November 16th
2009
10:13 AM
Where do I begin. I've been on prednisone for about 3 months now, and I feel like it has ruined my life. After having my son in February of this year I went for my 6 week check up and found out that I had high blood pressure and my kidney function was low. Before this I was pretty healthy. So, I was put on 30mg of prednisone in hopes that it would reduce or erase the inflammation. It reduced it for a while, then it went back up. While on the darn drug, Ive experienced moon face, weight gain, Im always hungry, acne, shortness of breath, and paining in my legs and back. The worse side effect has been the mood swings and anxiety, probably because it took something terrible happening to realize that they were really happening. My boyfriend told me that the drugs were making me act different, but I just thought he was picking on me as he did with my weight gain. Turns out, I have read everyone elses post and realized that many people experience what he says I've been going through. As a result of my mood swings and being so mean and demanding, my relationship may be over. I wish that he would understand that it's not me, it's the medication, but I can't convince him. Thats weird, especially since he pointed it out to me months ago. So now, I hate this drug. It's not making me better and it was a contributor in ruining my relationship. I want to just stop taking it, but Im scared I will get even sicker. There is no hope here.
-- By jeresmom | Reply | Private Message me
November 6th
2009
5:24 PM
I'm a 56 year old male. I'm taking pred as a trial therapy for CIDP, which can be described as MS "lite". The treatment has been three days of one gram per day methylprednisolone infusion, followed, for the rest of the month, by 20 mg prednisone a day. Then another three days of infusions, etc. It's called "pulse treatment." Side effects have been a bit of insomnia, mainly during the three-day period of infusions, feeling a little hyper, slightly hoarse voice, huge appetite. I seem to be able to control these rather well, and haven't gained weight, so far. I'm told I look a little flushed, but don't have a Barry Bonds face, noy yet anyway. The two side effects that have been problematic: Flatulence. Ever read Confederacy of Dunces? I feel like Ignatius O'Reilly. The most problematic has been the urge to pee, which is most intense a couple of days after the infusions are complete. It's really intense for two or three days, then subsides a bit, but still makes me get up in the middle of the night, something that I've only rarely experienced before. Tests for urinary tract infection are negative. Will do this treatment for a few more months and then get spinal tap and EMG test to see if there's an improvement. Haven't noticed any so far, but that's expected.
-- By jmarch | Reply | Private Message me
November 6th
2009
5:00 AM
Howdy,
I was recently suffering with severe constricted airway, probably due to allergies. My Dr. put me on 10 days of 10mg Prednisone, 4 for 4 days, 3 for 3 days.... I was in a fog the whole time. I sometimes had to stop and think, where am I and how did I get here, not good when you are driving down the road. I felt like I had no control over anything. And my eating habits did a 360. I did not want to eat anything other than pastries and drink cokes, which is not typical of me at all! I have been off for about 5 days now and keep getting terrible headaches and muscle aches. I go from feeling like my old self for an hour or so to all of a sudden feeling like I have been beat up and all I can do is just sit around.
I don't think I want to ever take this again unless it is absolutely life or death. I am breathing wonderfully now however. I hope these lingering side effects pass soon.
November 5th
2009
6:00 PM
Prednisone has messed up my head. I had Bells Palsy (which is paralysis of one half of the face) and can be very scary. I have had some depression before but this stuff made me fall off the face of the earth. I went from someone in control and quite happy to the absolute pits. The depression was quite severe and sudden and I had no ability to stop the downward spiral. It has played havoc with my life. In its defense, it cleared the Bell's Palsy up very quickly but the grief it has caused me through my altered mind state wasn't worth it. Insomnia (eg - no sleep for 6 nights straight) was a trigger and then the mood swings took over and then bang....full blown depression and an inability to focus, work properly or function. I am now on the road to recovery but it has been a pretty turbulent 2 months. Be very careful with this drug....very, very careful.
-- By roger12 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
November 5th
2009
1:23 PM
I am 50, pretty healthy, but have had a new condition of inflamed and severely painful joints and muscles limiting activity. Doc put me on 60 mg prednisone for 3 days, then 40 mg 3 days and 20 mg 3 days. First day was ok. Since then I have been a raving lunatic! I read the post about the person chasing their cat around and had to laugh and relate. I flipped off the neighbors workers because they were backing up a truck and it was noisy! It is all I can do to keep myself in check. I have canceled/rescheduled all unnecessary appointments until next week when I am finished. I "sleep" about 3 hours a night. Last night I peed the bed. I eat constantly. I have to work and concentrate (teach college) and that is so hard. I imagine my students must think I am on meth. I can't take it any more. I have 1 day left and I am not going to take the last one. I hope that this regimen will have calmed down the inflammation and if it recurs I will seek alternatives. AM NEVER going back to prednisone unless it is life or death situation.
Good luck to all those out there who have to take it long-term. Bless your hearts.
