hhkos
01-05-2007, 07:00 PM
I finally decided to take another short course of methylprednisolone (6 days in diminishing doses.) I know how dangerous this drug can be, but I've only taken it 2 other times in my life, each time for the same short course, and the last time I took it was about a year ago, so it was pretty safe to take again. The other times I took it, it worked immediately and very well for my pain (left lower buttock pain which I've had for 18 months.)
This time it's not doing a thing! I'm near the end of the 6 days, and it has always worked immediately in the past! The neurologist who prescribed it said to call her after the 6+ days, after I got pain relief and at the same time that the pain begins to come back. (It always does with me.) And then she'll put me on a month-long course of very low doses of this same drug. (I was thrilled to comply even though I'm aware of how harmful this drug can be because no other pain reliever has helped.) But now I think I've decided not to do the month-long course because this time it didn't give me any relief at all!
Everything has been ruled out as to what's causing this pain. I've had many studies done by many doctors. It's not my lower back afterall, it's not piriformis syndrome, not the hip, not anything rheumatologic. I've taken every over-the counter pain med and prescription NSAI, have had physical therapy, lots of injections, tons of ice, rest, electric stim, heat, massage, etc. Nothing has helped this pain. I was sure this 6 day course of methylprednisolone would help, but it hasn't!
***What I do know is that I have tendinitis at the ischial tuberosity, and trochanteric bursitis, too. Both of those are inflammation, so why hasn't the methylprednisolone worked??!
I like this neurologist a lot; she was thorough, listened to my long story, spent time on my films, MRIs, CTs, all reports, etc. She's going to confer w/a colleague to see if one more nerve conduction test is necessary, but since the previous one showed nothing, I'm not too hopeful.
I am beginning to think this will never be resolved & that I'll be in pain forever. And I don't want to be thinking that way!
And what makes it all the more frustrating is that there was no initial accident or incident of any kind to cause this pain.
I'm sorry this became so long; I just don't know what to do anymore.
Thanks for letting me vent here.
- Hilary
This time it's not doing a thing! I'm near the end of the 6 days, and it has always worked immediately in the past! The neurologist who prescribed it said to call her after the 6+ days, after I got pain relief and at the same time that the pain begins to come back. (It always does with me.) And then she'll put me on a month-long course of very low doses of this same drug. (I was thrilled to comply even though I'm aware of how harmful this drug can be because no other pain reliever has helped.) But now I think I've decided not to do the month-long course because this time it didn't give me any relief at all!
Everything has been ruled out as to what's causing this pain. I've had many studies done by many doctors. It's not my lower back afterall, it's not piriformis syndrome, not the hip, not anything rheumatologic. I've taken every over-the counter pain med and prescription NSAI, have had physical therapy, lots of injections, tons of ice, rest, electric stim, heat, massage, etc. Nothing has helped this pain. I was sure this 6 day course of methylprednisolone would help, but it hasn't!
***What I do know is that I have tendinitis at the ischial tuberosity, and trochanteric bursitis, too. Both of those are inflammation, so why hasn't the methylprednisolone worked??!
I like this neurologist a lot; she was thorough, listened to my long story, spent time on my films, MRIs, CTs, all reports, etc. She's going to confer w/a colleague to see if one more nerve conduction test is necessary, but since the previous one showed nothing, I'm not too hopeful.
I am beginning to think this will never be resolved & that I'll be in pain forever. And I don't want to be thinking that way!
And what makes it all the more frustrating is that there was no initial accident or incident of any kind to cause this pain.
I'm sorry this became so long; I just don't know what to do anymore.
Thanks for letting me vent here.
- Hilary