PredniSONE side effects

07/28/10, Will what you find years later that doctors don't want you to fine. I just found this site. I had alergy reactions to having to take Prednisone, for allergy reaction for bee and wasp hernet stings. It caused deeper breathing problems and I thought deeper swelling problems. i have not been on this in awhile. but when on it I use to swell in the knees like a balloon. Now my knees give out when ever. I never know when. I also have alot of scar tissue and adhesions, from two c-sections plus aVentral Hernia. My surgeon I feel is scared to do another hernia repair due to scar tissue.

My husband took Methylpred 4mg to get rid of a lingering ear infection. He thought he was losing his mind. He cannot sleep, eat or baraly function.
His doctor said that he has steroid psycosis.
How long will this last??

CANNOT QUIT EATING EVERYTHING IN SIGHT!!! Started on a 20mg taper. 20 for 7 days, 10 for 7 and 5mg for 6 days.
Saw doc on week 2 and it had got rid of my parathesia (bilateral hands) within about a day.....BUT...He decided to stay at 10mg for two more months. If I'm not in prison for murdering him I'll soon be the "Fat Lady" as the next circus rolls into town, with me (lots of new roles and not job related. I have constant insomnia which I spend raiding the fridge. I stopped it for a day and then cut it in half, but I'm anxious, thirsty, moody, itchy and bitchy!
My doc stil hasn't pinpointed my illness other than the usual "fibro- because I don't know- myalgia- size 7 is a nostalgia..... The wonderful "catch-all" for all immune disorders. My ANA titers are well above the 100 range; homogenized and speckled, with my CRP almost triple. I also have hypothyroidism and my TSH was about 14 last time. My liver counts are ALT/AST - 268 AND 165 OR visa versa.CT show slight enlargement of my spleen and a distended gallbladder. The hits just keep on coming!!! I don't dare step on my scale in fear that my worsened depression may end up doing my own lipo and tummy tuck with a razor blade. Haven't slept in 4 nights, even though I took my Norco (doubled it), Xanax (tripled that) and the last of my placebo Ambien.
Like I mentioned, the bilat hand numbness, ridgity, swelling, and tingling have gotten well enough to flip off those that dare comment about my glutenous pizza, potatoe chip and party platter piggish pastime. ooking forward to the "Moon Face" too. That will solve problems having to pull down my now elastic wastebamd pants to MOO while I Moon all the skinny and healthy people that take their heath
Let's see, here's my list of potential diagnosis' in the last 6 mths..
1 Fibromyalgia
2 CFS
3 LUPUS
4 SJODGREN'S
5 EBV
6 ALL OF THE ABOVE...
OOPS, ,ALMOST FORGOT MYOFACSIAL PAIN, RAYNAUDS AND PREMATURE BONE DENSITY LOSS ( I\ and this has been going on for 10 years since my hypothyroidism. Here's a great kicker, I do not qualify for any type of state assited insurance or Medi-Cal, CMSP due to last year MY exes alimony. After divorce I went back to an expensive vocational college to become a Medical Assistant, and developed hammer toes on one foot making it absolutely impossible to stand of my feet for more than 15 minutes. I need surgery, but once again, (Thanks OBAMA, NOT!) I don't qualify and can't get
any insurance unlesss I get a job. I've been out of work now just shy of a year. I'm not bilingual and get too exhausted after about 15 minutes.
Well, I need to go pee and look for something to eat! It's now day 3 and 8:49 am w/o any zzzzzz's and I think all this complaining has acually made me sleepy!
Bring on the weird medication dreams................good luck to all of,you and remember, no one cn ever take away your sense of humor! Besides. Kleenex cuts into my FOOD $$$$$!
Ahh life is good and my new addition Prednisone are not going to be living together if I havd any say so!

1

Hi. I just got off a 3 week course of prednisone and it really helped my ulcerative colitis. The side effects are well worth it if you can stop a colitis flare up like me.

Presnisone has its side effects... my dad has uc and is really disturbed because of it... I just read online anout a doctor in india... He apparently has developed a herbal medicine to cure the disease.. Iv read testimonials of people on his website called some of them and spoke to them too.. It look authentic...Im makin my dad try it.. U guys should also try it...

