PredniSONE and adrenal glands

They think that I have either crohns or ulcerative colitis. I have tried antibiotics, lialda, mesalamine enemas, with no improvement. After another colonoscopy they put me on prednisone at 40mgs, 30, 20, 10, then 5 decreasing weekly. Well the first week was okay. I had some of the side affects, insomnia, extreme hunger, and crazy. I could deal with that. But then when I decreased down to 30mg, my body flipped. I awoke from the middle of the night with burning pain in the knees. So bad I took 4 ibuprofen and threw myself in the tub with epsom salt. I thought okay that was weird because I have never had a joint pain in my life. I saw the gastroenterologist that day bc I was still having abdominal pain. He totally blew off the knee pain and said he had no idea what that was. I thought okay maybe it will go away. A few days went by and nothing. 3 days later and I awoke one morning crying in pain because of my legs. I called the on call doctor who also said he had no idea and go to the er. So I went crying hysterically for 4 hours. Even after 3 rounds of dilaudid I was still in pain. They suggested a Rheumatologist. So I went to one a week later who said I was going through steroid withdrawals. And there is nothing we can do but treat the symptoms of pain. I am now down to 10mgs have been out of work for 2 weeks and am absolutely miserable with severe leg pain, muscle weakness and fatigue. He also adjusted the drop down increments to 5 instead of 10. Anyway I will never take this drug again and I think they rushed to this one. Just wanted to share. I am glad I found this website because I went from a fully functioning physically fit 28 year old to a crippled crying crazy person. I think I was scaring my husband, honestly, until we both read some of your postings which were similar.

Hi everyone, I have just read all thirty pages of posts to try to find some answers to my crazy reaction to prednisone. My thoughts are with you all since I have had an usually severe reaction to prednisone. I was on prednisone for 1 week in October 2008 at 60 mg/day for a sinus surgery. I am still having the following side effects at full force:

Axiety to the point I can't socialize
mood swings
hot/sweating even in freezing weather
whole body shakes
severe migraines
tooth sensitivity
muscle pains
extreme thirst (I drink almost 2 gallons/day)
hungry all the time
moon face
water retention around waist
acne
hair loss
rapid heart rate
dizziness
nightmares
night sweats
high blood pressure
high hear rate

I'm not exaggerating, my parent's can contend to that. I do have a history of having sever reactions to medication and I've had all the gland and blood tests which all check out. I never had a single one of these before the prednisone - I was a healthy 22 year old.

I was wondering if any could tell me when this hell will end - my job and well-being depends on it!

I have been weaning off Prednisone for sometime, from 50mg down to 5mg in two week steps, 5mg at a time. I've had quite a few of the physical side effects of Prednisone, though none so severe that I would have considered not taking the drug, as it is helping the neuropathy that it was described for. When I hit the 5mg dose, I really seemed to be having trouble with my mental state. I seemed to switch back and forth from knowing what was going on to wondering if I was starting to go insane or losing touch with reality. Hard one to explain. It seems to occur later in the day when I am fairly tired. Back on 10 mg for the last three days and seem to be tired but not so mentally confused. Don't know if this is all from the Prednisone, though. Has anyone out there had any seemingly similar mental things happen on this drug. Thanks in advance for answering if you have had these experiences, they are scary and am hoping that it is the drug and not something else.

I was on prednisone while getting over pneumonia to help with my breathing. I was only on it for 7 days and the doctor didn't have me go off of it gradually. I missed the last dose on the 7th day and by bedtime, my muscles were sore enough it almost hurt to lay down. I took the last pill that night before I went to bed and had no muscle soreness in the morning. After that, the muscle soreness came back, along with dizziness. My pulse was also higher than normal. Two days later at night, I was still having muscle soreness and dizziness, although not nearly as but, but I was having a lot of trouble breathing and my pulse would refuse to go below 100 no matter what I did and the problems continued thought the night. The next morning I went to the clinic that prescribed me the predisone because the information they gave me said to see a doctor if these problems persisted. I told them I thought I might be having a predisone withdrawal because my mother, a nurse, said it was the most likely problem from experience. They completely ignored that saying it had been several days since I've stopped the steroid and kept asking me about my asthma (inhalers weren't working and it was definitely not an asthma attack -- I've had plenty of those, to all different degrees) and ended up giving me medicine for anxiety, which helped the closing of my throat, but none of my other symptoms. Three days later, my resting pulse is down to 80, but my breathing is so much worse than it would be with just my normal asthma and taking my inhalers as much as is allowed. I had no noticeable symptoms when I was on the prednisone except being less able to sleep. If it keeps up, I intend to go to a different doctor to see what is really happening, but I don't think it's 'normal' to have the withdrawal symptoms for this long after only having it for 7 days. I know I took it when I was younger (I'm 22), but I don't remember ever having issues going off of it before.

Hi everyone,

i need to tell you about what just happened to me, because it seems most people are definitely not informed of all the possible side effects of prednisone - not only just relating to the dose of prednisone you take but also for how long.