November 5th
2009
6:06 AM
From time to time I take prednisone to control outbreaks of arthritis in the knees and some other allergic conditions like coughing, headache and nasal stuffiness. I seem to be getting much more sensitive to it and I find it makes me angry and depressed.
I am however grateful for this because it has helped me remove optimistic delusions from me of my own foolishly optimistic ideas and has also let me see the shallow and grasping natures of all those around, friends, family and strangers alike, revealing total spiritually worthlessness of modern life, indeed life as it likely always was, wrapped up in complete insincerity.
And no, I'm not going to hurt myself or others, because it is so great to walk along the streets of Beijing seeing the passersby knowing that inside of each one, every one of them, they are being eaten by their worms of jealousy, fear, insecurity and inferiority and their greedy desire to take small advantages of each other like little rodents fighting over scraps.
Thank you prednisone for this warning, which I will not soon forget.
-- By regmedford | Reply | Private Message me
November 4th
2009
2:12 PM
My daughter was being treated for headache pain and eye pain. She was put on prednisone z-pack which did nothing. The pain got worse so she spent 2 weeks in the hospital where they were giving her 1000 mg bags of prednisone in her IV. She finally came home and nothing was found. They did numerous MRI's catscans, you name it. A week after she was home she developed severe pain in both legs we believe is from coming off of prednisone. Does anyone know how longs this lasts, and what can be done about it. She averages 1-2 hours of sleep. She is on every kind of pain medication known to man but nothing helps. Please help!!
-- By bearer2 | Reply | Private Message me
October 30th
2009
6:49 PM
I received prednisone intravenously at the hospital to prevent a severe reaction from receiving platelet transfusion. I have a bleeding disorder and IgA deficiency. Because of my bleeding disorder I have to receive platelet transfusion before any surgical procedures. When I receive the platelet transfusion 20 mins into receiving the platelets my face feels flush and a tightness and pain in my facial bones. I get a sudden headache with severe pressure pain in my head so severe that you feel as if your head is going to explode. My doctor recommended the use of prednisone to prevent me from having this reaction. 20 minutes after receiving the prednisone intravenously I felt my face turn flush with facial bone pain and a pressure around my face and top of my head. I felt the pressure in my head, but not the pain which I would get from the platelet transfusion. That night I had dizziness,severe headache,nausea,stomach pains,severe sweating,over heated,weakness and unable to concentrate. This went on for 2 days straight. Today is the 3rd day and I still can feel a slight pressure on the top of my head. I also felt eye pressure and I still have the headaches. I am schedule to see my doctor in 3 weeks and I will tell him that I will not take Prednisone ever again. I am sure there are other medications that can be given.
-- By novrain96 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 30th
2009
10:10 AM
I was put on a 13-day DexPak and got off of it after 6 days! The doctor wanted to try it before surgery of spurs in my neck. The side effects are horrible. Finally my heart is slowing down and the itches have subsided, but the weakness and shakes remain. I'm also numb in parts of my body and everything tastes like salt water. When does this stop? It's been 36 hours.
-- By linda8 | Reply | Private Message me
October 29th
2009
9:27 PM
I have had rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years,controlled reasonably well with a combo of methotrexate, naproxen and enbrel. I do a 10 day course of prednisone several times a year for bad flares. I absolutely hate taking prednisone because it turns me into a crabby, edgy, insomniac who can't stop eating. It makes me bloat and that REALLY makes me nuts because I've done so well at weight watcher's, I don't need that nasty, upset stomach over full bloat feeling. And the "roid head" headache thing ? I'm on the phone all day at work so that's bad, too. The insomnia is the worst, really, because I just lie there awake. When I stop taking it I return to normal within 2 days. I only do it when I am absolutely desperate - I already lost some tendons in my left hand to arthritis related damage so I tend to use the prednisone when the fluid builds up in the right hand or if I'm really too sore. I'm also aware that long term prednisone usage is a one way ticket to osteoporosis / osteoarthritis, so I really have to feel like I cannot deal before I take it. It's a hate/hate relationship.
-- By carribeth | Reply | (3) replies | Private Message me
October 28th
2009
3:56 PM
Hi all, im so glad i found this site as many are too. Im 22 years old and was diagnosed with colitis at 14 and was put on 40 mg of prednisone to combat it. I can honestly say it generated the worst time in my life.. I went back to school and was overwhelmed with massive panic attacks feeling like my heart was gonna rip through my chest. Big moon face etc. I recently have had an attack and was put back on steroids its always my last last resort. I just feel very detached and anxious all the time constantly feel like im lost. I am now in the process of stopping them first day without 1 and I feel as explained. The worst thing is that no one seems to understand the effects, they cant understand why you'd rather be ill than go through with them. its not good for you on the whole. Good health is the unity and prosperity of all aspects; Body Mind Soul. Hope the best to all.
