Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
158 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes Weight Gain When On Treatment For MS And Diabetes?

I have just had a multiple Sclerosis relapse. Rather than gfoing into hpospitsal for 5 dayb and having the IV Hyrdocortisone, I was give oral Methylpredinisolone 500mg for 5 days, 200mg for 5 days, 100mg for 3 day. I am now charted a weaning course of prednisone 100mg for 2 days, 80 for 2 days, 60 for 2 days, 40 mg for 2, 20 for 2 days, 10 for 2, 5mg for 2. I have 2 questions. I gave gained 5 kilos since starting this course. I'm an RN so I know that weight comes with the territory but as I wean off, will much of this weight come off as I return rto my normal activities. Also I'm a Type 1 Diabetic so my blood sugars have been elevated so have been managing my insulin accordingly. I am starting to see some leveling out but I still have approximately 12 days too go, Can I still expect to see gradual reduction. I'm on Glargine BD and I was initially told to double this when on the high doses Medrol. Now this is too much but I guess I need ideas about a decreasing sliding scale. I am talking with my doctors and nurses but just wondering if you could give me some ideas.
posted on Tue, 18 Feb 2014
Twitter Tue, 18 Feb 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 19 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on
Report Abuse
Neurologist,  's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for posting your query.

It is unusual to start oral steroids for treating a relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS). The usual and standard treatment for an MS relapse is to give a five day course of IV methylprednisolone. A tapering schedule of steroids over the next 2-3 weeks is not deemed necessary.

I agree with you that the weight gain and elevated sugars are related to the steroid use, and once you stop the steroids, both would normalize.

I hope my reply has helped you.

I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information.
     
Best wishes,
Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad,
For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar
My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/
I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Medrol


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes Weight Gain When On Treatment For MS And Diabetes?

Hi, Thank you for posting your query. It is unusual to start oral steroids for treating a relapse of multiple sclerosis (MS). The usual and standard treatment for an MS relapse is to give a five day course of IV methylprednisolone. A tapering schedule of steroids over the next 2-3 weeks is not deemed necessary. I agree with you that the weight gain and elevated sugars are related to the steroid use, and once you stop the steroids, both would normalize. I hope my reply has helped you. I would be pleased to answer, if you have any follow up queries or if you require any further information. Best wishes, Dr Sudhir Kumar MD (Internal Medicine), DM (Neurology) Senior Consultant Neurologist Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, For DIRECT QUERY to me: http://bit.ly/Dr-Sudhir-kumar My blog: http://bestneurodoctor.blogspot.com/