I have been using prednisone for almost 14 years now, the doctors all tell me i'm unlikely to ever get off prednisone now because i've been on it too long. I know all about it's usual side effects (water retention, mood swings, thinning of all tissues including blood, acne, anemia, etc etc).

One side effect i was not advised of, not even in any educational material about prednisone either, was that long-term dependence can lead to Acute Adrenal Crisis. Which is deadly if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Thus i nearly died two weeks ago. I became rapidly ill with vague symptoms that i now know are symptoms of acute adrenal crisis. *THE ONLY REASON THE ACUTE ADRENAL CRISIS OCCURRED WAS BECAUSE OF LONG-TERM USE OF PREDNISONE*. Not many doctors will warn patients in advance of this. It is however, very very important that people are aware that long-term use of prednisone needs to be very carefully weighed with the benefits of using prednisone (i was started on prednisone in 1995 to treat severe Crohn's Disease).

Acute adrenal crisis can happen over weeks, months or years - in other words, it can come on so slowly that by the time you know there's something wrong you're already very very ill and in great danger.

I am very glad to have found this website and i hope you will all refer anyone who has any experience with prednisone to this site - education and knowledge is power - the power to stay alive.

(by the way, the treatment for acute adrenal crisis is to load up on prednisone - seems i'll probably never be free of this drug unless i can get my adrenal glands to begin working again (as prednisone "takes over" for the adrenal glands and they effectively go to sleep, and this is especially true for long-term use)).

My sympathies to everyone who has to go through the many nasty experiences with prednisone, especially the young children (I had to start it when i was 16). It really does mess with your body and mind, and in my case, became lethal.

Please pass on all your information relating to use of prednisone to everyone you can - it really is that important and seems to be the only way to avoid most of the disasters related to prednisone use.

take care everyone,
Linda
(Australia)

Hi All - I have been off prednisone for one week and I am not doing as well as I thought I would be at this stage. My symptoms are not flaring, which is a very good thing but I am so tired and feeling very depressed and low energy. I thought I'd feel great once I was off the evil prednisone but so far I am feeling almost as bad as when I was on it. My moon face has not started to go away, which sucks, but I guess I have to be patient. I am so tired of this situation as it feels never ending. Part of the problem is I have continued to work throughout my ordeal, and it's been very hard at times to carry on like a normal person who is not sick. I have been sick since last November (with an autoimmune disorder) and I had really hoped by this time that I'd be on my way to being better :( Prednisone saved my life but the side effects are horrendous, as are the after affects of it. Good luck to all who are taking it. I share your pain and frustration.

I was prescribed prednisone for cronic sinus infections along with antibiotic for 30 days. I was not weaned off just stopped completely after 30 days. It has now been three weeks and I am suffering from swelling in feet, lower legs and hands. Any suggestions on what I can do to reduce the swelling and how long this may continue? I

Very few side effects. My father was put on 30 mg of Prednisone to control an inflammation that he was having in his body. It seemed to work well. He had also lost considerable weight, had anemia and was admitted to the hospital prior. So I wasn't worried about the common side effect of Prednisone of weight gain, as post-hospital we were glad he was gaining weight. I don't know if it was a side effect, as he only slowly gained a pound or two each week and then eventually plateaued about about his old weight.

We've now started tapering it, at my recommendation, not the doctor's!, and we are not seeing any return of side effects yet. He did have a bit of the puffy face, and is a bit compulsive, but we don't know if that's because of his Alzheimer's or the Prednisone.

I wanted to let some other know, as I've done a lot of reading/research, looking at the prescribing and pharmakinetics of the drug, it seems important that the taper is most critical when you are nearing 5 mg. This is because 5 mg is about the amount that your body naturally makes, so if your adrenal glands have stopped making it, it would take some time for them to 're-awaken'.

Therefore, the typical recommended tapering schedule is something like 10 mg per week, then slowing it down at 10 mg, and then real slow at 5 mg, eventually going to like 1 mg pills, as you try to continue down to no pills.

While I think Prednisone did put an end to a life-threatening inflammation for my father, I like many others would have liked much more upfront info and options from the docs. We are now on a slow 3 month taper schedule, that nobody realized we'd have to do when we started.

BTW, my dad has mild/moderate swelling in his ankles and toes, but nothing in his hands or abdomen. We don't know if it's because of his loss of weight, muscle and weakening of his heart, and/or some interference with his adrenal-regulation from an ACE inhibitor, Lisinopril, that he is on for his hypertension, or the Prednisone.

Any advice on the swollen ankles would be appreciated.