-- By subsypher | Reply | Private Message me
October 26th
2009
5:57 PM
I've been on prednisone for nearly 3 years continuously for Ulcerative Colitis. I've been on 60 mgs for quite a while but I am now down to 4 mgs. Once I went below 10 mgs. I started experiencing severe itching on my entire scalp and then upper back, ears and collar bone. I went to a dermatologist but she can't see any reason for the itching. Has anyone else had this side effect while tapering? It's making me crazy!
-- By catcraze | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 26th
2009
12:09 PM
Hello I am 40 yrs old and got a lung infection which cause swelling in my lungs so the put me on high doses of prednisone via IV for 21 days in the hospital. The drug saved my life and took it at the same time.
After I got out of hospital i was on 60 mg for 6 weeks the 30mg for 6 weeks then 20mg the 10mg. It has been a living HELL over the last 5 months or so.
I told my DR. i have very bad blurred vision and he said it because the med runs my sugar up but I check my sugar and limit my sugar and it around 100 all the time which is normal soits not sugar. Then he said well them you need to see an eye dr. cuz your eyes are going bad. I begged to differ with him and told him if there was something wrong w my eyes then why is is one day I see fine and the next day all blurred and then back to normal!? it this stupid steroid if you ask me plus on day my right eye is bad and next day my left uggh!
The WORST side effect it the brain fog as yall call it. OMG I feel like im loosing my mind and going crazy. The dr. says hes never heard of such with a wise remark and says you know where your at now right? I know where i am and what I say but I feel like its not really happening. Its like im dreaming it. I feel like Im trapped in my head and I lookout blurry eyes.
Before I was a very confident independent person but now I feel scared all the time i feel hopeless and ive went through 3 girl friends over the summer because of the extreme forward attitude the med gives me. I am not the same person I was. I some time just want to die. I'm extremely tire if i do any exercise at all.
Plus I have all the other typical side effect like the moon face and weight gain. I don't even look the same cuz my eyes have huge bags under them and a double chin I never had.
I feel for all of you because i know what your going through.
I saw one comforting post in here where someone said within 2 weeks of completely getting off the pred. he was his normal self.
I CAN TELL YOU HOW GLAD I WAS TO READ THAT!
Please if you have finished the med and have got back to normal don't forget about this post. Please let us know because we need any hope we can get to keep our chins up and not loose hope and go completely crazy or worse kill ourselves.
I have about 4 more months of this LIVING HELL and I will surely let you all know if it get better. If you have come off of it and are reading this PLEASE let us know if we get back normal at least w the brain fog. I can take all the side effect ok except for the crazy dream zone zombie feeling.
I WOULDN'T WISH THIS KINDA HELL ON THE DEVIL HIM SELF!!
Let's pray for each other that the Lord keep out minds strong until we get off the nightmare drug call Prednisone.
side effects:
brain fog, blurred vision, puffy eyes, depression, confusion, dizzy, moon face, buffalo neck hump neck, hopelessness
October 23th
2009
3:51 PM
HI there I took Prednisone for most of my life till 19 because of Asthma. I am now 33. At 22 I had Osteoporosis in my my back and leg. I have not been on prednisone for many years and have been asthma attack free for 10 yrs. I am now trying my best to get my bones in shape. I am fairly healthy despite depression, anxiety and low thyroid my weight is a slim 120lbs at 5'7. I don't regret taking prednisone from a child as I needed it. I do get dressed that my body is tired and aches but who knows if this is from prednisone or not. It saved my life many times.
-- By cdvp1 | Reply | Private Message me
October 22th
2009
9:18 PM
I was on Prednisone a couple years ago and it gave me severe insomnia, I ended up tapering as quickly as possible, I was so wired I couldn't function. My son was started on it today, and I was a bit worried about letting him take it, he has asthma and is in the middle of a flare up that started 5 days ago and isn't getting much better. So we started the Prednisone tonight, and within an hour he almost had an accident with diarrhea which is not like him at all, he is a 30 minute on the toilet taking his time kind of boy. Now I'm worried it's going to be a long night, and worry that tomorrow nights dose will be worse?
-- By meds101 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 22th
2009
6:45 AM
Hey Guys,
I'm new to all this but just wanted to share my story with everyone so I feel like i'm not so alone! I'm 23 and was diagnosed with SLE 3 years ago.
It started in my joints and then moved to my kidney's real fast. I now have stage 4 nephritis, finished 6months of cyclophosphamide in Feb and have been on no less than 40-20mg of pred for about 2years. Just when things were starting to look better it has stared in my blood so they are trying to up my dose again. It has thinned my bones so I am on special meds for that now too.
I know taking the pred is something I need to do to live but it comes at a really high price. I don't even look like the same person I used too because of the moon face. I know it's shallow but at 23 it is almost as bad as having to live with this disease. I now have really low self esteem and get anxious all the time, which is affecting my job. As much as I want to come off I also worry that I would have to stop work again as the pred is what keeps me going. All I want to do is get off it though! Anyone know any alternatives? Also, just wondering if you guys are still drinking alcohol while taking pred?
