Steroid Burst for Lyme?

[Wilma Jenks]

Do they do steroid bursts for people w/ Lyme?

[lss]

Wilma,

 

It is my understanding that people with Lyme or co-infections should not have steroids.

[ptcgirl]

We were also told NOT to use steroids for Lyme or TBI.

[lyme_mom]

Absolutely not-not even for a day.

[butterflymom]

=

Edited October 9, 2015 by tampicc

[mommakath]

Do they do steroid bursts for people w/ Lyme?

Our LLMD has said not in long bursts but okay for the 6 days we do it when we do IVIG. He said he doesn't like the longer tapers and bursts as they suppress the immune system too much. I asked it 5 times as we had done a long burst and taper before we knew were lymies and now we do the short ones for IVIG only.

[LNN]

I have to agree with those who say as a general rule, not a good idea, but in certain circumstances, for limited duration, it can be warranted. Being able to breath is certainly more important than avoiding steroids at all costs. In my personal experience, we used steroid tapers (30 days) twice before we know about lyme and I have no regrets. The Pandas flair was just as debilitating as any temporary gain we may have given the bacteria. Sometimes you do what you need to, picking the lesser of two evils.

 

Now, I would not turn to prednisone unless things were extreme, and I do agree they should be more of a last resort or very short term option. But knowing you just completed a course, I wouldn't beat yourself up about it.