Are you aware about short and long term side effects of this Devil's drug??? Of course, everybody reacts differently while take or withdraw. But there are high number of people who react terribly bad!!! Doctors do not want to recognize and discuss this. They just keep silent... Do you know exactly how Prednisone works??? Nobody knows this for sure, even doctors!!! From my personal experience, and despite gradual withdrawal, I developed extremely high blood pressure, weakness, panic attacks, depression! Practically it ruined my normal life! Doctors have no clue how to deal with its devastating side effects. Steroids are not selective. When you take a steroid, the drug infiltrates the nucleus of every single one OF YOUR CELLS AND STARTS MONKEYING AROUND WITH GENES IT FINDS THERE!!! It probably plays with hundreds of genes. And just a small number of these genes control the pain and inflammation associated with inflammatory diseases, so steroids turn many of these genes off which is good thing. However, because steroids are not selective, they also regulate the genes that control kidney, liver, BRAIN, and HEART function - which is not good thing!!! It is likely that steroid treatment plays with other genes, too, including those we do not know about a lot right now...So, Prednisone pervades the entire body, which increases the likelihood of short-term side effects and long-term DAMAGE. My advice is: THINK TWICE BEFORE TAKING PREDNISONE!!!

Hi I'm 26 years old and just started 60mg pred treatment for Kidney condition called Nephrotic Syndrome. This is my 8th Relapse since i was 7years old.

Started Tabs 27th Dec and now they are really kicking in with side effects! I have a beautiful little boy and just got married and was soooo Happy. Now I'm feeling so depressed, I cant sleep , My Face has started swelling and I've eaten all inside my mouth cause I'm so hungry!! Been having a few Cramps but nothing like I've experienced in the past.
I'm trying to reduce the tablets myself so I'm not on them too long but its just not working!
I just WISH I could stop the moon face I'm developing, Its the main problem for me (causing depressed thoughts)

I agree, for me this is a horrible drug! This is the 2nd time my allergist prescribed it to me (last time was this past summer and I had severe panic attacks and thought I was losing my mind) this resulted in me returning back to my GP and him putting me back on Paxil (which I had been off of for a year). I was extremely reluctant to use this again but thought i might be able to manage it this time (with the help of Paxil).

My allergist prescribed Prednisone to me 2 weeks ago (5mg 3x's day for 3 days then, 2 2x's day then 1 for 5 days) I made up until the last 3 pills. I had severe brain fog and felt like I was floating through space. I couldn't even remember driving to work and parking my car! Extremely fatigued (I have diabetes (which is under control, but I had to keep checking my bg because I thought my sugar was dropping to low). Now, within the last week of taking the Prednisone I have experienced aching in my kidneys and I think I have a kidney infection.

Can Prednisone do this to you??

I am calling the doctor tomorrow. Today is the first day without Prednisone and I feel like I am totally out of it - really spaced out, dizzy, panicky and a bit nausea.

How long does it take for you to get Prednisone out of your system?

Survivors Of Prednisone
Type: Common Interest - Health & Wellness
Description: Many of those with auto-immune diseases such as Crohn's Disease are forced to go on a prescribed steroid known as Prednisone. The effects of Prednisone are terrible. Prednisone creates water retention (puffiness) in your face and torso. It causes severe mood swings. It also causes your hair to fall out. And that is just going on the Prednisone. Once you get off the Prednisone, you then have to deal with the adrenal insufficiency as Prednisone can shut down your adrenal glands.

There seems to be little support for people who have been on Prednisone. They seem to be left alone to deal with the side effects and the confusion and fear that it causes.

This is what this group aims to do:
***
Provide awareness of how Prednisone can and has affected lives.

So if you are feeling down or suffering from crazy mood swings or can't handle looking in the mirror anymore then come and let it all out !

I stopped taking it after 3 days without tapering and I feel vision changes not thinking straight heart beating fast and it has been 6 days since what will happen should I see a doctor

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in July. I had my colonoscopy/endoscopy the day before 4th of July. Got sick with what I thought was the flu on June 26th. That's when I first landed in the hospital (dehydrated & sick). After the diagnosis I was first put on Entocort and Pentasa (Pentasa is supposed to be a remission drug - keep you from having flare-ups). Entocort didn't work so they switched me to Prednisone. I've been on Prednisone for about 6 months now. Going from 20 mg to 40 mg and then I'm finally weaned down to 5 mg. I get to go completely off of it Jan. 13th. Scared of what other side effects might occur from coming off the drug. While on it I've had emotional problems, acne(never had a problem with it before), moon face, gained 30 pounds, joint pain (I was in therapy for as long as insurance covered. - I recommend water therapy, it helps for some people as it did me), trouble sleeping (haven't slept a full night since I got sick), certain days I'm really really thirsty, I've had sort of what I'd call restless leg (I had this before I was on this medicine but it has gotten significantly worse - mostly at night or when lying down), and dry skin.I have to say though that the WORST side effect is the FOG. It's horrible. I enjoy learning and using my brain and when I'm on this I can't think, I mix up words, and it feels like my brain is covered in cobwebs.I had to drop a calc 2 class and that got me off the track I'd set with my academics. My inflammation rate is down where it's supposed to be as of the last blood test a couple weeks ago. So I guess the Prednisone and Remicade are doing what they are supposed to - but I still don't feel as if the pain (not associated with Prednisone - caused by the disease) has gone completely away even if the inflammation has gone down. And Prednisone's effects are just horrible. Some nights I feel depressed and just want to cry and cry. The past months have been trying because of several hospital stays, switching to many different doctors (gastrointernologists, nephrologist, urologist (kidney stones), primary doctor - and they think maybe I should see a rheumatologist), and Pentasa (it began shutting my kidneys down). I just hope that when I come off the Prednisone the side effects will fade (hopefully quickly but lets be realistic - ill just be happy if they go away sometime in the next few months) and I won't flare up again. Anyone know the best way to get rid of the weight? I'm already drinking lots of water and I go walking and do exercises everyday.

