With all the traveling I had been doing and with MS symptoms bubbling up under the surface, I was concerned that a full blown relapse might occur during vacation. A single pulse of steroids would have been welcome during all of this, as much as steroids are welcome at any time with their pros and cons.
I ended up calling my neuro's office to ask for a prescription of oral steroids to take with me 'just in case' on my last trip, the cruise to Alaska. I didn't want to wait up and need to rely upon the ship's doctor who would likely have no clue with to do with me, nor the treatment necessary.
Trust is necessary in this situation where I'm calling out of the blue making an unusual request. Turns out that my nurse practitioner did fill my request and I took a bottle of Decadron with me on the trip. Fortunately, I didn't need to use the steroids and fortunately I have a good relationship with my healthcare providers.
Read more about this story:
Trust Between Doctor and Patient is Vital: MS, Steroids, and Vacation
Great to be prepared and have an understanding partner/NP. Plus nobody really wants to take decadron without needing to.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you have a good relationship. But I always remember a neuro once told me he likes to give his MS patients want. It served as his way of fighting off stress that could lead to an exacerbation.
ReplyDeleteNicole