I started on Prednisone 16 years ago when I was 32. Would love to hear from some folks who have taken this evil/helpful drug for 10+ years. I was diagnosed with birdshot in both eyes. This causes lesions on the back of the eye and the prognosis is not good. When I would have a flare up, I would take as much as 100mg per day for a week and then tapering down from that. They tried me on Cellcept 5-6 years ago and my immune system dropped so low I almost died. I had to go on an IV drip to turn that situation around. I recently caught a staph infection and after tons of anti-biotic drips and 2 hospital stays they ended up cutting off the end of my pinky finger on my left hand. My vision in my right eye dipped dramatically. I hope to be employed again soon and have medical insurance to get checked out again. It has been about a year since my last exam. I have had all the synptons listed. weight gain, depression, moon face, serious mood swings. I have been on 10MG a day for the last year. Hope this info will help someone. The eye implant sounds interesting. Anyone had that? Thanks & God bless!

I am a 21 yr old female, I was on a camping trip march29th 2010 my best friend woke me up Cuz I was making a funny noise well When she woke up I started gasping for air and my extremitys were blue, 911 was called an they rushed me to the ER. I was hospitalized for 10 days well since that day I just have random attacks where I just stop breathing I am on 3liters of oxygen I'm hospitalized at least 2 x a month. Before that camping trip I weighed 110 lbs, I played sports,I had great teeth, great eyes and now I have a joint disease that drives me insane, I constantly have pain in my lungs,all of my teeth have been worked on an I gained 70lbs. Til this day no one knows exactly what I have all they can tell me is that I have an undiagnosed lung disease my diffusing lung compacity is suppose to b in the 80s for my age but mine is 47.I recently had a stroke and heart attack. Steroids help sometimes but I was on 1000mg a day. I'm currently still looking for that right doc to diagnose me. I use a wheel chair because of my oxygen level but now because of the joint disease as well. I know its a long story but I definitely know how everyone feels about the steroids.

I started taking 50 mg of Prednisone for 5 days, after a week of suffering from a bad case of poison ivy. The medicine did make the oozing stop, but new rashes started popping up, and I couldn't figure out why. I was lethargic, anxious, got irrationally angry, and wanted to sleep all the time. I'm a runner in good shape, and normally have tons of energy. I could hardly get through the day. I also gained 4 pounds. On the day after finishing the medicine, I started feeling more "normal", but on the 2nd day after, the dizziness, nausea, and hot flashes set in, the itching is worse than before, and I can't sleep at night. This is the 3rd day post-medicine, and I feel like a drunk zombie. The doctor said the medicine would make me feel like super woman. I feel terrible!

I have been on prednisone for about 7 months for RA..Started with 20mg, went to 10, 5, and now down to 2.5.. Trying to wean off it, but all the joint pain, and swelling coming back. I have tried other meds for the arthritis, but nothing stops the pain like the prednisone. I am almost on my last dose, 2.5mg every three days, and the pain is almost more than I can bear in my joints (feet, ankles, wrists, fingers) What I would like to know is this. If I stay on 2.5mg for a long period of time, maybe until I die, ( I'm 67 female) what will be the long term consequences? Also how long does the prednisone stay in your system, and how long do the withdrawal sides effects last, after the last dose. I want desperately to get off the drug, but very hesitant.. I am also on synthroid, have been for 25yrs, Januvia 100mg, enalapril 5mgs, and simvastatin 20mgs...Take VitaminD 50,000units once a month, Calcium 500 - magnesium 250 and Vitiman B12 1000mg daily. Am hoping maybe if I stay on the prednisone if necessary that the vitamins will counteract to bone loss. Will 2.5mg of pred. have that much toxicity on the body.. (Thyroid med is .125mg. diagnosed with Grave disease 25-30 yrs ago...everything is under control now. The only side effects that I noticeably see with the pred. is a small weight gain, and seems like I break out a little on my face nothing really bad. I am a mentally very strong person, so I don't know about the psychological effects..Don't seem to have any.. Please try and answer my questions...I feel like I am between a rock and a hard place...I am very uncertain what to do..My Doctor said that if I really can't stand to pain, maybe I should stay on the 2.5mg pred...Doesn't really want me too, but if there is no alternative......Also will it have a bad effect on my adrenal glands.... Thank you so much for listening

Hi my bf pushed me into a plant called stinging nettles and omg got a real bad allergic reaction right away my whole body was burning so bad and had these bumps everywhere I just started prednisone last night and omg I couldn't sleep cause of the bad leg cramps it gave me just after three pills of 20mgs, I took my second dose today the same leg cramps it just feels like I constantly feel the need to keep moving my legs and also feeling dizzy just from two days of prednisone I'm glad I only have five days to take it...A.

