Side effects of Solu-Medrol

[J33168]

Hi everyone.  I was recently diagnosed with MS in Feb. 2015.  The only symptom I have is difficulty walking.  I am OK when I wake up on the morning and after walking for approximately 20 minutes, I start to "limp".  It is almost like my left leg doesn't want to work correctly.  I then have to sit for approximately 20 minutes and I can than walk normally again.  Last week I went for an infusion of Solu-Medrol.  I had one infusion for 3 days at 3 hrs. each.  I feel pretty good afterwards and am not limping much at all anymore.  My question is regarding side effects of Solu-Medrol.  I realize that everyone is different but is there an average time frame for side effects?  Today is the 3rd day AFTER the infusions were completed.  I have the metal taste in my mouth, I could eat my family out of house and home, I can sleep at night fine but need a nap during the day and I can sometimes be very warm or very chilly.  When it comes to eating, I am eating mostly fruits and vegetables for snacks and regular meals at meal time.   Since I am very new to all of this, can anyone help?    Thank you.

[doublevision1]

Don't stress too much about the weight gain, as it is probably mostly fluid.

[J33168]

Thank you for responding.   I think the side effect that bothers me most is bright light but it stops rather quickly.  When I finish my infusion and leave the hospital the sun is fine.   By the time I get home (about 20 minutes), the sun is way to bright for me and sometimes seems like a fog or haze but then passes and I'm fine.  I used to be a "popaholic" and once this all started, I quit drinking any sugary, carbonated drinks all together and started drinking water and eating fruit, vegetables and walnuts for snacks.  I lost 13 pounds in about 2 weeks.  Now after the infusions, I have put 4 of them back on...ugh!

Best of luck to you in your MS journey as well.  

[davincidanes]

Hi there,
I also had a round of Solu-medrol last week.  It was my second time and the side effects for me are minimal.  I usually have a mild headache, only on the day of infusion... it doesn't last.  The trouble sleeping for a few days, and loss of appetite.  Everything seems to resolve in a week's time, and I'm guessing yours will too.

It seems you side effects are mild and they have definitely helped you, so it's a win-win.

Hugs to you and good luck in you MS journey.

~Linda

[J33168]

I am not sure what my dosage was.  I went and looked at my records that are e-mailed to me and they do not say.  It just states that I have an appointment on 4/21/15 with the Ns Nurse for a 3 hr. infusion.  I have an appointment on 4/30 to check my levels,  I will ask about the dosage.   Technically, I am not sure how long I have had MS.  I was officially diagnosed in 2/15 but the issues with the walking for over 7-8 yrs.  I went to a PT and they said it was probably hip damage from my younger yrs. of gymnastics etc. which didn't make sense.  I finally went to a hip Dr. that thought I had a pinched nerve or something.  He could find anything until he did a MRI and that was when I was diagnosed.    Thank you for responding.

[doublevision1]

Most of the side effects usually last me a week or so. It's great that you can sleep as one of the most common sides effects is insomnia. I have a hard time falling asleep while I'm on them and then my sleep patterns get all messed up. The ravenous hunger and moodiness usually passes in a week as well. I usually don't have the metal taste after the last dose. I retain a lot of fluid from IVSM so I take a diuretic for about a week afterwards.

Three hours is a long time for one dose. I get 1 gram over 30 - 60 minutes. What dose did you get?