QUESTION: When tapering Prednisone does anyone have a place(s) on their stomach that are sunken in and feels dry compared to the skin around it?

Anyways, I hope that everyone overcomes their difficulties, whatever they might be or concern. It's hard to have a life when you are constantly fighting your own body to stay healthy.There are plenty of situations in life that are already hard enough to deal with without medical issues of your own. Best of luck to all!

I was given prednisone for the second time this year having never taken it.
1st time was for an allergic reaction to sulfa,
thought I was having a heart attack a couple of hours after it kicked in.
(I am 28)
Lost so much strength, used to go out & do 10-15 chin-ups, couldn't get to 1.
Grouchy, weepy.
That was in August.
I November (1 week before thanksgiving) I got sick with upper respiratory, same cold as rest of my family, but it knocked me out. Doctor figured it was cause of the 5-8 cigarettes i smoked at the time,
prescribed antibiotic.
Flash to 2 weeks before Christmas:
Laying on couch, unable to breath, went to doc, given antibiotic, inhaler, and Prednisone:
2 pills 2x's a day for 1st three days, then 2 pills 1x a day next three days.
I think they where 20 mg?
I was in very bad shape,
But NOW
I had tried to give up those last few cigarettes I had held on to, since I had gotten so sick.
I had insomnia, nausia, insatiable appetite, sweating, fuzzy upper lip ( i am female)
gained 15 pounds, depression, couldn't even shower unless I dragged myself through it, quit quitting smoking to try to alleviate the depression, but this is unlike anything I have ever felt.
Oh, and the reason I am up so late,
my right thigh feels like it is dying from the inside out.
It started the day after starting the meds, that was December 21st. It is now January 3, and it won't stop. I am so worn out from it.
I can't sleep.
It's like a cramp that never ever ends, but it's down in the bone.
My 3 yr old daughter put her weight against it and I screamed.
It seems like it is walnut sized, with pain radiating out from it.
I thought I might have a blood clot, my husband brought me Aspirin tonight in bed, and now I just cannot sleep,
it doesn't just hurt, it is hurting to distraction.
I feel out of my mind,
and so old.
My stomach had been solid abs a few months ago, I worked so hard on them, now, I do not have the strength to lift a jug of milk, and my tummy looks more like pizza dough.
I am 5'6" and went from 118 lbs to 135, right now back down to 127 as I cannot eat even though I am starving, I just can't.
But I am really scared about this leg pain.
I swear there is something in there, and at night I fear it coming loose in my sleep and killing me. Mind you, I am not sitting here imagining it, i am feeling this pain in what little sleep I am getting, and the dreams start.
I was on it a short time, but it was 2 times this year, within 6 months, do you guys think it is the reason?
any thing you think would help. Thanks

I was just wondering...I've been weened off Prednisone the last month or so and today is my last pill. YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
However, I've noticed that my joints hurt and my feet oh the pain. Is this normal. I feel like my muscles are weak. walking up a flight of stairs is painful. Anyone know how long this will last or if this is something I will have to live with.

After bith my childrens births I have experienced a enigmatic skin disease / disorder which has been unclassified by dermatologists and specialists. First I experienced blisters on my torso, which crusted over and followed with severe urticaria-like wheels all over my body. Doctors placed me on Prednisone 5mg tablets ( 40mg daily) for 4 months, in which time the symptoms subsided , but the side -effects for this Mother was terrible!!! I experienced a 12kg weight-gain, uncontrollable appetite, excessive sweating, dizziness , shortness of breath and extreme hairloss. My skin thinned and OI bruised very quickly. No diagnosis could be made. After the induced -birth of my second child now, I have the same episode and had been placed on Prednisone for the second time just to cope with the swelling.

I am currently in my 7th week of using 10mg - 15mg daily with an anti-histamine. I hate the re-occuring side-effects and am very scared of all the long-term damage. Does anyone have any idea how to boost your own natural immune-defence system while being bombarded witha immuno-suppressant like Prednisone??!!!!

I believe that your own body ws made to heal itself or be healed by natural means... but how and what?? I am desperate, and have been following a anti-candida like diet ( no yeast + sugars + preserved foods) Thus far I have not been able to kick the symptoms. Any help out there would be much appreciated. Have someone experienced the same sort of symptoms???

I was prescribed 42 pills (20 days) of 10 mg Prednisone which I am to take beginning with 4 pills for four days and steadily decreasing every four days down to four 1/2 pill the last four days. I took my first dose yesterday and was told to drink lots of water. I do not wish to gain weight nor have a moon face. My doctor does not feel this will affect me in that way, but may have water retention (swelling). I am 73, and this regiment of Prednisone was prescribed to decrease inflammation due to a possible siatic nerve problem, which is causing extreme pain in my left leg. The pain is excruciating when I get up in the morning but eases down by mid morning with some pain all day and some nights if I move just the wrong way.Does anyone have a suggestion for the best foods to eat and what to avoid? I read that grapefruit juice may be beneficial.