I got on prednisone for repetitive anaphylactic reactions. I think I might prefer anaphylaxis. I have felt for three weeks like I am dying (literally convinced). My chest hurts so bad I feel like if I exert too much energy my hart will burst. It hurts all the way up into my neck and back. On top of that I get these moments where my heartrate skyrockets, I gt dizzy and in this horrible fog, like a curtain has been pulled across my brain. I am weaning myself, though none of my doctors seem to think it's the prednisone. I am on a full blown endocrine work up and go in for cardiology work up on Monday. after reading all this I am convinced it is the steroids! They are making me crazy! What a horrible drug. By the way, I I try to taper to fast I feel so bad and my chest hurts so much that I am on the verge of heading to the ER. Good luck to everyone coming off of this!

Because of Allergies and sever asthma and my allergies fight against my immune system, I am on xolair shots and take prednisone, up to 50 mg when my throat seems tight, and also to keep polups down. I have been up and down from 50 to 20, when I hit 20 things go off balance again. Now I am having water retention in my feet and legs, and also lumps in my throat seem to be appearing, fatty like tissue at the base of my neck between the breast bone and laryinex. SP, sorry. I also have a bladder infection now, so far they say it is viral, so I am on antibiotics my second does. I told my doctor about the water retention and he did not prescribe anything for it, suggested I wean my self of the prednisone, which I keep trying to do.
Have any of you used the over the counter water pills.
Oh and I do have the light headedness, thought it may just be my sinuses acting up, but not sure. It is like a fuzzy feeling come over me.
I would like to begin to cut down again this week, is there something my doctors can prescribe to make it easier.

i am 19 years old and was always healthy until last year.. when i started getting an unusual rash. eventually they diagnosed me with dermographism.. they gave me medicine which helped me.
then about a month ago i got a temp of 102.7 and was diagnosed with pluerisy. i was put on a z-pak and an alburderal inhaler. when i went for a check up my weezing did not go away. my doctor was worried so prescribed me with prednisone. i am prescribed 30mg 2 times a day. so i will be taking 60mg a day. already after my first dose i have a purpleish reddish rash starting on my upper thigh and a headake as well as a very dry throat. i feel very wired but tired. after reading all these posts i dont think its a good idea to take this medicine. does anyone know anything else that can cure me that is not so dangerous. i dont think this medicine is helpful to me, especially my health.

thanks..

kyleigh

My toy Poodle was given Temeril P for a cough, the P is for prednisone. After one dose in the morning, by afternoon she was having trouble walking. I called the vet, he said to give 1/2 dose in the evening in lieu of the whole dosage. Well, I should have listened to my gut and not given her any more and gone to a diff vet to have her system flushed. Long story short, she ended up w/some sort of brain injury, which was misdiagnosed by 2 vets, until one finally figured it out, she could only walk in a circle in one direction, one vet actually said it was a back problem...that was a waste of a $50 vet visit. Anyhow, I didn't have the $1800 for a MRI, but a great neuro did help me via a phone call and just said it was either encephalitis or a bleed from the pred and to just give her supportive care. So, we did, after several weeks she improved tho we went thru lots of her trying to bite if you picked her up, barely eating, etc. She is now 10 years old and still has neuro damage to one side of her body, and will never be given pred again

Ok so im 16 years old, and Ive been diagnosed with lupus since abt last year. I started taking prednisone Jan 2010, and boy was that the worst thing that could of happened to me at the time. I was going through a lot of stress already like crzy stuff apart from my lupus and this was like the cherry on top. I WENT CRZZZY!!!! I honestly wish I found this site sooner because I had no idea wut was going on with me! Long story short, this pill is the worst thing for a teenage girl going through hs! I mean my face is still swollen after how many months and my personality is still...weird. Im thankfully not getting meltdowns anymore but im sooooo irritable! UGH...does anyone know when this stuff will fully get out of my system?

