Optic Neuritis/Steroids
Hello, I don’t know if I will be diagnosed with MS or not yet but I have had optic neuritis for weeks. We have to follow up with further testing but I can’t get anything done until I finish 21 days. I’m having horrible side effects from the steroid and I don’t know how I’m going to get through 21 days…. Any suggestions on this? He won’t do a spinal tap until after my course of steroids.
I’ve already been having pressure around my rib cage but it seems to have exasperated it by starting steroids. I can even see the keyboard or screen enough to make sure I’ve spelled correctly. I’m so frustrated with the long process. Also my balance was much worse today than normal. 
, I am so sorry you are hurting and have to ride things out for awhile. That's really tough to do! This may seem like an obvious question, but have your talked to your physician about the side effects and other issues you are experiencing right now? Steroids tend to help a great deal (temporarily) with pain and inflammation, but if you are having issues, you should definitely let your doctor know.
And frankly, the wait for testing (and results) is just plain excruciating sometimes. I wish I could offer you a fast forward to the date of your spinal tap. Here's some information on steroid use and sleep, which is not quite what you're looking for, but the author does share some good tips and suggestions -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/insomnia-steroid. And here's a little more insight on steroids -- https://multiplesclerosis.net/living-with-ms/steroids-relapse.
But again, please let your doctor know (if you haven't already done so) about those side effects, in case he can prescribe something else or something to help manage some of your side effects.
Hang in there. I know it's not easy.
I hope you spinal tap goes smoothly and you get your results quickly! Please feel free to come back and update us on your results, if you feel comfortable doing so.
Best, Erin, MultipleSclerosis.net Team Member.
Talk to your Doc. The limited times I've been on steriods for MS/Optic in the past have been a week or two of bliss. Feel great like Superman when on them.
