MS & Prednisone Treatments
Multiple Sclerosis, or MS, is a disease that affects the central nervous system. Its symptoms include numbness, double vision, bladder control problems, vertigo, difficulty walking, dysarthria and fatigue. Many people also experience depression and other emotional problems according to the University of Utah. Unfortunately, there is no cure for MS, but prednisone can be used to treat the symptoms.
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Function
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Taking prednisone can help to reduce the length and severity of your MS symptoms because it reduces inflammation. Prednisone helps to close "the damaged blood-brain barrier and reduce inflammation in the central nervous system" according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. It also helps to reduce "cell-mediated immunity" according to the University of Utah.
Dosage
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Many doctors recommend starting your treatment at a high dose. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, most patients begin taking prednisone intravenously at a very high dose four times a day. The doses are spread out over the course of the day. Then over the next five to six weeks, you should continue taking the medication orally. During this time, you'll be constantly stepping down to lower doses.
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Prednisone Side Effects
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Some people experience side effects after taking prednisone. These include indigestion and stomach problems according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Also, it may lower your immune system, and for this reason you should try to limit your exposure to infectious diseases while taking prednisone. Prednisone can also cause mood swings that vary from being "relatively mild to extremely intense, and can vary in a single individual from one course of treatment to another."
Warning
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Rarely, some people have experienced more severe side effects. According to the American Academy of Neurology, a small group of people became "hypomanic or manic during treatment" with prednisone. Most of the people affected had a history of depression or alcoholism. Also, some less common side effects include weight gain, high blood pressure, menstrual problems and hair loss according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Other Medication Options
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Prednisone is a steroid. It is part of a group of steroids called corticosteroids which means cortisone-like medicines. According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, other corticosteroids also reduce inflammation. If prednisone doesn't work for you there are other choices. Some other corticosteroids that have been used to treat MS are dexamethasone, betamethasone and prednisolone.
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