My Mother was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis 30 years ago. ...

Hi,

Yes I experienced major psychotic episodes when on was on the prednisone. It was so bad that my psychiatrist told them to get me off it otherwise I would become permanently bi-polar.

They had me on anti-psychotic drugs. It really didn't help that much.

If you can possibly do it get your mother to a naturopath who might be able to deal with the rheutmatism naturally.

I myself take fish oils for my sore joints (as a result of being on prednisone).

It sounds like the meds are driving her nuts. Get her off it as soon as possible but be prepared for major mood swings when she gets off it as her body tries to produce its own cortisone.

I went through hell while my body tried to work it out and I have been off them for three years now and still at times experiences those crazy mood swings which i had on the prednisone.

Good Luck,

Give me an email at paperworkfairy@gmail.com if you want to talk some more :)

My father also had Rheumatoid arthritis and was taking many pills as well, including prednisone. He became crippled and could no longer run his business and was becoming very depressed. He was very lucky to find out about Dr. Carrillo in Mexicali, Mexico. To this day he is still unsure about what he is taking but he takes one pill a day and has zero side effects and says he feels like a kid again. Also, his asthma is now non-existant and diabeties completely under control. My brother has also recently gone to see him and within one week of taking the medicine that dr. carrillo makes individually for each patient, has noticed that his asthma has dissapeered completely. I would strongly recomend going to see him. Visit www.clinicacarrillo.com, and your mother will have her life back, and it is likely cheaper than what you are paying for med's right now($200-$400/year).

Yes. I have also experienced these side effects to an extreme degree after only taking for 5 days and will NEVER take this med again. Loved ones of people who take predisone need to watch them very carefully and I wouldn't let a dr "mask" these psycological side effects with other drugs as they can make the problem worse.

It's called "Prednisone Psychosis". On "mega-doses" psychotic symptoms are induced, which is one of the reasons people aren't allowed or suppose to be put on such high doses for long at all. That is very disappointing the docs are not only not aware? but are actually creating the problem. When I was hospitalized and had a high dose for the first day or so I was told they will be/need to cut me back right away and then I'd taper off at home. My specialist told me this is a well known medical situation, and they don't fool around with it as a standard practice. Would you consider getting a second opinion? Sounds like medical incompetence to me. Best of luck.

My mother was on prednisone. She was given high dosages in the hospital and her pulmonary doctor had her on it. Later, after she became a widow, I found a doctor who said her condition was not alzheimers, vascular dementia, picks disease but prednisone psychosis. I was told it would take two years to get it all out of her system but they didn't know how long the effects would last after that. I've been to hell and back over prednisone and its effects. I'll be taking her to another neurologist. She's never been the same. I just wish there had been more information about it five years ago. Wish me luck in helping her.
Ralea

I was diagnosed with NSIP – Non Specific Interstitial Pneumonitis. My lung capacity was minimal and breathing a little was very difficult. With 60 mgs of prednisone, my lung capacity increased gradually and I was able to breath but not to full capacity. This was a blessing, however, the side effects of prednisone are terrible. I experience weakness, severe fatigue, sensitivity, and confusion, dementia (feeling like my brain was being squeezed), lots of hair loss, eyes blurry, pressure in face (moon face), pressure in head and eyes, knees swollen, legs feeling I had no circulation, chest tightness/fullness, increased smelly sweating underarms, mood swings, bruising easily, cuts not healing as quickly, shoulder, back and hip pain, especially when I laid down; takes 5 to 10 minutes of whimpering pain before it relaxes so I can sleep, red and glossy tearing eyes, thinning skin, restlessness, uncontrollable acne, muscle cramps and muscle weakness (predominantly in thighs and calves), some nausea, weight gain which feels like a large tire around my waist. Not able to read or make sense of anything. Making several attempts to complete tasks and get back to normal is frustrating as the symptoms escalate when I try to complete tasks or try to walk for more than 5 minutes). Trying to do things or encountering stress severely worsens/aggravates the disease and side effects of prednisone. I was confined to a recliner all day to rest and sleep due to 60 mgs of Prednisone. The doctors started scaling back the prednisone by 10mgs every two weeks, and then when I reached 20mgs they started scaling back by 2.5mgs every two weeks to avoid my organs shutting down. I have been on prednisone for a total of 4 months so far, currently taking 15mgs. I was on 60 mgs for two months. As I am tapering off, the dementia and confusion are still strong side effects along with some weakness, severe fatigue and severe sensitivity. My husband and I have done a lot of research and have determined my dementia is due to the prednisone. Many of the people who were on prednisone say that once the come off of the medication, the dementia, confusion and brain squeeze goes away.
Side note: I was also diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2004, however my new doctors do not think I have Rheumatoid and suspect the medication (Minocyline) I was given to combat the Rheumatoid possibly caused my lung disease or it was caused by my immune system attacking my lungs. The doctors are still in the process of trying to determine the cause of my Lung disease and also determine which auto immune disease I really have.

i was put on Prednisone for bronchitis. It was that few day pack. By the 16th pill I was hallucinating in the mirror thought my hair was falling out when it was not and also thought I was sinking or turning into a midget. I could turn myself like inside out through the mouth. This was a total nightmare!! Like an acid trip! I landed in the mental hospital, I'm 46 yrs old with no abnormal mental health history what so ever. 4 doctors psychiatrists all said the same, " it was from the prednisone" . I was hospitalized for one week and put on anti psychotic meds to counteract what this prednisone did to me. I lost i month of work with no pay and I have to stay on Geodon until this prednisone comes out of my system. Geodon is an antipsychotic medication that costs $500.00 a month to be on. As of recent they are tapering off of it slowly and the side effects of it make me sleep all the time. I would say to anyone to stay away from prednisone. I understand everyone is different but if a medication can do this to someone this is very dangerous medication.

I've been on Prednisone on and off for 8 years since I had my first child and developed asma and allergies. I HATE taking it. After even one day of being on it I am jumpy, paranoid and livid with everything and everyone. I take xanax to calm me down but sometimes that doesn't even help. Ativan and valium also help. It's horrible when the drug works so good for things but turns you into a jeckle and hyde. It also can make you hurt yourself and/or become suicidal so if and anti-anxiety or psychiotic med is needed I from personal experience would take it even if it does mean havening to wein yourself off of it too. It's better taking something than feeling the way prednisone makes you feel. - good luck

I was diagnosed with RA about 10 years ago,after five years of being on prednisone along with metholtrexate and other drugs,I stopped taking them,my RA hasn't gotten worse but my moodiness has,I was told that prednisone can affect your mental state especially if you have anger,depression or any other mental problems.It's been almost six years since I stopped taking it and still have a very hardtime with anger issues,now I'm having a hardtime even considering taking any drugs.What can be done about this,has anyone researched it?