| IV Steroid Therapy |
|
I don't know if you are like me, but when it comes to the dreaded Solumedrol statement from my neurologist, I tend to sink in my chair. Yes, my vision in my left eye was completely blurred. And I knew I needed it. But the inconvenience of it all, makes you think twice.
I have had my vision come and go in my left eye for a few years. I've done the Solumedrol drip about 6 times. So I consider myself a veteran. But this time I let it go. The vision came and went for a few weeks. I was not concerned because it did come back each time. Without any treatment. But waking up on Tuesday morning, with absolutely no vision in that left eye. I changed my mind about treatment really quick.
I called my neurologist, he agreed and I was set up on 3 days of IV Solumedrol 1000 mg per day, on a two hour run. Hey, this was gonna be great I thought. I just switched to an MS Center and they do things a bit different than my old neurologist. Three days instead of five days, and one infusion per day instead of two. So I perked up a little when I found all this information out. I looked at this as a new experience. And I was ready for anything because they added medications, that were protocol for IV Solumedrol Infusion. Criteria and Protocol is so prevalent at the University Hospitals, and an MS specialist caring for you makes you feel in much better hands than a general neurologist that treats all neurologic diseases. OK OK I'm off the soap box now. I am just excited about my new MS center and the treatment, I needed to rant a bit.
Wednesday afternoon I started the IV therapy at home with a visiting nurse. After three sticks, voila, the IV is in. And we are ready to start infusion. After about 15 minutes the memories of IV solumedrol came flooding back. The tin taste in my mouth. The sudden rush you feel when it gets in your system. And the thought of sleep, oh the sleep I would miss became all too memorable. But again, attitude is everything, and I am a very positive person.
Wednesday night turned into Thursday morning, very very very slowly. I stayed up until 8 am on Thursday morning. The nurse called that she would be here at noon. So my Mom let me sleep. But after 3 hours of sleep I was awake and raring to go. I call it the steroid shuffle. Kinda like a dance. You want to run a mile, but it's false energy when ya try to actually do something. You still get fatigued and again reminded why the heck you are on these high dose steroids to begin with.
As are result of the steroids, and my immune system being so surpressed, I developed pneumonia and was in the hospital for 5 days. This has been a rough time, because I was trying to clear up my vision, and that came back. But the side effects of the wonder drug, did me in. I ask myself, what is better, dealing with the side effects, or just letting it go. In my opinion I made the right choice. Although Solumedrol and the taper thereafter can be hard. Taking care of the problem as soon as possible is imperative. We as people with MS need to keep on top of these flares. The possibility of permanent disability from these flares without steroids is too great. So we take the good with the bad and push on.
As I write this, I'm recovering from pneumonia, my fatigue has worsened, and I don't feel like myself yet. But, I know I made the right decision, and I know I am taking care of my MS. The complications are tolerable when you consider the latter of no vision in my left eye. So when you're feeling down, and doing your own steroid shuffle, remember we are doing what's right to take control of this sometimes uncontrollable disease. So SMILE and don't sweat the small stuff. And know there is someone out there doing that shuffle right along with ya. And the dance will continue till a cure is found.
To add a comment or question go to
Michelle's MS View Comment and Question Forum
|
| -Copyright 2002-2003 Michelle Tapia . |
|
