Sorry for all the questions but I'm due to have my first infusion next week. How many side effects can I expect from this?? and what are the main side effects you suffered from, thanks.I'm not sure I've even heard of that before. I wish you luck with it though. Methylprednisolone is what we call here in the US Medrol -- it's a steriod infusion. What you can expect is to feel a whole lot better overall -- and maybe ravenously hungry. There are several different forms of steroids used to treat RA, they aren't the anabolic kind to make your muscles huge. They cut down on inflammation. These are the kinds of drugs also used to keep people from rejection translanted organs. They can greatly knock your immune system back. They can also raise your blood sugar even if you aren't diabetic. They can cause you to swell in your extremeties. They can also give you ulcers if taken in large quantities by mouth. They can also make you ravenously hungry. They can cause mania too. Sleeplessness. The good part is that when you have RA it can help stop the swelling in and around your joints and stop some of the pain. I hate when I have to take it but when I do, I almost always feel better. I hope it helps you :)
Like most adrenocortical steroids, methylprednisolone is typically used for its anti-inflammatory effects. However, glucocorticoids have a wide range of effects, including changes to metabolism and immune responses. The list of medical conditions for which methlyprednisolone is prescribed is rather large, and is similar to other corticosteroids such as prednisolone. Common uses include arthritis therapy and short-term treatment of bronchial inflammation or acute bronchitis due to various respiratory diseases. It is used both in the treatment of acute periods and long-term controlling of autoimmune diseases, most notably SLE.
Methylprednisolone has serious side effects if taken long-term, including weight gain, glaucoma, osteoporosis and psychosis, especially when overdosed. The most serious side effect occurs after the adrenal glands cease natural production of cortisone, which methylprednisolone will replace. Abrupt cessation of the drug after this occurs can result in a condition known as Addisonian crisis, which can be fatal. To prevent this, the drug is usually prescribed with a tapering dosage, including a pre-dosed "dose pack" detailing a specific number of pills to take at designated times over a six day period.
Alternative treatments to many of the conditions currently indicated for methlyprednisolone are actively being researched. Additionally, new drugs such as budesonide are being created, which provide similar benefits but without the adrenal suppression problems.
I don't know anything about it. Hope it works. If not, you might check out www.roadback.org There are several gals in the UK on Minocin I think.