Experience with IV steroids

Hi there

As for my experience of IV steroids:
- for me it was less a case of working immediately and rather oral had stopped working. They certainly did the job within the week so I could go back onto oral. The whole idea is that they are more direct so should be quicker.
- length of time depends on health. I had 7 days of four drips a day (occasionally substituted by a bolus (sp?) when I could convince them to save the hour long drip). As they were given at regular intervals always meant getting woken up for one at night.
- I have had no worse side effects that I'm aware of due to the IVs ... But had no option as I too couldn't have continued otherwise.

Been admitted twice in last 12mths for IV steroids ... And was glad of them!

Good luck.

Between morphine and IV steroids, my 10/10 pain was 0/10 the next day. The BMs took longer to sort out and never became totally normal, i.e. 1 solid stool a day. I was still having loose BMs, just the frequency was much reduced. My inflammatory markers dropped dramatically, the fevers disappeared, etc.

Spent about 4 days on IV steroids, then was transferred to 40mg oral Pred.

Didn't notice any worse side-effects. I just felt good on them, tbh. I felt far better on high doses of steroids than I ever do nowadays.

The sting in the tail is that they don't keep on working. If you can't find another med which puts you into remission, then you're looking at several more hospitalisations and courses of IV steroids until eventually you give in and go for surgery. And the more courses of steroids you take, the more you become dependent on them, until finally you cannot get off them at all.

You're welcome.

Do not fear. I was put on IV steroids for 6 days in the hospital last summer and had a good experience. Seriously. This was also my first time with that rodeo.

They will likely give you an iv port. Mine was in my wrist area. I was also on 40mg, but they gave me 20 in the morning and 20 in the evening. The nurse came in twice a day and injected it right into the port. Didn't hurt at all...not the injection or the port itself.

I also didn't gain weight at all. I was on the IV steroids for 6 days followed by 8 weeks of taper on oral at home. I actually lost weight. I looked fab! Just stay away from salt completely and you'll be ok. The only annoying side effects that I had from prednisone (IV and oral) were that I couldn't sleep very much and I had some pretty bad muscle weakness. When they would give me my dose of IV steroids, I would also get a bit flushed and get a huge burst of energy right away. It was actually kind of awesome...one night I was so energized that organized and cleaned in my hospital room at 2am. The next morning, they came in, saw it, and decided to give me my nighttime dose a bit earlier from then on out .

As for effectiveness, the IV steroids didn't "fix" me, but they improved me enough and got me close enough OK to let oral steroids and lialda work together to do their job.

You WILL be ok. I'm sure of it.

I was in the hospital for about 3 weeks and I was on iv steroids for most of the time
Here are some tips for the hospital
1. Bring lots of comfortable pajamas- you will feel so much better when you are not in a hospital gown that rides up and gets sweaty
2. Bring your own shampoo and conditioner toothpaste mouthwash moisturizer etc... Theirs are not as good and you will feel better when you are clean
3. Bring snacks you like so you are not hungry
4. Bring lots of chargersfor your devices
5. Ask the doctor to prescribe no vitals during the night so they don't come in at all ridiculous hours to wake you up
6. As soon as you are able to keep down enough fluid you can ask for the constant fluids to be disconnected and only attached when you need drugs- it makes getting to the bathroom much easier
7. Ask the doctor to prescribe 10pm labs
Many bigger hospitals don't mind and that way the "vampires" don't need to come in to wake you up at 445 am
Good luck and hope you don't have to stay there too long

How much did the oral steroids not work? Did they do anything at 40mg for example? If not, then the ER doctor is right. If oral steroids worked initially then stopped working as you tapered down, the IV steroids should still work.

Never mind! I just re-read your first post. Your doctors may decide to try Remicade if the IV steroids don't work: it depends how severe they think your case is. One way or another I hope your flare-up ends soon.

The first steroids I ever had were IV! I was very newly diagnosed and nobody had explained to me what steroids were, so I had nooo idea why I was suddenly so high. I couldn't stop laughing, and went around chatting to all the people in my ward (I had horrific anxiety at the time, so this was very out of character). My parents thought I was becoming delusional.

But yes, as far as UC symptoms go, they worked a treat. I was on them for four days, with instant results.

I've been told the steroids given through the IV are not the same as oral pred. They are stronger but as I will only be on them very short term then it shouldn't get too nun side effects. I suppose all I can do at this point is put my faith in god and give them a go. And hope for the best.

Well I've been told I will be on the IV steroids for 2 days and then back to oral ones. This is all the doctors fault who reduced my azathioprine. I never would have been in this situation had it not done that and I'm never going to take his advice so lightly again.

I am taking very high dose calcium and vitamin d three times a day and plenty of fluid. I am going to fight this and I am determined not to get long term side effects. The registrar said it's unlikely just from two days of steroids.

Had my third dose of steroid now. I feel good but BM not much better yet. Still lots of blood and painful cramps. But doc said my CRP went from 3 on Tuesday to 60 by yesterday! So will take a few days for inflammation to come down.

Hope you see some results ASAP!

Here's hoping for continued improvements, and better health, we're all rooting for you here. Cheers

Well I have had a few doses of the IV steroid now and it does not seem to be helping :( my CRP is actually increasing and has gone from 60 to 80 in a day.

So looks like flexi sig tomorrow and then remicade. No would welcome any good experiences with remicade from those of you that have been on it and that have had it in the past. Has it worked well and did you get instant results? The doc said they will need to test if I have a inclination for TB before they start treatment as there is that risk which is worrying. But all drugs have risks I suppose. What is the actual procedure like? I already have an IV in my arm so I presume they will use the same one.

I am starting to lose the will power a little. My little baby girl is at home asking for mummy and I miss and yearn for her with all my heart. I am stuck in this hell hole and this monster just seems to be getting worse.

I fear I am close to breaking point