Thanks for listening guys!
October 18th
2009
8:05 PM
short and unsweet, was put on it for osteoarthritis by a bone doctor ,took it for 1 week and had to get off it because the side effects were horrible. panic attacks, severe mood swings, dizziness, disorientation and more. The worst was yet to come 2 days after I told my doctor I couldn"t take it anymore. I was getting ready for work and thought I was having a heart attack. I drove myself to my doctor (praying the whole way, cuz God is in charge). He took my blood pressure which was 200/187. I was rushed to the hospital where I was admitted and put in the cardiac unit overnight for observation. Thank God I was released the next day with no APPARENT side effects. I have not been right since. I still have panic attacks, severe mood swings and fluctuating blood pressure. Do yourself a favor and when anyone mentions Prednisone RUN! Oh, I forgot to mention my doctor said had I waited another 20 minutes I could have been a goner. My osteoarthitis is worse(now I have to see another specialist) and I have medical bills out the wazoo. Prednisone is a very very dangerous drug nd the doctors are still prescribing it. What is wrong with this picture.
-- By hkrape49 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 18th
2009
4:45 AM
9 day course of prednisone for a rash on my face and neck.
started getting big zits right after i stopped and now 3 months later am still getting them, especially around my period. i had been acne free for a year and a half prior to this.
has anyone had effects like this for such a long time after stopping the prednisone?
October 18th
2009
4:44 AM
i took a 9 day course of prednisone for a rash on my face and neck, and as soon as i stopped taking it, i started breaking out again ( i had been free of acne for a year and a half prior).
it is now 3 months later and i am still getting really huge zits. i am wondering if it could still be from the prednisone and what i should do about it...did anyone else notice an effect from prednisone that lasted this long?
-- By lulu77 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 17th
2009
2:02 PM
I went to the doctor Wednesday for a swollen foot which was diagnosed as gout. The doctor gave me a shot of prednisone mixed with something else (?). Within two hours my groin, hip, thigh, and stomach was in pain. It is now Saturday and I can barely walk I am in so much pain. Has anyone else has this problem after only one injection?
-- By montana836 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 11th
2009
7:40 AM
Extreme scarring in my teenage daughter - several "stretchmarks" that are treatable by laser and insurance considers coverable but refused to pay the treatment - $1200.00.
Scars cover over 50% of her body and are spreading.
-- By k2sfi | Reply | Private Message me
October 10th
2009
3:31 AM
i went 2 the specialist yesterday that put me on the prednisone due 2 me having crohns as the joint pain in my ankle has been so painful and his now told me that the prednisone has giving me arthritis im really upset about it im 25 and im in a lot of pain the specialist said 2 go home and rest my ankle for the weekend its been 2days and its still not better iv got 2 go back and see him on Monday and if it hasn't improved which i doubt it will his going 2 change my medication he wanted 2 up the dosage of prednisone to 30mg as im down to 10mgs now and i told him that i have received every side effect possible 2 the prednisone and its just starting to reverse and there is no way im going to le you put me on a higher dosage i want 2 come off this drug as quick as possible and he surgesseted another medication that will help with the arthritis in my ankle but it will make me nausea i told him id rather that then all the symptoms iv been having in the last month then be put back on the prednisone
-- By nes09 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 10th
2009
12:45 AM
I was prescribed medrol by my GP due to an ongoing rash that needed to get under control. I believe I had the 40mg dose/wein pack. The first two days I felt as though I were on speed. Day 2 at the grocery store I stopped to take my blood pressure because I was sure my heart was racing out of my chest. Thankfully, it wasn't and happened to be palpitations that I was having. I had hot flashes where my face and chest would get red like a sunburn. There were the sweats and the leg weakness/soreness. I did have sporadic headaches but, nothing a Tylenol wouldn't alleviate thank goodness. I've read here that numerous people had very bad headaches. My last day on the meds I started to experience the fatigue. Today is my first full day off and I certainly felt flu like. Sporadic lightheadedness, weakness and fatigue that would all come and go throughout my workday along with sporadic energy. I'm glad that I found this site so at least I know that this is normal and will subside in a few days. Other side effects I experienced were worsening of my post nasal drip along with a funny taste in my mouth, mood swings, insomnia, hyperactivity and muscle aches.
