hornets nest on the steroid topic

[Guest guest]

Wow,

I never imagined such a swirl of chatter and controversy over the topic of

Solumedrol. I know posted her original opinion (as she's every right

to do) that her experience with the IV's was not very pleasant.

I added my two bits from a non-MS perspective. I will repeat that I do have

(several) AutoImmune Disease(s). One happens

to be Adrenal in nature. Solumedrol could kill me quite easily.

Just one single IV dose during a surgery (the surgery that was supposed to

save me from Thyroid Cancer and a horrible Autoimmune Thyroid Disease), well

that one IV dose nearly put me in the hospital in total Adrenal Failure.

Once again, just subjective opinion. But there is solid science behind the

fact that when steroids are administered (especially in larger doses) it

sends a message to the body to not bother producing anymore on its own. Its

a calculated risk anyone takes when opting to go the steroids route. There

is a lot known about steroids including the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I am glad to hear that there are those on this site who benefit from this

med. I can only imagine what I would choose to do if it came down to

deciding between the loss of my eyesight or the Hypoadrenia. I can suppose

that I would likely opt for the Solumedrol but hope that my docs monitored

me closely, probably kept me in hospital for the entire treatment, and

measured my adrenal function before sending me back out into the world. I

know my DH would not want to experience another episode like the one he had

to clean up after my one dose of Solumedrol, finding me slumped on the

floor, white as a sheet, lips the color of alabaster. It scared the sh*t out

of both of us and my primary care doc! BUT that was just my personal

experience with that particular med. The physiologic dose of Cortef ( a

lessor steroid- hydrocortisone) actually helped me feel better for a few

days before the side effects (steroid rage, acne, etc) kicked in. I'm still

glad I had that option to help me through. It was nice to see pink lips

again! :-)

We are all on a slightly different version of a very wild rollercoaster and

it IS categorically imperitive that each of us educate ourselves to the

fullest about any treatment we may choose to take (or that may be

unwittingly foisted on us- as was my case). I know I have been researching

the LDN and the Hypericin from one end of the world wide web to the other.

Unless my liver biopsy shows that I am in dire need of a liver transplant or

have liver cancer, then there is no way in hell they are going to get me on

any of the interferon/chemo-treatments for HepC (my other most recently dx'd

monster). I have my primary doc behind me on this and she is ready to write

my script for LDN. I have already checked in with the compounding pharmacy

in my state and they are eager to help me get started. I have also ordered

my Hypericin caps from CA so the HY2 part of the treatment will be here this

week. About 7 hours after my liver biopsy is complete (July 8th PST) you may

all hear a great psychic *sigh* as I swallow my first doses!

As for the Solumedrol issue: I now have a notation in my medical chart that

I can never be given IV Solumedrol again. It sets off a chain reaction in my

adrenal system that sends me in a downward spiral that could be fatal.

Does that mean I am telling anyone else not to use it? Heck no!

Am I purposely trying to scare the pants off of anyone on this forum so they

won't take it. Absolutely not!

I am simply sharing my experience with it and reminding others that ALL our

treatments come with risk

and you have to be willing to accept those risks if you choose a certain

treatment. I actually do have some experience as a certified nutritional

counselor so have access to more than just anecdotal evidence about the down

side to IV steroids.

The thyroid pills I must take every day now just to stay alive come with

side effects, too: high cholesterol, osteoporosis, blood pressure issues,

etc. And I'll gladly share that info with anyone who asks just as soon as I

would share with them the fact that Armour thyroid and Unithroid combined

works better for me than the Almighty $ynthroid.

Just my humble opinion. Seems we are all entitled to those and it is

wonderful that this forum offers so many of us the chance to rave, rant,

spew, steam, giggle, laugh, cry and share.

That's all we can do. End of Rant!

Best to all,

Lara

Seattle, WA- but formerly of Chalan Pago, Guam, USA

(that tidbit was for whoever mentioned they wished we would put our

locations

in our posts! I have a good compounding pharmacy in Kent, WA just south of

the city.

Need more info? feel free to message me!)