First, let me say that these medical issues and side effects we are all dealing with are nothing to laugh at. With that said, I have to thank you for sharing your stories - and for making me laugh out loud. Not because the stories or info were humorous, but I think because I finally found a GROUP of people who are expressing just how I have been feeling - the same frustration with doctors who don't understand our symptoms, the crazy symptoms that keep appearing, or never go away...thank you for sharing! I have been on a very low taper dose of Methylprednisolone for 5 days....tomorrow is my last 4mg dose...I had blood red eyes, a systemic red itchy rash, swollen hands, knees, ankles, feet, and face - and a fever with chills spiking 103 every afternoon and/or night for 5 days. I still have canker sores in my mouth and on my tongue. My blood levels all came back normal - negative for Lyme, negative for Parvo - still waiting for Lupus results as well as HepB...now I have EXTREMELY painful hands(still swollen), wrists, elbows, knees and shoulders - The pain in my hands and wrists is excruciating...especially at night. The rash started clearing up as soon as I started prednisolone, and is now itchy and peeling in most places - I have perichinae rash on my palms and roof of my mouth. I have dry mouth and dry eyes. Last night, I had a frightening burning squeezing pain in my chest - intermittent over about an hour... I developed a fever again of almost 101 overnight - and this morning I vomited after taking my medicine. No one knows what this is....but I know this is not how my body normally feels. The pain in my joints is far worse now than it was earlier in the week - I can't sleep - I can't even hold anything! I don't know if this is from the mystery illness, or from the prednisolone!

Been on prednisone for 4 months for UC. Started out at 60 mg, then 50, then 45 and have been tapering down 5 mg a week for over 8 weeks and have only a few weeks left. I got prednisone induce diabetes from it which my doctor's say should go away - should but may not. I gained 15 pounds, night sweats, foot and leg cramps every night, insomnia, nausea, moon face - looks like I have the mumps, high glucose numbers and very moody, especially in the evening. If you can avoid this drug - DO. I will never go back on it again, I only wish I would have checked out the side effects more clearly before starting this drug. I have also been on 250 mg of Azathioprin now for 2 months which is keeping the UC in remission, but it too has its own side effects and requires frequent blood testing while on it.

I don't know how often folks surf up to read this, but I found this thread VERY helpful as I was started on a 10-day course of Prednisone just last week. I was very nervous about the side effects, and fact that it suppresses the immune system. My course was 20 mg, taken a.m. and p.m. for 5 days, then just 20 mg taken a.m. for 5 days. I had a full body rash, which my dermatologist thinks could be related to a staph infection I got as a result of having an aggressive facial laser resurfacing done in mid-May. The rash spread despite taking antihistamines ( because it was not allergy-related!), despite a shot of Kenalog, and the use of Fluiocinonide cream daily. After 2 days on Prednisone, I finally saw the rash look better. After 4 days, the rash was significantly improved. Now, on Day 9, it is not only GONE, but even after it flattened out and was a purplish color, that is also nearly resolved. I am euphoric!! The only side effects I experienced were: RACING heart (very scary, but only lasted an hour after the first pill), palpitations (came on at night, so I cut the dose back to 10 mg), and some indigestion - nothing too severe. I hope this helps others take the Prednisone plunge. It can be the most effective clobber for a rash - if it is determined that the immune system is just out of control.

Doctor gave Prednisone for my Sudden Lost Hearing. I finished the dose he gave me (for three weeks, a very high one). Didn't work for my lost hearing. I gain over 15 pounds, even though I walk an hour everyday with my dog and tried to eat healthy spite the constant hunger I felt. The heartburn was horrible.
Two weeks I finished the dose, but the heartburn is still there and sometimes is just horrible and painful. Never had it in my life before. It wake me up at night with pain and wanting to throw up. I gained over 15 pounds and it seems I'm still gaining weight. I felt tired, shaky, bloating like I'm going to explode! I didn't enjoy this medication at all. I thought the side effects will be during the time I was taking Prednisone, but, I'm still having them. Do they end?

I had eye surgery and was placed on Pred Forte eye drops for several weeks. Toward the end of the 3rd week I began waking up in the middle of the night with an excruciating charlie horse. I also had frequent headaches upon waking. I couldn't for the life of me figure out what in the heck was going on. Then I read that leg cramps are a reported side effect of prednisone use.

My husband has been on prednisone for Eosynophyllic faciitis in 2004 and experienced heart paltations being on prednisone. He recovered from that disease and in 2006 was diagnosed with mds possibly caused by working around toxic areas(pulp mills) then it was later diagonalized as aplastic anemia. Last year's treatment didn't work but this year a stem cell transplant from his brother has taken. He has been on prednisone for 4 months 60mg and has just begun the weaning process.
He has experienced blood sugars all for the place. Very shaky hands. Dry eyes and dry mouth. He was 165 and went down to 103. Just starting to gain. Getting c;dificile from the hospital contributed to weight loss as he had diarrhea for 3 months. Also experienced loss of appetite.
Now he is recovering I have concerns as last year's treatment left him with diabetes.
I pray for the day a drug will be found that isn't so nasty.

G.