-- By kerijean | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
October 6th
2009
8:52 AM
iv been diagnosed with crohns 2months ago iv now been on prednisone for 4weeks i started on 40mg and now down 2 15 the last week my ankles have swelled up and now my right ankle is so painful to touch and walk on, and nothing is making it better, pain killers don't work, massaging it doesn't work, putting deep heat on it so to night i iced it for 15 mins and put a heat pack on it several times the pain went away for 10mins and came back its so painful im almost in tears, im down 2 15mg now so im not eating as muchas i was b4 i wasn't getting full i just keeped eating, my mood swings arnt as bad iv got moon face as they call it and i hate it as theirs no shape at all 2 my face, im getting pimples as will iv retained all this fluid and i feel like a marshmallow can someone please tell me that this pain will go away or is their something i can take 2 make it go away this is the worst medication in the whole world when i get off the prednisone and i have another flar up id rather have the runs and stomach cramps then all this drama iv been having in the last 3weeks iv also changes my whole diet and its made a huge difference 2 how i feel
-- By nes09 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
October 5th
2009
1:51 AM
This for a shoulder injury I was taking 80mg a day just for a couple days.
However that same day I got flu shot then read in the Interactions not to get any vaccinations may cause serious complications. Three days later got a steroid shot the started to reduce the meds, feel terrible, night sweats,heart burn, every thing I drink taste like salt,having to urinate all the time. being dizziness, up till wee hours in the morning.
October 4th
2009
12:39 AM
i was put on prednisone 3 days ago due to asthmatic bronchitis. i was put on 60 milligrams a day. which to my understanding is a really high dosage.
long story short my cat would not stop meowning and it made me so darn angry that i wanted to throw him around the room and kept chasing him around screaming at him to shut the bleep up and tearing him out of the window every time he tried to get up in the window. i love my cat dearly and he is like my child. i have never EVER treated him badly. he gets more love and affection than most people give their children. he was crying and scared to the point of defecating all over my room. this had no affect on me. it just made me more angry. normally when an animal is scared or hurt i am incredibly empathetic.
on top of it i have had severe nose bleeds, and severe heart palpitations. this is after only being on it for three days.
i know this product is good for its purpose but as far as the side effects go, i think i would just rather live with my asthma symptoms. i was scared that i was going to lose control and injure myself or my cat or anyone who got in my way. i do not recommend this drug by any means.
October 2th
2009
3:14 AM
I've been prescribed Prednisone since April and just recently experiencing hair loss (I'm Female)
-- By celinestuckey | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 24th
2009
7:05 PM
I have been taking prednisone for three years and I love it! It has helped me out with breathing problems and arthritis pain. I take a small does every day. And when I am without it I have trouble breathing and have painful arthritis pain. This drug has done wonders for me.
-- By foxylady628 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 24th
2009
7:02 PM
I have been taking prednisone for three years now and I love it. When I am off of it I cannot breath and I get fluid in my lungs and my arthritis comes back and I ache all over. I could not live without it. The only side effects I have is a little weight gain, sweating, and moon face but the side effects are better than the all over acheing and not being able to breath. This drug has been very good to me.
-- By foxylady628 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 24th
2009
11:56 AM
I am so relieved to have found this site... i have been miserable for almost 2 weeks, i broke out with hives last week and never found the cause but with that and some breathing problems they put me on prednisone. I have been miserable since, i couldn't eat drink sleep or do anything else at all pretty much and i have had diarrhea, and a ton of other symptoms... i feel bloated acid reflex muscle aches headaches dizziness chest pain & pressure very weak feeling mood swings and depression the jitters and heart racing and from what i read and researched this is all from the steroid prednisone.... thankfully the doctor ended my dosage sooner than it was prescribed and last night i took my last pill... i now am just wondering when or how long will it be till i feel myself again and can have a good nights rest?? I will never use this medicine again!! I am just soo relieved to have found some answers on here.
-- By carlie81790 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 19th
2009
3:35 PM
ive been taking prednisone for 2 doses..(2 days0 my legs were so sore when i woke up the first day i could barely stand i did do a little running around i am 28. but nothing that would have caused this.its painful to sit because it causes them to get stiff. it hurts to walk because it causes them to have to straighten out. its a catch 22. i cant call my doctor until Monday. so i don't know what else to do. no matter what i cant stop taking them im told.so i have no idea what to do. im in so much pain i cant barley do anything.
-- By scarlette | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 19th
2009
3:32 PM
ive been on prednisone and cortisone..2 doses i woke up and couldn't move my legs at all. the more i walked the more it hurt..the more i sat the worse it was to stand up and walk..idk what to do..i have to take this for the rest of my life..its just terrible to move.and my doctor wont be around for 3 days.
-- By scarlette | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 13th
2009
7:47 PM
I had a bulging disk and a pinched nerve and was put on PREDNISONE - 60mg for 5 days, then 40 mg for 5 days and then 20 for 5 days. I had a round face to begin with, which I always hated, but now, my face just looks like a balloon that someone painted a face onto. I have a huge face, a double chin, huge stomach, I look 5 months pregnant and I absolutely HATE myself on this drug. I've been off now for a week and nothing has subsided except the sweats -- very embarrassing! I work and in the middle of a meeting, I sweat so badly that it rolls off my giant red face in rivulets. I'm just miserable. Does anyone know how long it takes to get rid of the side effects of this demon-drug?? I want to stay in the house and hide.
