Methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) Experence
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January 31, 2014 at 1:16 am
Hello,
My CIDP has flared up and PE alone isn’t stopping this relapse. Progressively been getting weaker since last summer and recently started re-using Canadian crutches in addition to AFO’s. I last used the Canadian C’s about 10 years ago. This week I started Methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) treatments. The regime is daily infusions for 4 consecutive days of 500mg Methylprednisolone (Solumedrol), every 4 weeks for six months. PE will continue, but not during the infusions. I was diagnosed with CIDP ~20 years ago. Been avoiding steroid usage due to the side effects. Over the years I’ve done many forms of theraphy’s, Cytoxin, IVIG, Cellcept, Imuran and PE(plasmaexchange). PE has kept me going, cytoxin worked the best, but didn’t cure the CIDP. IVIG reacted adversely during each infusion and the cellcept and Imuran showed no relief.
My question to the readers is, “Has anyone else undergone Methylprednisolone (Solumedrol) infusions in this manner?” If so, “How did you respond to the infusions?” For those readers who use/used prednisone oral steriods, feel free to reply, knowing your dosage would be appreciated.
I’ll be honest, this relapse scares me. My gant and strength are sliding and I ain’t getting any younger. Most people in their mid 50’s are looking to loose pounds heck, I want to gain some muscle mass!
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January 31, 2014 at 3:56 am
Have you considered having SCIg treatments? If you have adverse reactions to IVIg, SCIg could be a treatment you would tolerate much better and get the same benefits as from IVIg. You can read more about it here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2817783
Prednisone the pill – I took 60MG for about 18 months. It did help take my immune system off-line so it could no longer produce the bad lymphocytes (T-cells, B-cells, and NK cells) that no longer recognized “self” and damaged my Myelin and Axons. The PE removed the bad lymphocytes that were already released in my bloodstream. The IVIg treatments did little for me after I was on Prednisone.
I had many adverse reactions from taking the Prednisone (cataracts, shingles, fungal infections, thin skinned, more). The way I look at it, is that Prednisone is the lesser of the two evils when compared to CIDP. I would reluctantly take it again if I fell out of remission.
Are you taking Alpha Lapoic Acid? I’ve been taking 1200MG per day. There was a clinical trial last year using it to treat CIDP, the results and findings are not yet published. Other members here have reported good results with ALA. The clinical trial: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00962429
Since CIDP is so individualized, everyone seems to respond differently to the various treatments and the outcome of the treatment will usually determine its duration of use. I hope your treatment plan works well for you and gets you back on your feet soon so you can rebuild that muscle mass!
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February 26, 2015 at 2:42 pm
I was wondering how long Solu medrol should take to work if it is going to work? I received 1000mg four days ago and still don’t feel any relief of symptoms. I don’t feel any of the side effects I expected either. I alos just started 12mg of Methotrexate and the steroids were supposed to help until the immunosuppressent kicked in.
@randyB damn! You yave been strufgling with CIDP for a very long time. You should be leading a support group. I am in my fifties also and have had Crohns Disease since my teens. I was dx with CIDP three years ago and it has been a struggle ever since. iVig helped my symptoms for a while but always made me very sick that I had no life. I have been attempting to minimize (with solu medrol, prednisone etc) to lessen and live with the side effects bc it kept me walking. However, I had my gallbladder removed six months ago and since then, IVig stopped working. Plus the side effects got worse and I began having severe chest pain during and after infusions. So now trying the Methotrexate/solu medrol route.
Since my infusion with solu medrol was only five days ago, I can’t tell you how I will respond. Since your post was a while ago, I am hoping you’ll get this and tell me how you are doing. Did the solu medrol work? Did you go back to Cytoxin? I hope you are well.
ho Jim LA, I saw you mentioned SCig. Have you tried that? I have heard that there are less side effects but I also read that it you have to be stable before you do it because it’s more of a maintainence therapy. Did it work for you? I have ordered Lipoic acid and am waiting fir it to arrive. I also read promising things about it. These clinical trials take so long to post! Thanks to both of you and I hope you are both well.
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February 26, 2015 at 5:34 pm
SCIg is a subcutaneous injection/shot given into the fat layer between the skin and muscle. Many people can administer SCIg themselves; I’m not one of those. I’m overly sensitive to anything puncturing my skin and these shots really stinged me, so I discontinued them. I’ve since had a few other types of subcutaneous shots and tolerated them as long as they were given v e r y slowly.
Regarding Solu-Medrol: Methylprednisolone is one of a group of corticosteroids (cortisone-like medications) that are used to relieve inflammation in different parts of the body and lower autoimmune system responses (in the case of CIDP). Here is a summary about autoimmune disorders: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000816.htm
Here are what a few other CIDPers have to say about Solu-Medrol:
https://forum.gbs-cidp.org/topic/in-a-mess-with-solumedrol-please-help
https://forum.gbs-cidp.org/topic/ivig-and-solu-medrol-both-for-cidp-double-kill
http://www.livingwithcidp.org/forum/topics/solu-medrol?page=1&commentId=6385450%3AComment%3A19643&x=1#6385450Comment19643I hope you treatment plans work for you and you find yourself feeling lots better soon! Keep us posted on your progress.
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February 26, 2015 at 5:38 pm
SCIg is a subcutaneous injection/shot given into the fat layer between the skin and muscle. Many people can administer SCIg themselves; I’m not one of those. I’m overly sensitive to anything puncturing my skin and these shots really stinged me, so I discontinued them. I’ve since had a few other types of subcutaneous shots and tolerated them as long as they were given v e r y slowly.
Regarding Solu-Medrol: Methylprednisolone is one of a group of corticosteroids (cortisone-like medications) that are used to relieve inflammation in different parts of the body and lower autoimmune system responses (in the case of CIDP). Here is a summary about autoimmune disorders: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000816.htm
Here are what a few other CIDPers have to say about Solu-Medrol:
https://forum.gbs-cidp.org/topic/in-a-mess-with-solumedrol-please-help
https://forum.gbs-cidp.org/topic/ivig-and-solu-medrol-both-for-cidp-double-kill
http://www.livingwithcidp.org/forum/topics/solu-medrol?page=1&commentId=6385450%3AComment%3A19643&x=1#6385450Comment19643I hope you treatment plans work for you and you find yourself feeling lots better soon! Keep us posted on your progress.
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February 26, 2015 at 5:50 pm
Solu-Medrol
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February 26, 2015 at 6:00 pm
SCIg is a subcutaneous injection/shot given into the fat layer between the skin and muscle. Many people can administer SCIg themselves; I’m not one of those. I’m overly sensitive to anything puncturing my skin and these shots really stinged me, so I discontinued them. I’ve since had a few other types of subcutaneous shots and tolerated them as long as they were given v e r y slowly.
Regarding Solu-Medrol: Methylprednisolone is one of a group of corticosteroids (cortisone-like medications) that are used to relieve inflammation in different parts of the body and lower autoimmune system responses (in the case of CIDP). Here is a summary about autoimmune disorders: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000816.htm
Here are what a few other CIDPers have to say about Solu-Medrol:
https://forum.gbs-cidp.org/topic/in-a-mess-with-solumedrol-please-help
https://forum.gbs-cidp.org/topic/ivig-and-solu-medrol-both-for-cidp-double-killI hope you treatment plans work for you and you find yourself feeling lots better soon! Keep us posted on your progress.
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