Im 16 ive been on prednisone for exactly 3 months now. I started at 80 mg and the doctors tapered me too quickly (or they think they did) and i had a seizure and went back into the ER and then got put on 1,000...YES...1000 MG for 3 days and then put me on 80 for 3 weeks. going from 1000 mg straight to 80 mg was HELL. i was screaming in pain (joint pain) and my knees and ankles swelled up. thankfully that went away but soon after that i got moon face, started gaining weight, sweat constantly, had to pee all the time, wanted food alllllll the time, and felt like a completely different person. i also got tremors and couldn't stay at school for more then a couple hours a day. Now i am down to 35 mg and i still have a huge moon face and i have gained about 20 lbs, and just discovered stretch marks (awesome...) Im really hoping as i taper off of this dumb medicine my symptoms go away...

Ok reading all of these reports I finally understand what is going on with me!!!!! I have gone through withdrawals from pain meds before and that is exactly what I feel like after only 2 days on Prednisone and 3 days off!!! The sweating, the diarrhea(dont remember how to spell that?), feeling like my adrenalin in stuck on go, insomnia, bladder control issues, crying spells, legs aching, feeling like Im in a black hole!!!!! I appreciate every one of your guy's stories!!!! However, can anyone tell me how long this will last? I want to go do the Dr. but Im concerned they'll just think I'm having anxiety issues.

On Prednisone for 3 1/2 months after being diagnosed with Crohn's disease. Shortly after stopping, experienced muscle pain, then joint pain, and after a month is still getting worse.

i was on prednisone for 7 days, for ankylosing spondilitis , 20 mg 2ce a day...sat was my last dose...it worked great i was able to move again and go about my day, until Monday, i started with a major headache that hasn't left...then yesterday other side effects stared....I feel like i have the biggest hang over that's really the best way to describe it. the head ache has not left, i feel so dizzy, my breathing is off, so tired, fast heart beats, emotional, shaky, frequent urination, nauseous.. I really wish my doctor would of warned me of these terrible side effects!! i will never take this drug again....it's not worth it!
i went to the er last night the doc said my body was most likely going thru withdrawal from the prednisone drug...incredible

I have been on first a 10 day dose and then a 15 day dose and have gained a lot of
June 30th weight, moon face, increased appetite, dry mouth, lack of interest in sex, increased
2010 thirst , lack of taste, always hungry, redness in face and neck, but worst of all is
10:10 AM the profuse sweating all day not just at night

.

I feel really bad for the trials so many of you are having. Hope my story will help. I am 43 yr old mom. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto 8 yrs ago. I had always been very active; I just didn't feel good tired and seem to have a hard time fighting off stuff. Over the course of 2 yrs and 4 doctors, and much research I could see that I had symptoms of a thyroid not functioning properly. One of the doctor visits I actually had a doctor tell me well you are describing symptoms of hyper, and hypo thyroid.
Dr said you can't have both, you must pick one. This is the time I realized not all doctors are well informed, and not all doctors care about you once you walk out of the office.
We have to take some reasonability in our own wellness. For the ones of us who are hard to diagnose, and don't fit nicely on a script pad. I want to encourage those of you who know that something is just not right, keep looking and find a doctor that will walk with you on the path to your wellness.
I had symptoms of both that where made worse by a round of steroids.
I chose to have my thyroid removed and start on replacement therapy. Forty five minutes from surgery I had felt better than I had in two years. I know it was the best choice for me, I know swallowing poison that is supposed to burn out your thyroid can't be safe. It’s not like the poison has a brain and knows what part of your body to destroy. I talked with a man that had taken that and the tissue in his throat was so destroyed that he has to sleep sitting up.
I also have MS and just finished a round of steroids that caused a lot of problems. I have ADDH and instead of feeling real tired, I did have some. However my heart rate was through the roof and all the symptoms of hyper thyroid came back. I felt like my adrenalin was off the charts. I stopped taking it and will never again. I went to the hospital and heart rate ranged from 125 to 140.