-- By mare826 | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 10th
2009
3:07 PM
I was diagnosed with my first case of bronchitis at 41 in August. I am female and was diagnosed with diverticulitis in July, for which I was given dual antibiotics for 10 days. I thought those side effects were bad, but I am beginning to believe PREDNISONE is worse!
I took a 12 day declining dose regimine, prescribed 3 days after I started a zpack for bronchitis that was worsening, not getting better. I had the rapid heartbeat at times, but really no effects.
My effects begin AFTER finishing the course of PREDNISONE a week ago. Two days ago, I broke out with tiny pimples all over my jawline. The next morning , they were covering my upper chest, neck, cheeks, temple and forehead. They are still there today and worse. They look horrible. I've never had acne in my life and I am supposed to be doing job interviews now. Looks like they'll have to wait. It's embarrassing. Makeup does not cover at all--it's almost like bad hives, there are so many I can't count. I have researched this and it's called steriod-induced acne and I suppose I'm going to have to go out and get some face wash with salicylic acid and some benzyl peroxide or something!
My second bothersome symptom, which started yesterday, is headache. I have never had headaches in my life. The pain started around 4pm when I would move my head, turn my head, look down or up or simply swallow. The pain was directly in the back of my head at the base of the skull. It migrated then behind my eyes and cheekbones. It lasted all night
and whenever I would sit up (not sleeping well either, awoke four times last night) or stand up--boom--there was the pain. Thankfully it lasted 12 hours and for about three hours now I've had really bad pain behind my eyes and cheeks. I took a couple advil just now. I am guessing these are the headaches Prednisone is famous for.
The third symptom has been sweating. Like crazy. Two days after finishing my dose, I would sit at kitchen table and just POUR sweat. Same thing this morning at breakfast. This seems to be a morning occurrence. Thank goodness I am job hunting now. I could not work with these symptoms.
My fourth symptom isn't so bothersome but is sensitivity to sunlight and blurry vision. I noticed the blurry vision once starting the Prednisone.
How long will these last? There are so many side effects you all have shared I wonder if anyone will even see this. I don't see acne, but a google search revealed a dermatologist causing acne after Prednisone the steroid-induced acne referenced above.
For reference, I will NEVER take Prednisone again. How easily I've forgotten the mood swings. The best part of Prednisone for me was it healed my bronchitis in about 10 days. The worst? The constant, epic dreams that lasted all night and involved constant problem-solving. I'm a lucid dreamer, but these weren't lucid. The themes were tied to daily life, something ridiculous I had heard on tv, and went on and on--almost psychotic. No nightmare quality--just very unpleasant and downright odd.
I will tell my doctor that under no circumstance will I take this drug again. I'm asking friends to recommend detox programs. I guess I should go to a steam room and exercise and sweat a lot, but the pain behind my eyes and my tiredness (oh yeah, forgot to mention that at 3pm each day I'm hit with terrible exhaustion) prevent me from doing that, or job hunting, or going to job interviews.
This better resolve this weekend. Being sick is no fun, but side effects from drugs shouldn't be worse. Apparently many people are sensitive to this drug!
-- By greenergoods | Reply | Private Message me
September 9th
2009
7:55 PM
Hello,
How long do side effects last after completing steroid treatment? I've been off of pred for 4 months for crohn's first time. I was on 40/30/20/10 for a 6 week period. When I got to 30 my legs went into extreme pain. They felt like they were on fire, burning knees. Went to several doctors. One said steroid withdrawal, one said inflammation of nerves from Crohn's. Neurologist put me on neurontin to get off of the pain meds. I am still in excruciating pain and wondering if it really is steroid withdrawal. I can barely walk at times with extreme sharp pains, like someone is stabbing me in the legs. Can't stand for long periods of time and pain pills barely touch the pain. During steroid treatment, they gave me 3 rounds of Dilaudid in the ER and I was still crying, and I don't cry. Has anybody ever had this effect this long after being off the drug??
September 7th
2009
4:50 PM
I am 24 and have suffered from severe to moderate acne my entire life. I have tried every cure out there and nothing has worked. I went on prednisone for an skin allergic reaction about 2 weeks ago. I started out with 50mg on the first day, and 40 mg the next, 30 the next day, and so on. I took it for a week. By the second day of taking prednisone, my acne was 100% cleared up and has been gone since. Now that I am off the medication, my acne is coming back. The only side effect from this drug was insomnia and CLEARING of acne. Does anyone have any idea why I had such a weird reaction to this drug?
