Hump symptoms and conditions

I have been on prednisone since November 2007 for minimal change disease, 65 mg, in May I started to decrease the dosage (per Drs. orders) and by the time I got to 15 mg all my symptoms came back and I swelled up again. I was again put on a higher dosage of prednisone and put on Cytoxan 75 mg. I am now decreasing prednisone, back to 15 mg every other day and will be off Cytoxan next month. Hopefully this will work. Right now my main complaint of side effects is chest pressure, anything I eat or drink makes my stomach swell and I feel like I can never take a full breath. I recently had chest and abdoman xrays and an ultrasound, all negative. Does anyone have this symptom? I also have moon face, weight gain, hump on back, insomnia, headaches, digestive problems ,shakes, night sweats, vision problems, extreme tiredness and hair loss. How long before all this goes away?

It is scary to read everyone's posts on this drug. I also had two shots of Kenalog within the past 3 months for a problem in my cervical spine. I had mild side effects from the first shot, but since the second one, the side effects have gotten more severe. I've gained 15 lbs (and I've been on a strict diet so there's no reason to have gained that weight). Also, after the second shot I had absolutely excruciating joint pain in my knees and ankles, my face is puffy, I have a hump on my back in between my shoulders, my resting heart rate is up at about 108, and I have random stretch marks on my thighs. I believe that all of these side effects are from the Kenalog because I've always been very healthy and in excellent shape and have never had health problems until now. My dr. did all kinds of blood tests and an EKG and everything came back normal, which also tells me the problems are from the drug. This shot was the biggest mistake of my life! My dr. is still insisting that my problems aren't from the shot and he wanted to do a third injection. I said ABSOLUTELY NO! I went and got a second opinion, and my new dr. said that all of these side effects are from the massive amounts of Kenalog that was pumped into my spine and I'm on a new treatment plan. I am against these types of injections. It has caused me more harm then good.

My daughter is a chronic asthmatic and has been on Prednisone for over one year. Since then she has experienced headaches, nausea, sleeplessness, depression, extreme anxiety, mood swings, blurred vision, aching... just about all of the side effects listed. Of particular concern to me are the mood swings, which at this time we are considering having her evaluated. I didn't realize that this drug could do soo much in terms of her behavior. Please help me to understand what is going on with her. She is 12 years old.

Hi! I am a 36 year old female and have been on this HORRIBLE HORRIBLE drug (prednisone) for 2 1/2 years now..... Hopkins doctors still arent sure exactly what i have. My immune system is attacking my liver so to speak. My body is basically looking at my liver like it doesnt belong and is attacking it with large multiple lesions that is eating it away... the good thing is that it hasnt interupted the functioning of it yet but is leaving horrible scar tissue. I have been in and out of the hospital 13 times, have had just about every test imangable, 12 liver biopsies and they STILL have NO clue! They are leaning towards Church Straus desease and Wegners but the weird thing is i have half symptoms of both. The first year they had me on 80 mgs of prednisone a day which had seemed to put me in remission for about 4 months and then they came back even worse so i was put back on the prednisone, 80 mgs a day AGAIN along with 100 cc's of Methotrexate, another not so nice drug... i had EVERY SINGLE BAD SIDE EFFECT OF BOTH DRUGS!! This second time around was ALOT WORSE for some reason!!! My body DID NOT LIKE IT!! Nausea, hair loss, moon face, gained 40 pounds (and i was in great shape, worked out, i am 5'4 and was 110 pds!), EVERYTHING was swollen, legs, ankles, arms, neck, face, had the camel hump, fingers and especially my belly!!! UGH!!! Have bone, muscle, and SEVERE joint pain! Kaliedescope vision, dry eyes and then had mucus discharge (kindof like pinkeye), headaches, intestinal problems.... VERY CONSTIPATED and then the opposite!!! I literally felt as if i had turned into a man in my behind!!! Sorry to be so gross but thats how bad it was!!! Jaw problems, teeth and gums as well, skin sensitivity and have little bumps all over my skin (kindof like tiny little moles), itchy, broke out with acne and pretty much NEVER had more than 1 pimple a month, had facial hair (VERY DISGUSTING!!!! HAD IT WAXED EVERY WEEK!!!!) and then on top of all of that the swelling of my liver not to mention the PAIN! I was recently in the hospital again with 12 new lesions, pneumonia, and 104 fever. My doctors said the Methotrexate was the cause and i was having a bad reaction to it so they now have me on 100mgs per day of Azathiroprine. I am now finally down to a maintenance dose of 5 mgs of prednisone cause my body was starting to reject that as well. I thank god that i am now down to that dose!!!! It as only been 2 wks and the withdrawl symptoms are horrible worse then they were but i know what is to come =) loosing all this fluid and all of the HORRIBLE side effects i listed above. I will have to be on the maintenance dose of 5mgs the rest of my life and can live with that cause when my body gets back to somewhat normal i wont even notice that im on this CRAP!! I will be on the high dose of Azathiroprine for a few years and then on a maintenance dose of that as well for the rest of my life to keep whatever this is that i have under control.... the scary thing is is that they arent even sure that all of these meds will even work...... im a guinea pig..... The only thing that i am on out of all 25 pills/meds that i take everyday that works is my pain meds. Oh and i also forgot to mention that i had to be put on some "HEAD CASE" medication (thats what i call it =) ) for depression. Its a low dose but it does seem to help... I am terrified of what the future holds but continue to be strong and have an amazing support team... my fiance and family =) I dont even want to think about how i would be without them. I go back on the 25th of this month for my MRI so please who ever reads this keep me in your prayers as for all of you are in mine. I feel for each and everyone of you that has to endure this horrible drug everyday and i hope that everything works out you. =)