Hello EveryOne out there...OK OK....

Now Why have I been out of touch since Sept 14th.... 2007???

I have been VERY VERY ill.....

Y'See, I went to see this new Doctor (Quack) for continued pain in my chest (sternum) area....that I have been having trouble with all Summer. (Severe Costochondritis/Fibromyalgia) By Sept 14th, this Quack who claims to be a Doctor had given me this prescription for Prednisone pills (20 mg each)....with orders to take mega doses of this toxic poison in order to combat the pain I was suffering. I was so desperate to get out of pain that I went ahead and filled the prescription and started taking the pills that eventful Friday night. I made the fatal mistake of trusting this Doctor!!!

If I had any sense God gave green apples I would have researched this a little before taking this medicine!! I would have run like all heck in the opposite direction!

I had been taking these reccomended large doses for approx two weeks back then per Doctor 'Quack's' order.... I have been hooked after the first week....and now currently desperately trying to get off of it with only marginal success!!

I have been on this Prednisone crap for some 49 days, currently and desperately trying to get off of it....with terrible side effects!! I have experienced every side effect known to the Devil himself and even discovered some new ones that I never knew was possible!? Case in point! I can't sleep night after night without terrible withdrawals all night long!!! I am forced to contend with them every night here. Not to mention I fight the withdrawals all days long too. I have this inept doctor and I am sorry I even went to him in the first place...!

The withdrawals I am now getting are harder to deal with than the original chest pain itself!!! Not to mention even eating the so-called 'wrong' foods sets off even more withdrawals almost immediately. I am now extremely sensitive to light and the sun~ not to mention.....noise....and stress....

I am much sicker from this Quack Doctor's so-called "HELP" than I ever was before....

I don't mind saying his name and trying to steer everyone away from this jerk Doctor here in Las Vegas who takes advantage of people in pain when they are desperate by feeding them toxic poisons and passing the poison off as something harmless thats gonna help them??? Just ask me who he is and I will tell you. I have no qualms about it....

Bottom line is I have spent this last month trying to get off this crap and I just found out that the withdrawals may bother me up to a YEAR after I take my last dose of this crap poison!! I have been going thru H***!!! A nightmare I would LOVE to pass onto this Quack who pretends to be a doctor!

I am down to about 7.5 mg per day now from about 180 mg that he gave me originally Sept 14 2007. Believe me this was not easy thing for me to do. I went "Toxic" on this drug weeks ago and it has affected my ability to process, think and reason properly. I feel like part of my mind is now missing or went on permanent vacation!! Dizziness,feeling like I'm gonna pass out, Brain Fog and Mass Confusion is the order for the day~depending on the time of day???

"The side effects of prednisone include adrenal suppression, which can occur with periods of prednisone use to surpass seven days. Adrenal suppression refers to the body’s inability to synthesize natural corticosteroids, resulting in a dependency on the prednisone taken by the patient. This is why doctors do not recommend the cessation of prednisone when the patient has taken it for longer than seven days. They reduce the dose gradually over a few days in the case of short-term prednisone use, and over weeks or months in the case of long-term treatment. Stopping prednisone treatment abruptly can cause the life-threatening Addison’s disease, in which in the body no longer produces sufficient amounts of adrenal steroid hormones"

I want to SUE this Doctor for making me this sick!!!!!

SDR

GRRRRRRRRRrrrrr!!!!!!!

In June I found out I had actue renal failure. One of the many medications I was given was prednisone. After a few weeks I grew so weak, tired and in a lot of pain. I even had to take a medical leave from work(4 months).
I was told to expect the moon face, hunchback, the acne..However, my sypmptoms worsened to point I didn't want to eat(lost 30 lbs) could hardly move and had to be hospitalized(almost went on dialysis). They flushed me out for a week at the hospital and avoided dialysis.
Once out of the hospital I proceeded to keep the weight off, but the side effects just mounted. I had thrush in the mouth(the worst feeling), sleeplessness, I had every side effect listed and I mean all with the exception of hallucinations and depression. The miracle was that what I was expecting weight gain, moon face did not happen.
Around September my doctor started weaning me off prednisone b/c I told him I cant take it anymore. Wouldn't you know it the minute I started getting weaned off the medication I got the moon face and acne. I cant beleive how much acne I have and the moon face and extra chin that came along with it are not cute. In 3 days I gained 10lbs and feel like I'm gainiing everyday. This might bring on the depression that has yet to occur. Why is this happening now that I'm being weaned. I started at 80mg a day and now I'm down to 30mg and next week down to 20mg.
I know this drug did its job and I pray that I dont have to be on it at all once the weaning process is over, but this is hell. I really feel doctors should tell you everything that you can expect. I didnt know enough about this drug(I know there is the internet I should have used it) and had I known then what I know now I seriously might have asked for some alternatives. This drug may be a miracle in the medical community, but for those of us who have to take it, its hell. Does anyone know how long it will take for the moon face, acne, and weight gain to go away?