-- By michellezerbi | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
September 4th
2009
12:49 AM
My husband was prescribed 80MG of Prednisone a day because he had cerebellitis. Yes, they saved his life so for that I'm happy, but now he is out of the hospital and I have little to no patience with him. He is crying all the time. Everything I say or do makes him cry (and he's never been the crying type). He is needier than he's ever been before and I go to school full time and work full time so I have very little time to spare. It is very difficult to have all my home time taken up by everything he is afraid of----because that is all he can think about. In fact when he can't cry or talk to me about his fears (about not getting better) he obsesses about them keeping him from sleeping. We are finally able so go off the the medicine so I'm hoping that his anxiety will go away with the meds!
-- By niffer | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 3th
2009
2:04 PM
I was put on 20 ml prednisone a day for PMR . My doctor said with such a low dose I shouldn't experience many side effects. WRONG! The first month was great. No pain and I felt better than I'd felt in years. Then the side effects started...every known side effect hit me. After being on the drug for two months I told my doctor I couldn't stand the side effects any more and to please ween me off. Two weeks ago which was end of third month I was completely weened off the drug. I still have blurred vision so bad I can't function...I can't work, I can't drive, I can't read. I can barely see at all. My question is will my vision improve? So far its seems to be getting worse and my vision was great before prednisone.
Depression was bad when I was on drug but seems to be even worse now that I'm off.
The only side effects that have diminished are appetite even though I haven't lost one oz of 40 lb weight gain while I was on prednisone and muscle cramps are not quite as bad. I am sleeping a little better and hot flashes aren't as bad..
-- By eambrose | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
September 3th
2009
12:48 AM
Prednisone is horrific! I went on it 10 months ago for autoimmune hepatitis which now I realize was a major mistake. I was to take 40 a day but only agreed to 20. Now I have very high blood pressure and am on Bystolic and Vasotec. I have gained 30 lbs and am seeing a shrink!. I have tapered the dose down to 5mg much to the docs dislike but I am depressed, anxious and a bit suicidal. Also, my lovely head of hair is at least halved and I look 7 months pregnant. Soon I'll become anorexic cuz I refuse to live any longer like this. Anyone else feel the same?
-- By deb1228 | Reply | Private Message me
September 1th
2009
1:24 AM
After my kidney transplant I was taking 40mg a day and only weighed slightly over 100lbs. I felt all of the same side effects: trembling, sweating, bloated tummy, paranoia, confusion, horrible acne, insatiable hunger, bad headaches. I started taking the pill and this helped a lot with acne and hair growth that started to appear. Ask your doctor if you can taper down to a more manageable dose. I'm still on prednisone and probably will be for the rest of my life, but I was firm with my doc and got it down to 7.5mg MWF. This level is much easier to deal with, and although I still have a slight "moose hump" (some kind of name) and disappearing eyebrows, my hair loss has evened out and I'm happy with what I have. Like many of you I used to have really thick hair. Things will get better, you just have to be persistent. No one should live that way, it's horrible and I don't think that doctors understand the drastic drop in quality of life that occurs.
-- By kat8181 | Reply | Private Message me
August 30th
2009
10:27 PM
I have MS and had to do a course of prednisone steroids. I was very irritable and just felt plain crazy. I have been off of them for ten days and am experiencing really bad shaking in my hands and am often tongue tied. I guess it could from the MS attack but was wondering if anyone else was having these side effects.
-- By kerik | Reply | Private Message me
August 29th
2009
7:38 PM
Over two years ago I had a very severe case of shingles which had gone untreated for over 4 days. I was given acyclovir for the virus, acetaminophen for the pain, a diuretic to lessen the high blood pressure and weight gain I would suffer from taking prednisone. I started with 60 mg of prednisone and the dosage gradually eliminated over 6 weeks time. I gained over 40 pounds.
After the prednisone I suffered the following side effects: gained 15 more pounds, feet and ankles started swelling, I stopped sweating except profusely on my forehead. It took a year before I could sweat on my whole head, but nowhere else.
This year I am now sweating on my chest and head and nowhere else, I have gone down two dress sizes without changing my eating habits or exercise habits. My face is still round.
I am hoping the fact that I am an ovo-lacto vegetarian (30 years) isn't what's making the side effects last this long. This was the first time I had ever been given prednisone, and was told only about the high blood pressure and weight gain as a problem.
-- By vrose | Reply | Private Message me
August 29th
2009
7:35 PM
I used prednisone for sinus inflammation and it gave me bad side effects such as: irregular heartbeat and stomach upset and anxiety. It actually did help with the inflammation but I stopped using it because of the side effects. It made my lip puff out too, which i did not mind because i have small lips and i looked better with a bigger lip, lol! I am thin so if it made me swollen i did not care because i need to gain weight, i am only 105 lbs. I just started taking methylprednisolone tablets packet and they seem to work better and if it causes increased appetite that would be good for me because i lost so much weight because of my teeth and sinus pain i had everyday for four months. So far it is working but i just started it and will keep you posted. It does seem milder than plain prednisone I suggest you switch to this if the prednisone is not working for you. It sounds like most people are on too high of a dosage and take with food and a lot of water. Hope everyone feels better soon.
