Treatment of an MS attack is carried out with strong anti-inflammatory medicines known as corticosteroids, which are steroid hormones thatcontain cortisone. Corticosteroids are administered orally or intravenously (injected).
Continuous treatment over several months using low doses of a cortisone preparation is not generally recommended, as this approach will not result in any long-term influence on the illness and long-term cortisone therapy can result in severe side effects. These include premature bone decalcification, abnormal development of body fat, cloudiness of the eye lens, high blood pressure and diabetes.
As cortisone increases acid production in the stomach, antacid or acid-restrictive drugs should be taken as a preventive measure. A slight increase in weight is mainly attributable to increased water retention, which rapidly disappears once the treatment has ended.
Corticosteroids can raise blood sugar, but this will not necessarily have an adverse affect on someone with MS, unless they also have diabetes. Some people may suffer from acne as a result of the medication. In the short-term, psychological changes may occur, ranging from exalted moods to symptoms of depression, possible feelings of agitation, and occasionally, disturbed sleep. These symptoms disappear once the treatment ends.