I am 19 years old and I recently was taken off of it 2 years ago when I switched doctors. Prior to the switch I had been on it for 16 years. I prob have some of the worse side effects. Because it causes an increase in appetite I ate but I didn't eat all the time, and I ended up gaining over 100lbs. I have a black-brown ring around my neck and for the longest time I thought it was dirt that wouldn't come off so sometimes I scrubed my neck sometimes to the point that it was raw.I have bad acne on my back and its just horrible.I cry every single night because of the side effects.I just want to know if anyone on here can help me.

I am 21 years old and was recently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in my hands, fingers, and wrists. My doctor put my on 60 mg of prednisone at first and then had me slowly go down to 20 mg a day. I have since been trying to go off of it myself. I can't stand the side effects any longer. I have this constant charlie horse pain in my hips and legs, i am so hot and constantly flushed, i feel so depressed ( i am normally a happy all smiles kind of person ) i have done nothing but cry everyday for the past week because I just feel like so many people don't understand or believe anything I am saying. I thought maybe some of this was all in my head until I found this site. Is there any other medications out there that don't have all these terrible side effects? I feel as though the pain from the arthritis is far less worse than this.

PLEASE REPLY! ok i wrote on this board about a month ago, and i was complaining about all the horrible side effects i was having.....however things have gotten much much worse since then, and i must admit that i have been bad. very bad. i am secretly winging myself off of the steroids b/c I cannot handle the depression and not being myself anymore... I've been on Prednisone for a year now and started winging myself from 15mg when I last wrote on here to now 10 mg... my hair is falling out in HUGE clumps, and I am NOT overexaggerating when I say I am going bald... does anyone know if this could be from tapering the drug, or would you say it is probably because of my condition possibly returning from tapering the drug too low???? I just want to know if IMMENSE hair loss is affiliated with steroids...I have not seen anyone else mention anything.

I've took a very high dosage of prednisone for 6 years, from the age of ten years old. 17 years later, i still have an extreme moon face. The only thing that has ever helped me was a facial exerciser (a microcurrent devise), but those results can be hard an expensive to maintain. As anyone else ever had a moon face that wouldnt go away even after stopping their prednisone usage after a long period of time? Does anyone have any advice for me, on how i can finally get rid of this horrible extreme moonface? my face and all my facial features are swollen, including my eyelids, this has been goin on for years. I also have suffered for years from severe chronic diarrhea from an illeostomy reversal. Please help me.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in June and had to take 60mg/day for about a month. Then my doctor tapered me off it so I took 40mg/day for a week, then 30 for a week, then 20, then 10. I stopped taking Prednisone altogether about three weeks ago but have noticed little change in my weight. I gained 17 pounds over the two months I was taking Prednisone and my doctor said it should 'melt away' quickly but it has yet to do so. I've lost a little of the moon-face so that's good but the extra weight is driving me crazy and nothing I do seems to help me lose it. Anyone hava any idea how long it will take to get back to normal?

I am a 19-year-old female pre-med student who has been taking this nasty drug for exacly 1 year now.... The amount I am on continues to change, for my disease keeps returning and leaving remission. I finally get down to 10mg from 40mg, and have to go back up when symptoms return!!! This is SO discouraging. The worst part is, no one understands the physical and emotional agony this drug brings on. I'm 19 and feel like I'm 90. My body aches, my weight is constantly fluctuating, I bruise from simply being poked (being a clumsy person, I look like I am beat!!), my bones feel as if they are about to break, and I am SEVERELY despressed. Being in college and taking rigorous classes, this is just too much for me to handle anymore... My 5-year relationship with the love of my life/best friend is falling apart because of my horrible mood swings.. don't blame him for leaving. I feel as if this drug has ruined my life more than the disease itself...Does ANYONE know if one's body and mind returns to "normal" after FINALLY being off this drug??? I pray to God the answer is yes... I would appreciate someone's reply and/or insight, because my Dr. fails to tell me about ANY side effects until I mention something. PLEASE REPLY!!!

If ever you are prescribed PREDNISONE, please research your dosege, your condition,and your prescribing MD......wish I had.

I've been reading the past postings and so far have seen nothing about adrenal gland failure. My husband was on 60 mg a day since Nov. 05 (for GVHD) and they have been weening him off since. He was down to 5 mg and he just seemed to crash, no energy, panting when going upstairs, just plain tired. They tested his adrenal glands and I have read that prednisone can atrophy them so now they have upped the pred to 7.5mg which is what these glands put out usually.
Has anyone had this or know what drugs they use to kickstart the glands?
He also has the moon face, buffalo hump and budda belly but he exercises every day because of the osteo and muscle wasting.

