Re: medrol (methylprednisalone)

[Guest guest]

Apostle, systemic steroids like methylprednisolone have many serious

side effects that can permanent impact on a person's health. Even in

low doses, they are only used for the most serious conditions, and

only when a clear physiologic benefit is needed. As you noted, over a

period of time the body becomes tolerant to the steroid dose, and so

increasing amounts are needed for the same effect.

In an attempt to avoid the whole body side effects, steroids can be

applied locally -- as eye drops, in asthma medicine, and in topical

preparations for the skin, etc. There are still side effects, some

preparations and conditions are more serious than others, as many

people in this group can attest.

Marjorie

Marjorie Lazoff, MD

> hello, my redness in my face is partially due to seb derm. It is

> also on my scalp too. Topical steroids stopped working for me a

long

> time ago, in fact they make it worse now. Recently I had a surgery

> and my doctor gave me a medrol dose pack, which consists of

> methylprednisalone taken in decreasing amounts each day over six

> days, until you area done at the sixth day. He told me it is for

> swelling.

>

> I took it, and my seb derm cleared up for a few weeks. I was

> relieved and did not know why this happened. I looked into what

> medrol is suspecting that it had something to do with it. When I

> looked on the net I found out that medrol is an oral

corticosteroid.

> No wonder! I had taken a systemic steroid! I'm not promoting this

> as a solution, I only want to know has anyone taken this in small

> doses whenever they had a flare up? I wonder if it could be used

for

> this? Actually, I read that it is used for severe skin diseases

such

> as psoriasis. It has some side effects such as lowering the

> effectiveness of the immune system. Some people with arthritis

have

> to take it everyday. I'm not sure if I would ever do that, but the

> emotional stress of my problem is sometimes costly and I wonder if

> there is some harmony that can be achieved. I wonder if it is good

> to use for a flare up and chill out for say, a month? It is

> available on the internet without a prescription. I read several

> sources that said that when taken in low doses over a short period

of

> time the side effects are minimal. Actually, there are a number of

> side effects listed, but it seems to be for those who take it a

> lot. Anyone with any knowledge or experience with medrol, please

> speak up. Thanks,

>

> Rob