steroids

[peglem]

We have only done a 5 day w/ no taper. We were on full dose Keflex at the time. We saw immediate improvement the day after the 1st dose. But by day 5, she seemed to be getting sick.(sinus) A few days later, she started her 1st ever period, and a few days after that had dental surgery (supposed to be for a cavity, but had abcessed), then got really ill- w/ fever and everything- turns out she was cutting all 4 12 year molars (at age 15). The month of October-the steroid was the last week of Sept.-She suddenly seemed to physically mature. It was like the steroid had hit a switch for suppressed maturation. Could have been coincidental- but she had barely any development prior- AA cup, straight hips (no 12 year molars)-then ZOINK-in 1 month she's suddenly a young woman! She didn't have her 2nd period until the end of Dec.-3 months later. The teething seemed to have caused an exacerbation-and she didn't start to recover until the beginning of Dec. when we did the rifampin/augmenten. But, the steroid made a huge difference as far as behavior for the few days she was on it!

[matis_mom]

We had a good experience with steroids. It was a 4-week taper down. It took almost the full month to see results (probably had something to do with the fact that two of my dds had strep the first week!), but he got almost 100% back to normal. There where no side effects at all. It was great to see him back! It was great for him to feel like a huge weight had been lifted of his shoulders. But, a few days later we got the deer-in-the-headlights look again. A couple of days later his sister had impetigo. So, I would say the steroids did work great, it was just unlucky that he got exposed again.

 

We are switching to Augmentin XR 1000mg 2xday and have a script for 3-week burst to get him back again, but we still have not figured out what's up with his sister, so I kind of want to save it for when she is either on abxs or all well again.

 

I am still a bit concerned about using steroids, especially because he is 12 and still has a lot of growing left to do... About how they work, if I understand correctly they bring inflammation down and also slow down the production of antibodies by supressing the immune system. I kind of get the feeling they work to get things back to normal, but don't actually "fix" the immune system they way IVIG would. Now don't ask me to explain this in scientific terms, it's just what I've pieced together in my small mind after reading this forum for endless hours

 

Hope this helps!

 

Isabel

[thereishope]

My son only had a 5 day steroid burst and it was beneficial. But I should also add he received rather soon after we found out he had strep again.

 

 

 

I am also interest in this topic. My pediatrician is willing to do a 5 day burst but not a 30 day taper down as it involves "unecessary risks" in her opinion.

 

It does sound like a few folks have gotten some results with just the 5 day. Motrin works really well for my son so I think a steriod burst would do him wonders.

[melanie]

How much of the steroid would you typically use 15 yr old 140 lbs on clindmycin

[GAmom]

Thank you for your help Debbie. I really appreciate it.

 

GA Mom,

 

Welcome to the forum. I do not want your post to get lost over here. If you click on "New Topic" (upper right of the PANDAS forum), you can post any questions under a new thread. Sorry you find yourself here, but you will get lots of information and wonderful support from a very caring group.

 

Debbie