Had a bad case of poison ivy and was prescribed prednisone 20mg 3 for 3 days then 2 for 2 days then 1 for 3 days. I took the 3 for 3 days, and then I had absolutely no energy. I literally stayed in bed for 2 days after taking this medication. I quit taking it and feel fine now.

well went to the emergency room,cuz of my breathing problem.and it wasn't because of the prednisone.i have pneumonia.but i think still think some of the other symptoms are from prednisone.and i tell ya what i feel ssssssooooooooo much better.j

My mum has suffered with Ulcerative Colitis for nearly 10 years. She was prescribed Prednisone and has always felt much better after using this until the past 5 weeks in which she has finally managed to stop taking the drug. Like the majority of you guys, since weaning herself off Prednisone she is also getting incredible joint pain especially in her knees, wrists and neck, shaking & sweating. She is unable to sleep as the pain is causing her so much discomfort. Does anyone know how long these symptoms can last? Does it get better or is my mum to live with these effects for the rest of her life??

got a bad case of poison ivy. was on prednisone for 5 days(10mg per pill,first day 10 pills,2nd day 8 pills,3rd day 6 pills 4th day 4 pills,last day 2 pills,and then nothing ).been off it for 2 days now.but on the 2nd day got very bad side effects..peeing all the time,rash on thighs and waist area,blurred vision,slight headaches,but the worst side effects.my right side from my neck down to my hip,from the the front to the middle of my back is very sore,its hard to breath n to catch my breath.my nights are sleepless cuz i cant lay down cuz it feels like i have 20lbs of weight on my chest.and it feels like my insides are bruised.
J.

I am have just finished a 5 day regiment of this terrible nasty drug, I dont know what is worse. the inflammation of the problem that i was being treated for or the feeling as though you are caring a brick on your test , where you feel like u just cant breath......... I will never take this medication again and for the record I am so sorry for those that have to endure this medication on a full time basis. It is Terrible. All I can see is my chest got so tight that i demanded a chest x-ray and here i sit waiting on the results

I have been on pred. for over a month coming off slowly but now experiencing bladder spasms - has anyone had this symptom?

I never though about the side effects until reading the blogs. Wow. I have the sweats, itching, increased appetite and dry mouth. I have been urinating more but I have to be careful with liquids because I am on restricted fluids. This come from Congestive heart failure. Damn if you do and damn if u dont.

I am relatively new to all of this. I was diagnosed in 2006 with asthma. Since then I have had 8 hospitalizations. In addition to this I have been diagnosed with Congestive heart failure as well. Some of the symptoms are the same. The shortness of breath for example. I am beginning to learn the difference between the two, but it takes knowing the body and asking lots of questions. Being proactive instead of reactive. Its a lot of work. I am 55 years young and have to start my golden life like this, WOW. But thought it all, I am still here. For the asthma, I take 2 puffs of Advir daily, 3 injections every two weeks, 2 breathing treatments daily, and 60 mil of prednisone for 10 days and then 40 for 10 days. I do not know what my side effects are as of yet. I can say I get frustrated easily when others are trying to tell me what I should do to breathe better. They have no clue. They suggest staying in the house when its humid and not go outside. That is not natural. Even though I know it is easy to sit on the side line and give orders.. But I dont think thats their intent I think they are trying to be helpful. So much for venting.

Pulled a muscle in my lower back while working in the yard. Doctor put me on prednisone for 5 days. Everything was fine. 36 hours after my last pill, my hips started aching with the pain ever increasing. VERY difficult to walk. Feel small bouts of anxiety of which I have never experienced. My doctor says the pain is minor and will ease in a few days. The anxiety, he tells me, is just me reading to much about prednisone on the internet! Will my pain go away?????

Side Effects of Prednisone.

I am 68

Because of Coroidal swelling ( A side effect from Scleral Buckle surgery to repair both detached retinas) I have been on 20mg of Prednisone for 10 years.

Initial reactions included weight gain, reduced aches and pains and a fear that cartilage deterioration was taking place. My doctor and I decided to try and taper off the Prednisone in October 2009.

We went to 75% for a month and then 50% for a month. I missed an appointment and decided on my own to go to zero.

Within 3 weeks I was suffering headaches, shortness of breath, body pain everywhere and fatigue and no appetite. When I got to my Doctor he immediately discovered that I was in Adrenal gland failure, which he said came close to killing me.

I went back on a full 20mg dose and I am still on it. I have only made a 50% recovery and I now have a new side effect which is thin skin on my forearms. My arms are constantly bruised and hemorrhaging below the skin. A recent Xray shows accelerated lower back degeneration.

I'm stuck. I can't get off Prednisone and it i is destroying my body.

It is bad stuff. Do not use it unless you have to and then get off as fast as possible.

I was diagnosed with ulcerative coiltus apx. 2 yrs ago and have been on a constant regime of prednisone, up to 80 mg. Have just recently come off the medication after a tapering process, The side effects of coming off the medication have been terrible,extreme fatigue, days I don't even want to get out of bed, blurred vision and muscle aches. I have been off of the medication for apx. 3 weeks now and no sign of improvement with the side effect. I will have a hard time ever being convinced to go back on this medication. Please be aware of all before ever going on this medication.

