Solumedrol

Caralea · Post by **Caralea** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:34 am

I've been searching the forums for information about the use of Solumedrol during an exacerbation.

That has always been the standard response from any neuro that I have been with. 1000mg/day IV for 5 days.

I HATE what it does to me- fat and grumpy. Last year an episode hit me that was really life endangering and was continuing to progress. The steroids didn't help.
Right now I've got another one happening that isn't as serious, just having a lot of trouble walking. I started the IV steroids yesterday but I'm thinking about telling my neuro that I want to stop after three days. Or even stop now after all of the things I'm reading online here. If it is really just about being patient until the episode resolves itself then I can do that as long as I'm not getting worse.

Any feedback?

lyndacarol · Post by **lyndacarol** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:50 pm

Cara--Whether or not to take steroids (Solu-Medrol) is your individual, personal decision. Do your research and ask your doctor every question you can think of, then, decide.

From what I have read and heard steroids will only speed a person through an exacerbation, they will not change the ultimate course of the disease. They are powerful drugs and bring their own undesirable side effects. A connection between steroids and diabetes is suspected because many people who use steroids repeatedly go on to develop diabetes later.

I believe the glucocorticosteroids raise blood sugar (glucose) and ultimately raise the level of insulin in response; my personal belief is that excess insulin is involved in MS.

Caralea · Post by **Caralea** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:58 pm

thank you.
I think I'm going to talk to them about quitting after 3 days instead of doing the 5.

I have known that it was bad for you all along but it is hard to be ready with articulate arguments and firm in insisting on alternatives.
And...it's scary too! I would like to be able to put all trust in my neurologist with out question...but that's just not the way that it is.

lyndacarol · Post by **lyndacarol** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 5:38 pm

By the way, with my belief that excess insulin starts the MS cascade, I suspect that insulin is one of the substances that plasmapheresis filters out of the blood. This could explain your improvement in the past when plasmapheresis was done on you.

Again, because of my "insulin belief" I urge you to follow a diet that will keep your blood sugar (glucose) as low as possible -- this is basically a low-carb diet which limits white bread, white flour, white sugar, white potatoes, and artificial sweeteners (these items encourage your pancreas to secrete MORE insulin).

Slumby · Post by **Slumby** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:56 pm

Sometimes I wonder about the effect of sugars (and hense, insulin) have on me. I'm mostly vegatarian and eat a lot of carbs (rice is brown, usually).

A blood panel (fasting) this month indicated everything normal, with glucose in the high range...adding to my interest in this.

lyndacarol · Post by **lyndacarol** » Thu Feb 04, 2010 5:38 pm

A high glucose level triggers the pancreas to secrete insulin; the pancreas releases an amount of insulin that overcompensates for the amount of glucose.

The glucose level can cause high insulin; but high insulin can then result in low glucose (hypoglycemia) as well. So the level of glucose is tied to the level of insulin, but cannot actually reveal whether insulin is high or low. To KNOW the insulin level the doctor must order an actual insulin test.

To improve the insulin level try a low-carb diet. Carbohydrates convert quickly to sugar in the bloodstream.

Slumby · Post by **Slumby** » Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:31 pm

Thanks for info, Lynda. Fascinating stuff.
I would also like to have my hormones checked. Will keep this in mind the next time I see my GP in April.