What is your experience with steroids?
Sometimes, steroids work for a person, and sometimes they don’t. And of course, all people react to a drug differently—both in response to the effectiveness and to the side effects. My first experience with steroids was horrifying and created tremendous confusion and stress. My doctor and pharmacist didn’t explain much about them. In the beginning, I hated them. But after I began to understand my body’s reactions to them, steroids became my friend.
What were your side effects, and did they help? How well were you informed about them?
I hate them and they make my depression way worse and make me eat alot. I have just felt like it's there way of thinking we are getting some help when ultimately there is nothing. I freak out every time I have to get them before Ocrevus. I am sorry I have nothing good to say about any of this.
Oh, please don't be sorry. I'm sorry you've had only bad results from them. The side effects can be very nasty, for sure, and increased appetite is an unfortunate side effect for some people. Steroids are meant to reduce inflammation and shorten flareups. They do ultimately work for many people after the program is over. So you've had them numerous times and didn't get any improvement afterwards? I'm curious to know how many times you've had them and why you got them before Ocrevus. Thank you for sharing.- Debbie (Team member)
In my experience, steroids can be difficult but necessary. They are tough on me, my blood pressure spikes, I become irritable and emotional, my body swells, and it's just an absolutely awful experience. That said, I've noticed a marked difference between taking them and not taking them during an exacerbation. While the experience is awful, steroids (particularly IV steroids like Solumedrol) have dramatically cut down the length of relapses for me. The longer an exacerbation goes on, the more damage can be done, so while using them is awful, for me, it's a necessary awful. The longer an exacerbation lasts, the greater chance there is of permanent disability. I wish I had been put on IV steroids during my early relapses because I know it made a difference for me later during my life with MS.
Worked a treat for me but it's a short term fix to calm your body down. Too many side effects for long term use. I felt like superman while on them, i could have lifted up a bus but long term you'll pay a price.
