Why does Medrol take it away?
(sung to the tune of Lenny Kravitz, “Are you gonna go my way?”)
Medrol AKA Methylprednisolone can be magic for me.
For those of you not in the sicky world – it’s basically steroids.
Yesterday, my trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and arm muscles were so spastic and weak, I couldn’t
You teeny tiny miracle you.
carry my purse on my right shoulder. I was unable to lift my right arm enough to wash my hair independently. Today, after three full dose days, I feel more energetic and while my range of motion is still limited, it’s like I am a different person than I was Monday morning. I’m also less fatigued overall than I have been in weeks.
When a pharmaceutical works so well and so quickly for me, I can’t help but become skeptical. Am I really doing more harm than good? Ask An MD has a great post related to this topic right now.
For me, it seems as though Medrol is a last resort – when all else fails with me, give her some Medrol or Prednisone. Medrol comes in a convenient purse or pocket pack. It has a scheduled taper printed directly on the tablet container.
So, what is up with Medrol and if it potentially works so well, why I am not constantly on it?
There are many good reasons it is a last result. There are many possible side effects that range from harmful to annoying and uncomfortable. One unfavorable side effect is puffy face and endless appetite. One happy side effect, my psoriasis clears up a bit.
From Pfizer http://www.pfizer.com/files/products/uspi_medrol.pdf
DESCRIPTION
MEDROL Tablets contain methylprednisolone which is a glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids are adrenocortical steroids.
ACTIONS
Naturally occurring glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone and cortisone) are primarily used for their potent anti-inflammatory effects in disorders of many organ systems. Glucocorticoids cause profound and varied metabolic effects. In addition, they modify the body’s immune responses to diverse stimuli.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
MEDROL Tablets are indicated in the following conditions: (see above referenced document for details)
1. Endocrine Disorders
2. Rheumatic Disorders
3. Collagen Diseases
4. Dermatologic Diseases
5. Allergic States
6. Ophthalmic
7. Respiratory Diseases
8. Hematologic Disorders
9. Neoplastic Diseases
10. Edematous States
11. Gastrointestinal Diseases
12. Nervous System
13. Miscellaneous
WARNINGS
Too many to list (per me, Queen of Optimism. check out the document for more info)
Mine is actually more full. Sad, I know.
Medicine Cabinet
Mine is actually more full. Sad, I know.
With where I’m at with my leg and neck/shoulder/arm problems, I’ve suddenly developed a fuller medicine cabinet. Today, I picked up an e-prescription for Ultram. I know nothing about this drug. I already have Darvocet, am supposed to take Valium, and take Klonopin as needed for anxiety. I’m growing uncomfortable with the pill approach. Especially when we’re talking opioids and tranquilizers.
However, there’s no denying I have been more awake and more productive thanks to Medrol. And, the pain I had been experiencing pre-pain pills was debilitating. If pills are a long-term solution, I want to know why. Even though I worry about jinxing myself, let’s hope super Neuro #4 can give me the answers.
But what if the Medrol masks my symptoms for when I see my new doc on the 17th?!? Eek!
My dear fellow patients: Do you take Medrol? How do you feel about your other prescriptions?
Docs and other Medical professionals - what are your thoughts?
I changed some settings on my blog so I believe you can now post more anonymously! I’d love to hear from you.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | medrol, sternocleidomastoid, undiagnosed chronic illness
Lists of side effects like that are why I always howl with laughter at Stephen Colbert’s “Prescott Pharmacueticals” bits.
I’m happy the Medrol is helping some. And again I say, dictation software, baby.
It’s nice to hear that something is helping!
I had one short course of steroids shortly before my diagnosis – best I’d felt in ages. The other meds I take… well, I’d rather not need them, but since they make it possible for me to get out of bed in the morning without yelping in pain, and they keep me walking, I figure it’s a good trade-off.
I’ve spent way too much of the past few years on steroids. I’m generally on prednisone if taking it orally, although I have had Medrol occasionally. (And of course, the joys of solumedrol via IV.)
I have a love-hate relationship with my meds, especially pain meds. I decided that as much as my pain was debilitating, the pain meds were just as debilitating or more. For me, I found the pain meds took away the worst of the pain, but they also took away the brief periods I felt better (energy *and* painwise). The pain meds sort of flattened me out, if that makes sense. After a year of going pain med free, I decided I’d proven to myself, at least, that I wasn’t an addict and abusing my meds (as a nasty neuro accused me of being). Now I use them sparingly. I find them especially helpful when my pain is spiraling out of control and becoming unbearable. It’s rare for me to use more than a dose or two a week, tops, nowadays. And most weeks, I’m not taking any, just gritting my teeth and getting through things as best I can.
Hm. I think you’ve sparked an idea for me for a blog post for the upcoming PFAM. Thanks.
Hang in there, Q. Do what you need to do to keep all those balls in the air. *hughughug*
Steroids are a mixed blessing. They work for a lot of things.
Pretty much any medical problem related to inflammation responds well to steroids, but they cause a lot of trouble if you are on them long term.
Steroids are the body’s stress hormones. They adjust the controls of your internal system to the “survival mode” for when you are exposed to danger.
One of these effects is that inflammatory problems decrease. Your body doesn’t want to be mounting an inflamed immune response when its trying to stay alive. Unfortunately it does this by lowing the immune system and putting you at risk for infections. It also causes increased appetite, weight gain, poor sleep, and mood instability. All useful to keep you alive in a famine or war, but problematic when we do it to you long term with medicine.
At the same time your symptoms have been pretty miserable too. I have know people that have had to be on daily steroids for years. If you need them, then your doctor can help you manage the symptoms.
There is also the option of occasionally giving you short bursts of them when your symptoms are at there worst.
Good thinking on your doctor’s part to try them.
Good luck, Queen.