Solumedrol versus Prednison
Solumedrol versus Prednison
I have been having symptoms on and off for five years and have never been officially diagnosed. During this time I have been under the same specialist's care having MRIs annually. I had an MRI a week ago which showed some evolving focal points at that time I was newly diagnosed and my specialist wants to admit me to the hospital for 5 days of IV Steroids. I sought out a second opinion from another specialist who also viewed my MRI and he recommended Prednisone at home for 3 days. I have had some increase numbness but thats really the only symptom. What is your experience with IV steroids or oral. I realize that the IV Steroids are much more potent. I am not sure what I should do.
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lyndacarol
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Re: Solumedrol versus Prednison
Welcome to this is MS, msnd.msnd wrote:I have been having symptoms on and off for five years and have never been officially diagnosed. During this time I have been under the same specialist's care having MRIs annually. I had an MRI a week ago which showed some evolving focal points at that time I was newly diagnosed and my specialist wants to admit me to the hospital for 5 days of IV Steroids. I sought out a second opinion from another specialist who also viewed my MRI and he recommended Prednisone at home for 3 days. I have had some increase numbness but thats really the only symptom. What is your experience with IV steroids or oral. I realize that the IV Steroids are much more potent. I am not sure what I should do.
I have no medical background; in my opinion, your concern is a perfect topic of discussion with your long-time specialist who wants to prescribe Solu-Medrol. If your only symptom is numbness, I don't understand the need for steroids at all. Corticosteroids (in any form: oral or IV) are powerful drugs with undesirable side effects – high dosage/long term or frequent use of these drugs carries a known increased risk of diabetes, for one. Also, steroids can interfere with the body's vitamin B12 (and a reduction in B12 can cause its own neurological symptoms).
It is generally accepted that steroids will not cure the underlying problem; it is thought that steroids may hasten the duration of a symptom. In my personal case, IV steroids given in the hospital did NOTHING to improve my symptoms.