Hi, all prepared!!
You can also bring headphones and some relaxing music.
Faith, everything will be fine.
Keep us posted

Alma

My mom's going with me and will probably talk my ear off. I'm supposed to go back to work on Thurs. & Fri. I hope I can anyway.

Oh mother!!
When we've had them, we've had to rest those days, don't over do it, take it easy.

How did it work out for you? I am having an exacerbation right now and I feel a steroid infusion coming on in the near future. But I need it! It works!

I recently had my second IV steroids treatment.I remembered fro m last time how I couldn't sleep and the horrible taste in my mouth so was a little prepared. What I should have remembered was how upset my stomach would get. I was so bloated and my bowel was so full that the pain was like being kicked in the back by a horse. It is the 8th day after starting them and I am just now starting to feel better. My neuro had suggested a strong laxative drink and I probably should have started it earlier. I have caught up on the lack of sleep having crashed on the 6th day. I know from the first time I felt a lot better for weeks so I suppose a week of discomfort makes up for it but right this second I really want to just feel better. Sometimes you have to weigh up whether the "treatment' is worth it.

Hi shellos8-boy I remember my first time with steroids. I did have anxiety and sleeplessness. I spent 5 days in the hospital and each night got less and less sleep until I was not sleeping at all. They finally had to knock me out. I had 2 courses a year for about 4 yrs before I had a hypertensive crisis with one course and I said no more. I had gained more weight with each course and the weaning off was awful. I got bad knee and joint pain. The last few courses I weaned pretty quick just to get thru it and off them. I don't know that it helped me that much as I am now on Copaxone and its so much better. The artificial high you get from steroids is hard to deal with when you crash from coming off them. be warned. everyone is different but do start Vit D and calcium as they will thin your bones. Good luck and have you discussed Copaxone?

OK I see all the positive responses you have had here & can see where they come from too as it can make you feel good for sure.
PLEASE think about the long term effects of it.

I am currently in rehab after having surgery caused by avascular necrosis which is caused by too much steroids. One dose wont do it but please make sure you dont have too much over the years & it does add up. Osteo-arthritis is also an effect from it & very painfu to say the least.
Just be careful everyone

For those who cannot tolerate the regular steroids or steroids have not worked for you, ask you doctor about Acthar Gel. It is expensive, and some in the insurance and/or medical field believe regular steroids to be just as effective. I have been on both, and the Acthar Gel was more effective. If you have health insurance, the copay is only $25. Great because the medicine is $30,000 for a month supply. A month supply is a 80ml bottle that is to be used for up to 5 injections. Acthar Gel is only available through the specialty pharmacy CuraScript. The medicine is mailed to your home.

I must be a freak.

My experience with the IV steroids has been different each time. I have only had three rounds so far in eight years.

First, I got so tired all of the time. I slept for almost two weeks. My blood pressure spiked scarily, and I was not given the fifth day because of it.'The metallic taste in my mouth made me nauseous but I could work around that.

This last go round my blood pressure was bottoming out and I was disoriented when I first got up. I felt like I was hgaving anothe hypoglycemic episode. I was given extra fluids to go with the last, fourth, infusion.That was two weeks ago and I still don't have the energy boost that I hear is so common. I wish I would get it.

Everyone is different, I guess. I still taste the metal in my mouth. The nurses told me that it usually takes three weeks to fully kick in so I am still waiting.
The symptoms that sent me to the dr for the steroids have subsided and that was within days thankfully. The stabbing pain in my eye is gone and my vision cleared up real soom. And my complexion, wow! Took a good ten years off my face. That's always a plus!!!

Good luck to you with your steroids! The first couple of times no problem. I had it at home the first treatment. After that, my husband did my infusions. The last time after my IV Drips were done and I started on the pills I became very angry and hateful. I made a lot of apologies.

I soon knew I had to have gum or candy for the metal taste. I also watched what I ate so I did not over eat.

Good luck and keep us informed!