PredniSONE and headaches

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I have BOOP and was put on Prednisone. I was told this is the only treatment to control BOOP. Soon as I got on it I would pour sweat from my head so bad I was dripping all down my face. I had the shakes so bad in my hands I could not even hold a cup to drink. Before the Prednisone I had a night cough but not too bad. After being on the Prednisone I felt like I was drowning and coughed all night and couldn't sleep.I found out that if I took a antihistamine every 4 hours at night I could get some relief from the non stop coughing. My heart would race when I would lay back down after I would get up to got to the bathroom. I also felt more short of breath then before the prednisone. I had leg cramps so bad I would scream in pain. I never get headaches but did on the Prednisone. also blurred vision. I called my Dr. and still haven't been squeezed in for an appointment. I have weaned myself off the Prednisone and I will die before I take it again. I really felt it was killing me. I have NEVER been so miserable.I can only hope that when I can FINALLY see my Dr. that they will come up with ANY other treatment. Prednisone made me feel much worse the what it was suppose to treat. Anyone on it that wants off beware that you HAVE to taper off and it takes time or you will damage your adrenal gland beyond repair and you could die!! Please be careful!!

I have been on prednisone for 8 weeks, the first two at 40 mg., then 30. I have sarcoidosis and had a cough for several years, then shortness of breath, a fever for three weeks, very low energy, headaches every day, vision problems, mental fuzziness, fatigue, leg cramps, weight loss, a host of symptoms that were impacting my life. With the prednisone, I have had some jitteriness and occasional insomnia, though not bad. I have had increased energy, clearer mind, no cough, the sarcoid symptoms have almost disappeared. I do have increased appetite and have gained maybe 5 pounds. I occasionally have a day when I have low energy and am depressed, but most often, my energy is a lot better since taking the prednisone. So, for me, prednisone is most definitely NOT a devil drug. In fact, I believe that thinking of it this way is very harmful both to the person thinking that way and to others who come to this site looking for help. It is helpful to know that there are other people having similar problems to yours. But focusing on all the negatives without acknowleging the vast array of positives can only hurt. When I take the pills, I remind myself to be grateful that there is something that can help me fight the sarcoid. When I start being fearful of the side effects (from reading these internet sites), I remind myself of all the many people who have taken prednisone and gotten better and lived a long, good life as a result. My sister-in-law took it years ago for Crohns and loved it. My friend's daughter took it and had a few side effects, primarily the moon face, but it helped her and she now is as thin as ever and doing well. Focus on the positives, people! Where your mind goes, your body will follow. Be aware of the possible effects and work to offset them. Exercise, eat less, find reasons to laugh and be with people. It sucks to have any disease that would cause you to have to be on prednisone, but we are lucky to have medicine and people to help us. Be thankful for what is good in your lives.

I'm 16 years old, and in November of 2008 i was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome, or FSGS. i started taking the preds starting at 60mg, and last month i started weaning off. i'm at 20 mg right now. i noticed that i started getting the common moon face right after i started taking the meds. and i hate it so much. also, i've had so much trouble falling asleep at night, but then when i do, i sleep for so long. i've also had the dreadful hair growth, REALLY bad mood swings, headaches, and for sure, increase in appetite. i've gained 30lbs since ive been on the preds and even when i exercise daily, i still cant loose a single pound. normally im a really fit girl, i ran track and i was a dancer. im just really worried that all this "fat" wont go away. i really hope it does. it just feels like prednisone really ruined my sophomore year of high school. and i just don't feel like doing anything anymore. i just wanna wear swearpants, curl up in a ball and lay in my bed and wait until this nightmare is over. But im just glad to know that there are a lot of other people out there that know how i feel.

I started in November 40 mg a day for sarciod this has not been a pleasant experience. I was doing great with the weaing process until this past week. I started headaches throughout the day. The fatigue came back from before not being will rested or could sleep all night and get tired in the middle of the day. I think that is the worst is the diarrhea that comes with this. Nobody tells you about these things are going to happen to in the process. I am glad that i looked at this site because I was headed for the doctor tomorrow because I thought I had a virus or something. I am experiencing pains in my chest now so I really don't know iF i should continue to get off them or not.