-- By jaynee02 | Reply | (2) replies | Private Message me
August 29th
2009
5:35 PM
I have UC, and was diagnosed in April after a Colonscopy. I was put on Prednisone and was never able to get past 20mg without getting very sick again.I changed everything I DID, my diet, everything. they finally put me on Imuran. But the prednisone is making me loose my hair, they started before imuran. Also give me horrible pain, in the bone and muscle. I take all my vitamins, and it helps a little but it still hurts. they run regular blood test. Some days I feel like I can;t walk. Make sure to cut your salt out. It also made my face horribly round and fat. and i got a fat hum p on my back. The acne sucks, and it messed with my period too!
-- By connie09 | Reply | Private Message me
August 28th
2009
8:36 AM
hair loss after prednisone?
i took 60 mg of prednisone for 1 month for a kidney inflammation. i tapered down for months and finally have been off it completely for a few weeks. i did lots of natural things and really had no side effects- my face did get puffy when i was tapering, at about 30 mg but that's gone now. and my lip hair came in fuller but it's pale blonde so it wasn't too much of a bother
however, suddenly my hair is falling out like crazy. i took advair for many years (only 1/2 dose) and didn't connect it with my hair thinning until i started reading this site. i weaned myself off advair and noticed soon after that my hair loss in the shower was minimal
then i went on the prednisone and i was still fine. has anyone noticed hair loss after stopping prednisone? will this stop after a while?
-- By propsguy | Reply | (4) replies | Private Message me
August 26th
2009
5:20 AM
How could I forget the day and night sweats and terrible loose bowel movements and related vicious wind !!!!!!!!!!!!! The only parts of my body that have not increased in size are my ears and nose, I feel like someone has just pumped me up. In fact I feel really awful almost to screaming point.
I am really sorry if anyone else is suffering the same effects of this EVIL drug,
I am trying to just stay away from my husband so that he doesn't leave me.
From D. in Santa Barbara 26th August 2009
-- By debbiefromsantabarbara | Reply | Private Message me
August 26th
2009
5:06 AM
26th August 2009 I am at the point of wanting to tear my husband into little pieces, nothing he does is right. My emotions are horrible ranging from angry to utterly furious. My anxiety level ranges between moderate to pounding heart almost panic attack level I presume. I am restless, cant sleep, swollen face, neck, puffed up shoulders, very weird stuff. My eyes are so so puffy I want to cry. My husband was so worried about my personality change he called the doctor who laughed and said that some people get some side effects with Prednisone. OMG why didn't the hospital staff and doctors say something about this when they were pumping the stuff into me? I actually was thinking my life was not worth living anymore.........everyone around me was angry at my bad behavior, which I could not control and still cant. What the hell is this all about, cant they use another drug? D. from Santa Barbara
-- By debbiefromsantabarbara | Reply | Private Message me
August 22th
2009
4:02 PM
I was on Prednisone 10 mg. per day for sinus inflammation which helped with that but gave me some bad side effects such as: loss of appetite, fast heartbeat and the worst being nervousness, anxiety, and nausea. I got rid of my pain but the side effects, ugghh!! I am not going to take it anymore. There are other things to take for inflammation.
-- By jaynee02 | Reply | Private Message me
August 20th
2009
4:47 PM
My 62 year old husband has had Parkinson's for about 10 years now. The other day he was prescribed Prednisone (20 mg tablets, twice a day) for 5 days. After the first day his pinched nerve problem was greatly improved, and as a side effect, his Parkinson's symptoms disappeared completely and he was like normal again! This is a miracle to us and we are looking for medical research to help prescribe Prednisone for Parkinson's', or some agent similar. Did the Prednisone make the other Parkinson's drugs more effective; or did the Prednisone fix the Parkinson's on its own. We don't know. For 5 days, it was bliss; I hope we can get someone to weigh the side effects against the miracle of being normal without any Parkinson's symptoms!
-- By yuyak | Reply | (1) replies | Private Message me
November 18th
2009
9:16 PM
my 4 year old son was recently diagnosed with pneumonia, and because he has asthma, prednisone was part of his treatment plan. after just one dose of this drug, my son turned from well behaved, loving boy, to evil demon child. he was speaking with a very scary voice and telling his mother and i he wanted to kill us as he hit, kicked, spit, and threw things at us. he tried several times to hurt his little sister and said he wanted to see us all bleed. we were distraught. the stupid doctors said that he was experiencing a very rare side effect and was hallucinating. why didn't they tell us of this side effect beforehand? anyway, he did not stop acting in this way for almost 36 hours, from just one teaspoonful. needless to say, we will never administer this devil drug to our children again.
-- By dlz2355 | Reply | Private Message me