Chain Reaction: Dexamethasone = Tremendous Leg Pain

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Dexamethasone = Tremendous Leg Pain

Hi Blog Friends:

I saw my Neuro Monday. He thinks I may have a mild case of Optic Neuritis. Fine, blurry intermittently - I'm cool with it. We discussed my long term care options now that I am past that flare from the summer (fingers crossed as I have lingering symptoms). I am going to start Copaxone as soon as they get it to me - I bet it takes like a month. However, he tells me it takes 4 to 6 months for the Copaxone to get in there and do it's thing and he'd like to put me on pulse steroids twice a month for 3 months till the Copaxone is working soon. This is wonderful news - this is the plan I had that I wanted to do when I went in there. He looked at me, tested me and agreed I do not need Tysabri yet (about time doctors listen to the patient).

All this to say that yesterday I just took my first pulse dose (1 day supply of really high dexamethasone) and almost immediately my legs were/are in SO SO much pain. I don't understand. The steroids made my leg spasms worse too. I guess I should call him, but, don't want to feel like an idiot. Has this happened to you or anyone else and do you know why? I can't be down and out for several days each month when before I took it I was good (minus the blurry vision). My legs were fine before the steroids. If you know what is happening to me do tell....

And one other comment on my Florida post below (do read) is that Disney World is there! :)

3 comments:

Jen said...: I've never taken that type of steroid, so I have no clue (sorry!)

Enjoy Florida and a new life chapter..

Jen; January 22, 2009
Herrad said...: Can't comment on the drug hope your legs are not painful anymore.
Florida sounds a great idea go for it.
Take care of yourself.
Love,
Herrad; January 23, 2009
Lisa Emrich said...: I"m with Jen. I've only done Solumedrol by IV, not dexamethasone. However, I can't take oral prednisone and take Decadron instead which is dexamethasone. It works well for me.

Sorry that your legs have been hurting. How are they now? any better?

Sounds like a good plan with the pulsed steroids leading up to the point Copaxone should be built up in your system.

Florida's neat.; January 24, 2009

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The person with MS can suffer almost any neurological symptom or sign, including changes in sensation (hypoesthesias and paraesthesias), muscle weakness, muscle spasms, or difficulty in moving;^[15] difficulties with coordination and balance (ataxia);^[15] problems in speech (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia),^[16] visual problems (nystagmus, optic neuritis, or diplopia),^[17] fatigue, acute or chronic pain,^[18]^[19] and bladder and bowel difficulties.^[19]^[20] Cognitive impairment of varying degrees and emotional symptoms of depression or unstable mood are also common.^[21]^[22] The main clinical measure of disability progression and symptom severity is the Expanded Disability Status Scale or EDSS.^[23]

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