I had the steroids when I experienced double vision. My vision cleared up 2 days after the steroids were done, so it was effective. But, about a week later, I developed an ulcer from it that lasted for a couple of weeks. I hope you don't develop any side effects.

Yes, it eased the pain I had in my legs, that was just a nice side-effect, since I was getting it for an exacerbation which caused numbness. Strangest feeling, I felt like a cup being slowly filled, the numbness started in my feet, and uniformly came up through my body, until it got to just below the nipples (and I finally got them to agree to give me the IV's!), when I started the prednisone, the numbness drained out of me in an identical "mirror-image" fashion. By the fifth day, it was down to my shins, and totally disappeared about 3 days after my IV's concluded.

Make sure they give you oral steroids to "taper you off" after the IV'S! Or you are likely to have some pretty big issues with mood-swings!

wow, thats great how it helped you with your numbness, i would be so scared. ALso, i have had t he pill form too before atfter the drip but he didn't say anthing about it this time, i will ask for , i do remeber having some strange "mood swingS' before. thank you for your reply

Carolinagirl!!!! I certainly hope that you have great sucess with the steriods. You have suffered so much with the leg pain. Many blessings to you!!!

Well hook me up to a non-stop IV of this stuff. I have pain in my legs and ankles (add my back) almost all of the time. I think I prefer pain pills to IVs of steroids which are not at all good for you. BEWARE please!

yea, i know the steroids can be bad for you, but i was getting desperate! I know a lady that gets the iv every 3 months!! I think that is definatley to much, i get the drip about 3 times a year.

I had an uncle that was on 15 mg. of prednisone for many years. He died at the age of 71 years and wow, what a lot of complications from all of those steroids over the years. My mother was into them too (she also had MS) and tried to get an RX for 5 mg. a day but the doctor said NO. She had developed cataracts, another side-effect from the steroids.

Also, bone loss is another one to worry about.

I am glad to know that you are aware of how much damage steroids can do (this includes the immune system - it trashes it). Be careful and always investigate/research any type of drug they toss at you (and there will be many, believe me!).

Take care of yourself as it seems you are already doing carolina! :)

My legs, feet, and ankles have hurt for so long I can hardly remember what it was like when they didn't hurt.

Please be careful with steroids - long term use can cause great damage to other parts of your body. My father developed colo-rectal cancer after taking Predinose for many years for CHron's disease. He tried and tried to get off Prednisone, but each time he went to too low of a dose his Chron's would flare up again.

I'm starting to resign myself to the fact that my MS equals leg/foot pain and fatigue. I just can not do what I used to, or even want to some days, without feeling so worn out and tired that I think I'll fall down if I don't sit.

I wish I had know this was coming - I would have tried to do more while I still could.

rachbach:

Isn't that the truth! I had no idea either. I had the pain in my legs, back, etc. before I was diagnosed and was told it was "arthritis". I do have osteoarthritis, yes. However being 36 years old is a bit young to be told you have "arthritis" causing all of your problems.

Now at the age of 53, the pain has slowly, but most certainly gotten much worse.

It sounds like we have much in common as I can't stand very long or do anything for very long without becoming weak and exhausted.

Nice to know we aren't alone in any event.

I thought i wa nearly the only one with leg/ankle feet pain, even wondered if i even had MS since it seems so many others have the numbness and eyes issues, i've not really had that, just some numness in fingertips that comes and goes. I hate the PAIN, i thik i'd rather have the numbness at times. and i can't find a med that helps with the pain, loritab or percocet did nothing, ultram helps some, thats its :(

carolina:

I've tried them all just about. I have had fair results with Vicoprofen for many years and very recently was put on oxycontin 15 mg. 3X a day. I try to take it as little as possible as I really do not want to die being a junkie (this is highly unlikely as I've been using pain pills since 1983 and I'm not one yet!). Caution is advised strongly in any event. You might ask about it - it lasts up to 12 hrs. time released.

With that said, I was exhausted yesterday after being up all night the night before (I tried a sample of "Lunesta" for insomnia - all it did was give me a heavy metallic taste in my mouth and I never feel asleep even though the dose was maximum at 3 mg.!).

Anyway, I was asleep for over 10 hrs. and was in such horrible pain when I woke up that I took one 15 mg. oxycontin. It helps to a point obviously as I am up and moving now. :)

I have not found anything that helps to actually completely get rid of the pain - never!

However, know you aren't alone! Hang in there best you can.

Hugs, Hope