I hate prednisone. I was given it in bursts for the last 10 years for asthma and for some reason I thought the Dr told me to stop at 10 mg and when I did my adrenal glands didn't kick in and I have been stuck on the stuff for the last 2 years since. I wean down to about 17 and then end up in the hosptial. this has happened multiple times. I was down at 17 a month ago and ended up in the er where they jacked me up to 40 and now I am at 23 but I am only able to wean at 1/4 a week at the most. I now am in menopause at 38 I have constant hot flashes rapid cycling mood swings. panic attacks. my heart races all the time I have cushings and possibly addisons now. I can't drive anymore my weight has gone up over 100 lbs my vision is constantly changing. I have pseudotumor cerebri and am now diabetic. This stuff is POISON> I also keep TONS OF FLUID ON face legs chest etc and now have to take lasix> I have tried to wean faster for the last 2 years but end up back up higher than before. I hate this drug. Don't let the Dr put you on it if you can avoid it. Also I would love to know if anyone knows of any type of inpatient facility to help with the weaning. My heart constantly skips and races on this stuff I am really afraid one day I will Die from being on prednisone. But I can't find a Dr to help me. This has ruined my life with my family if anyone can help please let me know

I have been reading the posts with great interest, and as a frequent prednisone flyer, I have a Canadian perspective that may or may not be helpful. (Please be patient as typing and prednisone don't mix with me :>)

But back to the point. During my years of prednisone useage, I have always been told that long term prednisone use shuts down the adrenal glands, not enhances it. Which is why after a period of two weeks,(the time it take for them to shut down approximately, continued use of prednisone takes over what the adrenal glands formally did. (ie. regulate metabolism, and provides resistance to stress; ie. temperature extremes, high altitudes, bleeding, infection, surgery, trauma, dental work and good old stress. It also has the bonus of raising blood pressure if and when a body needs it.) A lot of the side effects I have read come from the prednisone directly, and indirectly from non-functioning adrenal glands. Furthermore, we are told it takes roughly a year (sometimes longer), for full adrenal gland function to come back, and why, if during this time you do need surgery, dental work, or get an infection, or in an accident, it is not uncommon to have to go back on the prednisone until the 'stress' is fixed. The symptoms of low pressure (feeling faint, sweating, dizzy etc.) is usually the first sign that the adrenal glands are not working at full capacity yet.

Knowing all of that, I sincerely wish I had known that if one is depressed, anxious or suffering from panic attacks prednisone compounds the emotional problems greatly. Or
simply creates them as side effects. If you have existing psychological difficulties, sleeping 2 hours in 24, massive, unpredictable mood swings, (for me it was not so much mood
'swings' per se, more like bad, worse, and would someone please put me out of my misery.) For me, I know prednisone turns me into a 'speedfreak'. I can't sit still, can't talk, walk or smoke fast enough. I was very lucky after a stressful last year, and taking 50 mgs of predisone for 4 months, when I finally crashed, I spent 6 weeks in a psych ward basically to
contain me until I had been weaned off of the prednisone. (Ironically enough, it was a year ago tomorrow when I was hopitalized.)

So today I started taking 50 mgs of prednisone, and can already feel my heart and pulse rate excelerating. Fortunately, I no longer have the emotional distress, but during this summer I developed edema (45 pounds in a month), and high blood pressure. Both the doctor who prescribed it and the pharmacist who fill it assured me prednisone does not affect either. It only took about a minute and a half on the 'net to find out that wasn't true, (Everyone who already knew that feel free to giggle and roll your eyes a bit) after spending months working on getting the edema/HBP under 'reasonable' control. (At this point, I eat pizza and my eyes go blurry.) In closing I would be curious if any other readers have edema and/or high blood pressure before taking prednisone, and if/how much/in what way your experience has been in mixing the two.

Thank you.

Trailblazen, #12588 aka Guest, #12586

Sorry for the long post, I just wanted to be as thorough as possible. :)

About transplants; immune cells recognize the transplanted kidney as different from the rest of the body and attempt to destroy it; prednisone stops the body's normal inflammatory reaction to foreign tissue and infection lessening the chances of rejection.
However, recent studies have shown that very short term prednisone therapy (3 or so days) after kidney transplants has excellent outcomes. Because of this, new transplants are routinely being placed on steroid-free maintenance programs.
I wonder trailblazin, why they felt that long term therapy was needed in your situation?
I am happy though, that although you have the horrible side-effects, you are now off the stuff and feeling better!!! Most importantly, the transplant was a success!!

About Vitamin C; Vitamin C is important in the synthesis of hormones by the adrenal glands and a very high concentration is usually found in the adrenal and pituitary glands.
The adrenal glands are also referred to as the anti-stress glands of the body .
Well known studies have shown that aspirin, alcohol, antibiotics, and steroids increase vitamin C requirements. To make matters worse, when we are stressed, Vitamin C disappears from our blood stream too quickly especially from our adrenal glands.

