PredniSONE and 5 months

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?

I was on prednisone for a little over 2 months for my asthma and it got even worse so my dosage got upped and I overdosed on it and had real bad mental side effects from it. i'm a healthy male who has worked out for the last 8 years, i'm 22 years old and 225 lbs with a good build, i workout every day and run 3 miles a day. i was taking 10 mg pills 3 times a day and then got up to taking a 50 mg pill once a day and within 2 days of taking the 50 mg pill i was HORRIBLE. the mental side effects were so bad, i didn't even know where i was or who i was at times and now it's about 5 months later and i'm still noticing the mental side effects, not quite as bad, but it's like a constant headache that never goes away. i talked to my doctor and he sad that they can last several months after you take it but won't be permanent so i'm still just living with it and at times it feels like it's rough and tough to deal with but you just have to keep thinking that it will get better. the sleeping problems can also be a problem too, but for anyone out there who is debating on taking it, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMEND IT, STAY AWAY AT ALL COST IF YOU CAN

Stay away from Prednisone

My prayers to all of you who take these destructive "medications". here's my short story.

I had been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis back in 2003. My doctor gave me 60MG per day (three 20 MG tabs) for over six months, with the weening off period lasting another six. To make a long story shorter. I went through many of the same problems like, bloating in the face and body, rashes, a bump that looks like a wart--that still won't go away, and a continuing state of memory loss. I get baffled easy now. I also continue to go through mood swings.

But here's the kicker, I haven't taken Prednisone for over 3 years and I was trying to begin lifting weights. I thought I popped something in my arm, but the doctor says that I have "aseptic necrosis", that has developed in my left shoulder and soon to start in both sides of my hips. For those who don't want to "google" the term, basically parts of my shoulder and hip bones are not getting blood flow and are dying (necrosis).

With my memory loss, I am having difficulties performing at work and doing routine tasks at home. I did not think this "medication" would have affected me this much.

Prednisone needs to be on the banned list of medicines.

Hello everyone,

My name is Tina and I am a mother of 5 children and I was diagnosed with a very rare disorder called "VKH" It is a rare eye disorder that only strikes like 1 in 1,000,000,000 people. I was put on Prednisone to help with this condition and to reduce the swelling in my eyes. I was put on 70mg initially and was tapered down to 40mg. then things did not go as well as to be expected and I was bumped back up to 60mg. I am so happy to read these stories but also saddened at the same time. I have been on Prednisone for 5 months and have gained 20 pounds and have the moon face, the acne, the hair growth and the horrible mood swings. My husband and I had our 10 year anniversary last week and I spent it all alone because of my moods.......
It has destroyed my relationships and my self esteem. I don't like leaving the house barely because I hate how I look and I am so depressed I am not the same person as before. I cry all the time because sometimes I wonder if taking this drug is worth it!!! What makes things worse is I wonder if things will ever go back to normal for me or my family again.................

I'm a 22 year old who was diagnosed with dermatologists a couple months ago. I've been on different doses of steroids ranging from 5mg to 60mg for 5 months now. i was on 60mg the longest and just went down to 40mg. i go down to 30 mg next month. so far my side effects are moon face, swollen areas around my neck and collar bone, weight gain like 15 lbs, always have to wake up in the middle of the night and pee, my knees get shooting pains sometimes at night, light hair by my ears like sideburns, tired, helps with my muscle weakness a little, my eyesight seems blurry sometimes, chest always feels tight. I'm also on Methotrexate, Bactrim, folic acid, and Fosamax. it might be a reaction form all these but i think its mainly from the Prednisone. i cant wait to get down to the lower doses. i look like a different person and even tho all my family and friends know its still embarrassing. i fell like a whole different person. i cant wait to be normal again.

This is my second course of Prednisone after several UC flare-ups. First time I was on 40mg for 2 weeks, then tapered down for two weeks. My first few days on Prednisone were great. I finally had energy, I was in a great mood and finally felt like I was living again. After 4-5 days, the weight/bloating began. My fingers and ankles began to swell, then my face. I no longer felt "alive" anymore, more slovenly. None of my clothes were fitting either. I developed a very noticeable "muffin-top" that made buttoning my pants difficult and wearing and snug t-shirts embarrassing. I returned to my doctor after my two week course (prior to tapering) and found that not only did I gain 12 pounds in two weeks, but my blood pressure had increased dramatically. I was assured that once I quit the Prednisone, my weight should return to what it was, as well as my blood pressure. Sure enough, they did.

I would have to say the very worse part of taking this medicine, for me, was not the two weeks that I was on my 40mg course, nor was it the two week taper, but the two weeks after stopping the medication. My energy level was completely zapped, but I couldn't sleep. I also had the worse headaches and mood swings. I would snap at my family for the smallest of reasons. This medicine introduced a side of myself that I never want to meet again.

Unfortunately, here it is 2 months later and I have been prescribed another course of Prednisone due to another colitis flare-up. I thought I was prepared for what this medicine will do to me since I experienced it once before. However, this time is nothing like the last. Unlike last time, I have yet to feel "on top of the world". My bloat came on quicker this time, as did my mood swings. I am depressed and really hating what I have become. Fortunately, I have enough sense to realize a lot of my depressive thoughts and mood swings are a result of the Prednisone, but it doesn't make it easier. My vision is blurred and for the first time I understand what others are talking about when they speak of foggy brain. I am physically present, but definitely not coherent. I just want this medicine out of my system. I would rather deal with the intense cramping and bloody stools from my colitis, then have to ever go on this medicine again.

12/13/07 I took Prednisone for 5 months and now my face has finally went back down but not the weight. I got back on it again but this time I wont be on it as long, I have already notice within 3 days of taking it I can't sleep at night. I am taken 20 mg , two in the morning a day....