I'm 36 and have gained 25 pounds almost and scared on how to lose it.

I ma on Prednisone 30 mg after weaning from 80mg for three months. I have ALL the side effects and if the tumor in my lung was not shrinking I would not take it and never want to take it again. I'm 45 and have gained 30 pounds almost and scared on how to lose it. I eat fruit and salads and drink a lot of water, it is an awful drug but saved my life for me and my family. I am so unhealthy being fat and the moon face, hump in my back, the chins are so horrible I do not even go out. I am on a medical leave from work and I just am sick of my friends seeing me this fat when I return. I do walk and ride my bike, it is what it is. It sucks.Anyone have any thing good to help me with the side effects and weight? I am a nurse so I do understand the mess it causes.

My doc prescribed prednisone due to my asthma being so horrible this season (first time prescribed), took them for 8 days with tapered dosage after the first few days. I ended the pills on Sat (one dosage), had a wonderful Mother's Day on Sun, went to bed and had the most horrific next two days with arthritis in both knees, along with pain tremors. I did not sleep until Tue AM. I checked with my asthma doc today to see if the prednisone could be the culprit behind the pure evil arthritis I experienced and he said yes. I have informed him I will not go that route again because it was not worth it, just to encounter the worst pain I have ever felt.

I am currently taking 40mg a day for the last 3 weeks following a flare up of ulcerative colitis. Have been on Pred before but have felt the side effects more this time than even after higher intravenous doses of the drug I have had in the past. Have eye strain, thrist, heartburn, weakness in the legs, increased appetite, puffy knees and most frustrating of all depression and anxiety. Its hard because you have to still go about your work and life as usual even though inside you feel like a raving nutter. I can't wait to get off this drug and start to feel myself again.

I had a prednisone injection in my breast that has not healed. I have had a bad headache since then, plus nauseous and blurred vision and ra acing heart. I was told it was just being injected in that specific area and would not affect all of me. Has anyone had any similar side effects? please tell...thank you...

I have been on Prednisone now for a year and started on 60 mg and am now down to 20mg a day....I have definitely had an increased appetite and have gained about 40-50 lbs and have a severe moon face...I have become very depressed due to the weight gain and am hoping there is some end in sight...I will be lowering the dose to every other day, starting in a few weeks and my doctor said I should notice a change in the symptoms then....oh and I get very, very HOT too....not as bad as I was, when I first started taking it though.

On prednisone for the second time in a year. Was on 1000mg in the hospital for a week, then down to 40mg as well as cyclophosphamide. 3 months later I'm at 7.5mg, tapering down to 5mg in two weeks and then 4mg, 3mg, 2mg, and then 1mg as I start on Imuran. Should be off the prednisone by August.

Both times that I've been on prednisone I've experienced absolutely no weight gain (despite a HUGE appetite), so I figured I would share my tips.

-Eat as much food that rich in protein and low in fat/simple carbs as you can. Some of my favourite meals are baked boneless skinless chicken breast (approx. 80 cal per 100g) with a side of steamed veggies. Green veggies are especially fibrous and complex, so they keep you full for a long time. The slow digestion of the protein and the greens (not to mention the fact that it's so low calorie that you CAN afford to eat more than a normal serving) keeps you satisfied for awhile. Baked salmon works well, too. If you really want some other carbs, try BROWN rice. The more fiber, the more full you'll be. Avoid white rice. It gets broken down immediately as sugar, and you're hungry soon after.
-Celery is great to munch on due to it's his cellulose content. Same with carrot sticks. These are basically "free" calories, so I munch on them pretty much all day long.
-Avoid pop, juice, and other drinks. Since you're extremely hungry, you'll want to eat all your daily alloted calories instead of wasting them on drinks.
-Green tea is an appetite suppressor.
-Whey protein shakes in the morning keep you very full. I live in Canada, so I get GNC's Whey Iso Burst with 40g of protein and less than 2g of fat and carbs. Mix with milk in the morning, or blend a banana/strawberries in it to mix it up. It honestly keeps me SO FULL until about 2pm. Plus, protein helps to build muscle since prednisone causes so much atrophy.
-Egg whites are 17 calories each and loaded with protein. Another "free food" to munch on.
-I love "meal salads." Spinach, vegetables, feta cheese, boneless skinless chicken breast or prawns. You can add TONS of spinach or lettuce, so you end up feeling really full.
-Substitute whole wheat at ALL TIMES. Pasta, bread, anything. Bleached products go right through you.
-Apples!! High in fiber, only 80 cal.
-For a treat I like Thinsations- prepackaged cookies and bars. I like "Delight Bars" in cheesecake flavour, and the yogurt-covered pretzels. Each packet is 100 calories. Also, for a treat try Skinny Cow individually packaged ice creams. 120 calories per individual cup. I love cheesecake flavour.
-Avoid mayonnaise and other like products. Since you're eating MORE of everything, the idea is to cut down on calories that don't fill you up. You'll be just as full with mustard, but with 100 less calories.
-Try to stick to three meals a day and 2 snacks in between. It's easier to watch how much you're eating if you stick to a schedule.
-Avoid eating out. Too many calories, too large of portions, and you'll end up finishing what you normally would have left behind.
-Protein bars are GREAT filling snacks. I like BioX Protein-32 in "Cookies and Cream" because it has 10g of fiber in addition to 32 grams of protein. Each bar is 320 calories, but if you break it in half it makes a great filling snack.
-Fat free cottage cheese is a great snack. One cup is 90 calories.
-Jello. 5 calories a cup. Eat away.