We should try to get our vitamins from natural sources first. The best known food sources that contain vitamin C are citrus fruits, berries such as strawberries, melons, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, green peppers, dark green leafy vegetables and cabbages. If you take supplements, try to take 100 to 250mgs but no more then 500mgs. Supplemental Vitamin C is usually excreted if it is not utilized right away, but as with all things, it has some possible side effects at real high doses, like possible kidney stones.
I personally try to drink two glasses of OJ and try to eat yogurt, cantaloupe or tomatoes everyday. I also take 250 mgs of the chewable C in the morning, thats when our adrenals normally put out our daily cortisol.
To get the needed amounts of C, experts recommend 5 servings of fruit or vege's everyday...that seems like alot of eating for the average busy lifes we lead. :)

About insomnia; I have had insomnia most of my life. It's aweful and I feel for you!!
I have tried everything, from natural sources to pills. The only thing that works for me is keeping a routine and seeing a chiropractor. No matter how tired I am after a fitful night of tossing and turning, I get up at the same time everyday.
No napping either!! That's a killer for us insomniac's. Other things that help are keeping the room dark and serene, no tv watching in the bedroom right before going to sleep and no eating or exercise within 4 hours of going to bed.
You may want to try eating things that raise your melatonin production. Melatonin rich foods include:: spirulina seaweed, soy nuts, cottage cheese, chicken, pumpkin seeds, turkey, dried watermelon seeds, oats, sweet corn, rice, ginger, tomatoes, bananas, and barley.
Some vitamins and minerals such as B6, niacin amide, calcium, magnesium, or antioxidants may help. Other herbal remedies to consider are Valerian root, Chamomile tea, Skullcap, Passion flower, Wood betony, or California poppy.

As always, research everything before you take it. We know our bodies best and some herbs do carry possible side-effects.

The good news is that you probably have Transient Insomnia from the prednisone and it will usually disappear within a few months!! Hang in there and try a few things to help it resolve.

Again, I apologize for my abrupt and inconsiderate posts earlier on.

Best of luck to you Trail, hang in there.

Jules

PS to Guest, #12572;

For sadness (depression etc) ; B vitamins and exercise are a great all-natural way to "help" combat the side effects you are experiencing. Vitamin C will also help.

B1; Plays a key role in the body's metabolic cycle for generating energy
B2; promotes general health
B3; increases energy through proper utilization of food, maintains the nervous system
B5 thru 11; improve the body's resistance to stress, helps the adrenal glands (the temporary loss of normal function in the adrenals is one of the most common effects of prednisone)
B12; low levels cause depression

Exercise stimulates the good endorphins and over all feelings of well being.

Because Prednisone can cause havoc on the adrenal glands, it is suggested that people do everything they can to support the adrenals during and after prednisone therapy;
(The adrenal glands secrete several important hormones that help maintain the balance of many body functions. Stress, fasting, temperature changes, infections, drugs such as prednisone, and exercise all stimulate the adrenals to release their hormones. When the adrenals release too few or too many hormones, the body responds differently to the everyday stresses of life.
The adrenal cortex is involved in the production of glucocorticoids (such as cortisol i.e. hydrocortisone), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone) and androgens such as androstenedione and DHEA. A mild to moderate adrenocortical deficiency can substantially reduce your quality of life, yet this condition is not recognized by most doctors, who only think of the adrenal gland's condition as being at either extreme - normal or in overt failure.
Symptoms of adrenal deficiency include depression, irratibility, fatigue, and exaggerated stress responses.

We need to remember that while taking prednisone, we were actually supplementing our own cortisol production and levels and it might take some time for our own cortisol productions to return to normal.

Best Wishes

To the person that said weight gain is an excuse...have you ever heard of Cushing's syndrome or disease..well I've had both. The disease is an over production of steriods that your adrenal glands produce and is usually caused by a tumoron the adrenals or pituitary gland. In my case it was on the pituitary gland. I've always weighed around 125. The tumor caused me to have a moon face and gain so much weight that people didn't recognize me. I also had to have a hip replacement because the high amounts of steriods in my system caused avascular necrosis of the hip. I was 33 at the time. Now, two years later and cured from the Cushing's disease because of surgery to remove the tumor, I am on prednisone for colitis. I had lost all of my weight from the Cushing's until I started taking pred. again. I've only been on them for 3 months and am down to 5mg. I am depressed and very anxious, and Xanax is NOT helping.

Never stop taking predisone cold turkey you can get secondary addisons Adrenal glands use cortisone and stop or slow down when this drugis stopped cold turkey Your glands will stop prodution and you will have to take predisone the rest of your life Take this advise from one who has been there Check out web sites on Secondary Addisons its all there

I would love to tell you that they disappear immediately.. but they won't. Someone on this message board mentioned "1 month for every week you were on the drug" . So far, that seems about right to me.

You REALLY should have listened to us. Cold turkey is NOT recommended. Here's the deal. Your body makes hormones in the adrenal glands. Prednisone replaces those hormones and the adrenals STOP. Quitting cld turkey means you are now missing vital hormones. I don't know how serious but it can't be a good thing.

A friend of mine did the same thing. He was on 10 for a while.. then just stopped. He was in agony for 24 hours and it was over. He wasn't on the drug very long in total which may be a contributing factor.

TALK TO A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.. relying on the board (as informative as we may be) doesn't replace their knowledge. If you can't trust a doctor.. talk to your pharmacist. They have the same confidentiality and will help you.