Sue =)

I just started using Nuvaring yesterday. Just 7-8 hours later I started feeling nauseus and extremely tired. I've felt the same way all day today. I've also been dizzy to the point of feeling like I can barely stand up.

I thought I ate something bad or had the stomach flu, but I'm pretty certain it's a reaction to Nuvaring. I've had bad side effects with Yasmin too(intestinal problems, etc.), so my doctor thought Nuvaring might be a better solution.

If this is what is causing my symptoms, it's not worth it. I'm going to stop using it today.

Hi Sarah

Thanks

Iam going to try and wean off of it in one month I cant stand having something foreign in my body!
I dont take pills I dont even know why I took Yaz I guess because my doctor said it would be good for a ovarian cyst I had and I trusted her!!

I cant sleep either now dont know if its the Lexapro or the Yaz help its horrible!!!!

Does anyone know if it is going to be no problem to stop the Lexapro.
my doctor said she isnt treating me for anxiety but a induced anxiety so I should be able to come off easy Iam terrified of stopping and feeling this way again!

B12.......I was taking liquid B12 drops???
But than my doctor told me it was adding to the anxiety
I believe in my bloodwork B12 was tested but not positive if not I will go get it checked via bloodwork!

Had to have a mouth cyst removed today yes induced by the stress of Yaz by a ENT he said to be careful with Xanax and any antidepressants. He said that it appeared that the anxiety wasnt leaving no matter what I tried....eating drinking alot vitamins walking baths massages acupuncture. I was getting massages 3 times a week.

The anxiety wouldnt pass I still have it some today
But I wanted to heal all on my own not by another drug
So frustrating

Dejay is well she was in a bad way she was crying every day losing weight I was in the ER once a week she was in her bathroom.
Our symptoms were so severe I lost my job she couldnt take care of her family and we were crying suffering every single day with no relief it was the most horribliest thing in my life.

I just need some advice on if anyone thinks in 30 days I will be over the hump and the anxiety gone??? So i can stop the Lexapro???

Please advise

I have ulcerative colitis and have been on and off Prednisone for 3 years. Usually about 40 milligrams and tapering. I always noticed sensitive teeth and leaky leg veins/ swelling and discolored. That was all really. Then in April this year, during a bad flare, was put on 120 milligrams (accident by Dr or Pharmacist) for two weeks then 80 mg for several weeks then 60 until I could get on Remicade and finally get off the stuff in August. I gained 30 lbs while on a strict no sugar, specific carb diet, from size 12-18, moon face, triple chin, hump on back, big stretchmarks under my arms, fallen uterus and bladder now needing surgery, lost my voice, glaucoma and cataracts, cholesterol went from 189 to 318, leg and hand cramps daily and nightly, now am experiencing intense joint pain in every joint of my body. My legs and ankles swelled up terribly and now I have to wear support hose constantly. Since getting off Prenisone in mid August til now mid October, my face and neck have been returning to normal, friends mentioned last night my face looked more normal (I was hating seeing myself in the mirror or a picture). My teeth are terribly sensitive, even room temperature wine (acid?), hot or cold.

