Pros and cons of medrol?

[shea]

Rheumy's associate called me in Medrol.  I've never had it.  What am I in for?

[Carolina]

How much are you taking, Shea?

For how long?

You can count on feeling better unless you have some sort of reaction. 

Please let us know what the 'plan' for your Medrol is.

I'm on Medrol, started at 4 mg in December, and am down to 2 mg alternating with 1.5 mg daily.  I take it so that I can tolerate my IVIG monthly.

But it makes me feel so much better, shea.  I would take it for ever.  However there are some downsides to longterm Medrol usage.

We can talk about this as we go along.

Others wil chime in I'm sure.

Remember, we are all different.  Let your body show you the way.  Most LIKELY you will find relief from your pain.  Medrol is a form of prednisone.  It is methylprednisolone, and a bit stronger than prednisone. 4 gm of Medrol = 5 gm of prednisone, more or less.

Keep us posted!

Hugs,  Elaine

[shea]

Elaine it's a 4mg pack for 6 days.  Crossing my fingers that I can get feeling good even if it's only a week at this point.  I'm desperate.  I haven't worked a full week of work all year. 

[Carolina]

Ok shea,

Take it and see what happens.  You should feel better in two days.

Then you can talk to the doctor about what next.

Hugs,  Elaine

Take it a day at a time.  that's all we have anyway.

[Chris]

I have only had it in Iv before Ivig treatment?? It's a pretty small amount to ward off reaction....
Good luck!

[Carolina]

The medrol taper I have done is as follows:

24 mg the first day
20 mg the second day
16 mg the third day
12 the the fourth day
8 the fifth
and 4 the sixth

I don't understand an even 4 for 6 days.

But I do know that with 4 a day, I felt SO MUCH BETTER.

And even on 2mg/1.5mg a day I'm ok....I just will see how my IVIG goes at the end of the month.

I'm also taking Neurontin now, but my tongue and lips still tingle, tho my hands seem better.

It's always something, isn't it?

Hugs,  Elaine

[shea]

It's exactly as you stated Elaine.  I hadn't opened it yet.  I take 6 pills, then 5 and so on.  I just worry I will feel better and then crash but at this point I'll take it.  Plus, it didn't cost me a penny at the pharmacy so I have nothing to lose!! 

[shea]

Day 5 report.  Pain is good.  I'm thankful for that.  However not being able to sleep well and when I do, it's not good sleep -- is driving me crazy!  Plus I'm itchy after I take the pills.  Ugh!!!  I still am dealing with a horrible tonsil stone that won't come off and is making me miserable with sore throat and swollen glands.  Overall thoughts on medrol - it's not for me.  Not enough good to call it a success.

[cccourt1942]

You won't crash at day 7...wait until about day 14!     Really..if you are young and it's your first pac, you may get a month or more out of it.  Good luck..and enjoy your energy.  Wash those windows, polish that front door, weed those flower beds...and...clean your closet!  You'll be glad you got those things behind you! 

[shea]

cccourt - because of the infection I have going on (tonsil stone) I am wiped out more than ever.  Just napping all the time because I'm not sleeping well at night. 

[cccourt1942]

Oh ouch!  I bet that does hurt.  Fingers, toes and mouth hurt the most--I think.  Can't focus on anything else if an owie is in one of those spots.  Continue your rest!   

[Carolina]

Try an antihistamine when you take the Medrol.

Tho I guess you're about through now?

Medrol does take away the pain, and for some causes sleep disruption.

I just take Benadryl and if necessary Sonata (Zaleplon) to sleep.

I have the Medrol taper pack to interrupt a terrible FLARE, like I had with the Fire Ant Saga...I had over 150 fire ant bites on my feet on June 13.  It was a nightmare and getting worse and worse...a flare for sure.

The bite marks (scars?) are still there.  Spots all over my feet.

Anyway, shea, I hope you got some relief from the Medrol taper pack.

I take a tiny bit of Medrol every day.  2 mg/1.5 mg alternating.  I am curious to see if that's enough to suppress my flare reaction to my IVIG.  I have my next IVIG on Weds. July 30.  So I will get an idea then.

Keep us posted on how you're doing.

I have no clue what a tonsil stone is.  It must be an accumulations of crystals in your tonsils?  I have no tonsils and haven't since I was 9.  they used to take them out if you were chronically ill.

Hugs,  Elaine

[shea]

Whatever you do Elaine, don't google tonsil stones and watch the videos unless you like gross things. 

[Carolina]

Oh shea, I learned my lesson with tongue lesions, and herpes, and everything we ever get.  The images are over the top awful.

Hugs,  Elaine

[gurs]

Wow Elaine..your cutting down 4mg a day? Im still in the process of trying to wean off my 8mg of Medrol, but ive been on this for years, and still take my 12mg of prednisone daily. All my problems began after the 10mg of prednisone.

The last few weeks, Im down to 6mg of Medrol..been doing it super slow. Had a flare this weekend, but tempted not to give in.

The Medrol is wonderful, but my side effects getting worse. The bone loss, cataracts, hair loss, thin skin and weakening veins and tendons, im learning how bad it can be...but it does really help and short term is fine.

Gursie