I just got off of 3 days of oral pres, i had to take 50 pills a day. It was not fun, there was no tapering off. But I can feel tempreture in my left leg again so that's good. It's sucks going through it but it did seem to help. Didn't fix my double vision though :(

my dr has suggested the same 3 days of iv prednisone for my remission and i am hoping for different results!

Your experience with steroids isn't uncommon, and while MSers may talk about taking them in a cavelier way because they're given so frequently for an exacerbation, they're serious drugs. Some people don't respond to them at all, and some people find that they don't get immediate relief of symptoms -- it can take a few days to a week. (My youngest brother, who was dx'ed with MS a year and a half ago, is like that -- it takes the steroids a week to "kick in.")

Tapers are done at your doctor's discretion. It seems like half will taper the drug, and the other half won't -- they figure that you're going to crash anyway (which is true) so why prolong it?

Personally, I'd never have IV steroids without at least a week-long taper afterwards. I've had them both ways, and I never felt worse after a previous neurologist allowed me to "crash" without telling me what to expect. It was terrifying, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I have had the same experience.I could not handle the steroids with no taper.I got off of work one night and just thought i was going crazy i was hallucinating i felt horrible,i felt worse than ever after calling ms dr. he put me on a30 day taper and it helped alot.I will use steroids(i usually have 5 days of iv steroids)but i will never again use it without a taper.

Howdy, Eloise. I'm sorry you're not feeling so well after the steroids. I have crashed and literally burned from steroids myself, and I completely understand your frustration about feeling like symptoms worsen after the treatment is done. I've only had those treatments twice -- same drug, mind you -- and I had different reactions each time. I considered an oral taper for the second one because I remembered some not so pretty side effects I wanted to avoid from the first treatment. My doctor gave me the script for a taper but since he didn't really sound convinced about its success, I didn't take it. I still had side effects, but like I said they were completely different from the effects I had the first time. I did find each time that the side effects to the steroids didn't come until a week after I started them. I don't know if I am being much help as I seem to be further reinforcing the randomness of MS (and its treatment apparently), but hang in there. We know how you feel!

well shit....after reading all the replies here im not sure i want to do iv infusion at all now. grrrr what to do what to do...

I haven't been diagnosed with MS, but with a clinically isolated syndrome. I was on the IV steroids for 3 days, and now I'm on the tapering off pills, being the prednisone. I feel like garbage. I have to take 3 a day for 11 days. I still have 9 more days left, but I feel awful. Almost like everything is moving in slow motion. I can see out of my eye again, but I'm just miserable. Has anyone else had this experience, and if so how long did it last?

My first two times with the IV were okay, but the third and fourth were horrible. I get nasty nerve/skin pain along my neck and upper arms, and incredible and painful acne. I won't do it again unless I am flaring so badly that I cannot function. Taper is a must also, as well as protection for the stomach, which alot of people forget. You should be taking a long acting antacid while on either type of prednisone.

Thanks for the advice. It's really been hard to find any because I don't technically have MS, just the clinically isolated syndrome. Even my neurologist is just like "It'll stop soon."

usually steroids help my exacerbations within minutes...i guess everyone is totally different. It's up to you whether you want to risk trying it again... With any med it just depends on the person.
what i would suggest though (and this has been done for me...) is that when you get IV steroids for 1 day....ask for ORAL prednisone for the next week or so so you can taper off of it...like 4 pills then 3 then 2 then 1
it's A LOT better coming off of it...if you gradually decrease the dose...
good luck

I would NEVER do the IV steroids without tapering afterwards. I worked for a dr. for 13 years & that can be dangerous. Have a frank discussion with your dr. and tell him/her you want a say in future "crashing"!! Best to you in getting better.

I AM NOT SURE IF EVERYONE KNWS THIS BUT THERE R SEVERAL DIFFERET IV STERIOD MEDS. SO IF U HAVE HAD A BAD REACTION ASK UR DOCTOR WHICH ONE HE HAD GIVEN U AND SUGGEST 2 TRY ANOTHER 1 IF U NEED IT. AS FAR AS THE TAPPERING OFF GOES I TAKE THE BACOLFEN AND IT HELPS, I NEVER TAKE THE ORAL ONES, I HATE THE WAY THE MAKE ME FEEL.