I know how much prednisone SUCKS!! We literally feel like we could eat EVERYTHING!! But the idea is to cut calories where you can since you're increasing the amount of food that you're consuming. It worked like a charm for me both times that I've been on prednisone. Best of luck!!

I am 22 years old and was finally properly diagnosed with Crohn's disease after year of suffering. I am currently on 40mgs of pred and am loosing my friggen mind! Besides the migraines, sweating like a beast, crazy ass mood swings to the point where I feel like I'm on not of the world on min and the next I'm crying cuz I see a dead animal on the side of the road. It really is a living hell. Out of all the side affects the chest pain has to be the worst. I get bought of incredible pain in my chest (like someone got a hammer and wacked me with it) that last for about 20 mins to 2 hours. If anyone has any ideas on how to alleviate this side affect, or any of them for that matter I really would appreciate it. I cant start tapering for another 2 months and need all the help I can get.I really do appreciate it. And good luck to everyone else. Just remember that old saying "It could always be worse." This too shall pass.

Was given Prednisone for a severe allergic reaction to Bactrim. Have developed itchy rash and now my nose is bleeding, not steady but when I wipe my nose or blow it there is blood on the tissue. Can't wait to get all of this medication out of my system and be normal again!

I am a 55 year old woman who was diagnosed with polymyalgiarheumatica 18 months ago. I started with 20 MG of prednisone - I have lost 25 pounds and had the moon face, the shakes and trouble sleeping. I am now down to 2MG per day and have noticed that the shakes have almost stopped BUT the moon face remains - when will it go away>

I was on prednisone for only two weeks and had a very abnormal reaction. I was given 10mg tablets, first day I took 6 (abnormal poison oak reaction as well), then I was on 4 10mg tablets per day until I tapered, during the last 5 days I taperd down very slowly because of the abnormal reaction. Everyday I am Meticulous about counting calories in and energy out, I was eating about 2,000 cals a day, exercising out 150 cals per day (jogging) and with a sedentary lifestyle otherwise. I went to the doctors on a Tuesday for an evaluation and was "UP" more than is normal for me, I was swelling and weighed in at 164 pounds. Two day later I went in for an urgent evaluation. I was tapering at this time with no remarkable change in calories in vs out. On the same scale at the doctors office just TWO DAYS LATER I weighed 154 pounds, I had lost 10 pounds, with no appreciable change to my diet, exercise or lifestyle (other than being more emotional). My symptoms included a sense of panic and other symptoms that are unusual for me; uncontrollable crying and lapse of impulse control.

continuation from May 26th, 2010 7:18am post.... female patient has been on everything from 40mg to 180mg to 200mg IV solumedrol pushes every 3 hrs while in the hospital and has not been on anything lower than 40mg a day for days and days. Still on them. Now imagine that! Your head is spinning off the charts and the staff expect you not to be punchy. What is wrong with the medical staff these days. They dont think you should take Xanax or Clonazepam to calm your anxiety down. They're insane. Not to mention, her insurance company does not cover any benzo's. Nothing to help her calm her nerves of anxiety down. But they cover Viagra, penile enlargement medicine and so many other ridiculous crap, its embarrassing.

Anyone have any suggestions on losing weight? Maybe types of foods that help with losing weight? Herbs? As a caretaker, I'm very open to suggestions. I want to help her live a quality life that her fibrosis and back can take. Please, ANYONE?

Peace to all.
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