I've been tapering for 7 months since my last infusion of pred, I started in June 2005 with 1000mg a day for 3-5 days in a row, I've had about 4 of them at 1000mg for 3-5 days afterwards I tapered from 180mg a day each time and am now down to 3mg's daily, my total since this eye disease started is about 30,000mg of prednisone, it's the only thing that gets my vision back and eye pain to go away. the sleepless nights, extreme hunger, hump on my neck, swollen legs...I hate this stuff but even with taking methotrexate, I still need it. visit my site www.daicompacific.com/thyroid.htm to see what I've been through. Thanks Steve Duran

I have been on Prednisone for 4 months for sudden Rheumatoid Arthritis, while waiting for back surgery for a herniated disc. Drs. say the two are not connected in any way. I was taking 10 mg.per day, being weaned off and now at 2 mg. per day. I have gained 45 lbs in these 4 months. I have the moon face, neck hump, HUGE abdomen (looks like I an 9 months pregnant) I am depressed, on pills for that. I want to be off this drug and never come back. The weight gain is terrible. I am 5 ft tall and usually 115 lbs. I won't go out anywhere and get my family to do shopping etc. I am not a happy person at all, I cry a lot.

Heather

I'm a 36 y/o female battling the side effects from Kenalog. I developed Cushing Syndrom (moon face, hump on back, easily brusing). I had my 1st shot in Dec 05 and 2nd Jan 06. I bleed heavily for three months straght. I still have the moon face and this horrible hump on my back. I ended up having to get a hysorectomy. I plan on getting a lawyer, but the Doctors I spoke with never heard of these effects with a shot. The more support I have the better chance I have. I'm constantly depressed looking this fat. Plus I gain 20 lbs in 1 month. This drug sux and I would never recomend it to anyone.

So Jules, 5 mg a day for a few weks and you're the expert ?

You need to read the posts here a little closer. Some of us had aninitial dose of 1000 mg.. then anything from 30 to over 100 mg per day. There are side effects ! As one other said: we sought out the information AFTER the side effects were noted. Perhaps some are convenient like the voracious appetite (oh voracious means unstoppable just in case you needed to know.)

The point is the majority of side effects are known, are not psychosomatic (that means imaginary), and certainly NOT for you to criticize. That you had little or none you can thank a higher being. To criticize those who are suffering ... that is beyond cruel.

(I for one like the extra facial hair!!)

Fact is, so many feeling so badly can't be so wrong. There's smoke you can be sure there's fire.

BY THE WAY. To continue my tale of pred !!

I've been on 5 mgs per day since early July and nearly all of the effects have diminished. The fatty deposits are nearly gone (finally) the buffalao hump is just about gone. The sugar is better, blood pressure is down, the appetite is under control and the acne is different .. but better. Truly different than just a few weeks ago. Perhaps not as obvious to others but I certainly knew that it wasn't my face staring back at me. The old one is now back !!

There is hope !!!

facial mooning , bloating , tingling in arms and feet, moody some days, cammel hump, weight gain which has stabalized but did gain aprox. 30 lbs. first few months. I've weaned down to 15 mgs from 50 mgs a day I've been on it for for 7 months. Every 2 weeks i go down 5 mgs. untill i get to 10mgs then I will go down 2 1/2 mgs. every 2 weeks untill I'm done. The side effects are still strong How long does it take to feel relief from them??? Does the hump go away??

I posted previously on April 14, 2004. I should have mentioned that I experienced most of the side effects listed in other postings, but only mentioned the side effects I did not see in the forum. Two more I haven't seen mentioned: the Prednisone "hump" at the top of my back...it is a pad of fat that builds up the longer you are on Prednisone. The other side effect did not show up right away: Osteopenia, which is the stage between normal bone mass and Osteoporosis. I am now taking Fosomax to help prevent further bone loss.