go ahead to take them on Thursday. They have also rushed me in for an MRI scan on Monday and Physio on Tuesday. It’s been all go go go, but I think that’s brilliant. They are very good with me. Thanks.