So basically this is my story.. I am 19 and have had severe asthma every\ since I can remember. I took prednisone up until I was 14, and from what I can remember I just stopped taking it around then. Then when I was about 18 I started up again because my asthma got worse. Between the time period of 14-18 I still had asthma, but started working out and became very active and healthy.I lost alot of weight had VERY THICK long hair. Then at 18 I got very sick and my doctor put me on prednisone knowing my asthma history. After being on it for a month my hair has become thin, I have gained weight, my face has rounded, my skin used to get tan very easily but now just flushes. I have headaches all the time, can't sleep at all during the night, then crash during the day. I am constantly depressed. I always have to pee. I can't be at the gym for more than 30 mins and then I just die im so tired. I can go on and on. I have tried so many time to get off but like I have read from the above comments,I become very sick and lazy I literally can't move. But what I need answers for, and what I was wondering, has anyone started to get hives/rash after coming off or being on prednisone. Every time I try to wean off of it I get them all over my legs!! NOTHING and I mean NOTHING makes them go away except when I start up prednisone again. My doctor thinks its okay and no other doctor can figure out why im getting these hives but its so obvious its from that because when I go back on it goes away. This is not a good medication to be on. I haven't seen hair loss as one of the major side effects but has that happened to anyone else. im praying to god i can wean of this drug if anyone knows anything pleaaaase let me knowwwwwww

I have been on prednisone continuously now for 15 years. I was put on it in March of 1995 for a lung condition called chronic eosinophilic pneumonia. I was 122 pounds when I first started prednisone. Now 15 years later I am 197 pounds. I am 35 years old with osteoporosis. I have dealt with depression, terrible headaches, stomach ulcers, hormonal imbalance, hair loss, swollen feet and ankles, I now wear glasses when I didn't before, I have thin skin now that looks older than my 35 years, I deal with night sweats, and in the summer out in the heat my very round moon face turns red as a beet. But, no one can get me off the prednisone. I have seen many specialists, and within 1-2 days of starting to wean past 10mg I get so sick I have to be hospitalized, I literally can't breathe or live without it. I hate this stuff and what its done to me, but I have no choice but to take it or I will die. Doctors have tried alternate medications, nothing but prednisone works. If there is ANYONE who has had to be on it as long as I have or have had success in getting off it after being on it for so long, I would love to hear from you.

I was put on prednisone for asthma. I tapered down from 80 mg to 10 mg over 2 weeks. After coming off of the prednisone, I experienced nausea, extreme dizziness, felt disoriented, and had muscle weakness so bad that I could barely stand up. After several trips to the emergency room, my doctor, and an endocrinologist, they figured that I needed to be tapered off of the prednisone more slowly. The endocrinologist started me back on 10 mg of prednisone and tapered me down to 2.5 mg. Since I have stopped taking the prednisone, I have experienced dizziness,headaches, tremors, a rapid pulse rate, blurry vision and a sensitivity to light. I have been off the prednisone for two weeks now and every day is different. I have some good days and some bad days. Although I have my strength back and the nausea has subsided, the dizziness is debilitating and it seems that my balance and fine motor coordination is off. I feel very mentally foggy. The doctors do not seem to have any answers for me as to why all of this is happening. It has been a very scary and frustrating experience. I am concerned that the prednisone has done some serious damage to my nervous system. Has anyone ever had these side effects? Do they eventually subside and how long will it take? It has been the longest month of my life dealing with all of the effects of this medicine. Any advice would be appreciated.

I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2003, have been treated with Asacol ever since, and was in remission for nearly 5 years. I flared in December of 2007, and had my first experience with prednisone; I was on 40 mg/day for nearly 6 months. I gained 35 pounds, got the moon face, double-chin, tummy fat, muscle aches, extreme mood swings, excruciating headaches, night sweats, and UNCONTROLLABLE hunger. I, too, noticed the sensitive teeth, and now I feel like my enamel is really thin...almost see-through. Anyway, I've been off prednisone for about 5 months. The moon face went away for the most part, but my cheeks still seem a little chubbier than before, and my double-chin is a lot smaller, but still there. I've lost about half the weight, but only after joining weight watchers and working out 6 days a week. I feel like I can't lose any more weight to save my life. Does anyone have any suggestions? I never struggled with weight prior to taking this stupid drug. I'd appreciate any input.

Extreme Weakness, extreme excessive sweating, nausea, dizziness, itching, terrible headaches.In addition, I seemed to have contacted a moderate case of the flu. At least I had what seemed like the flu. However it is possible that it was just more of the same from the prednisone. My doctor gave me prednisone for a pinched nerve in my neck and a herniated disk in the same #7vertebrea. He gave me 12 days. As soon as I started taking it, I began to feel very weak, I had headaches, terrible exploding headaches. I found that I began to itch on my arm for no apparent reason, except for a bracelet in the area.In addition, I began to have excessive sweating, extreme sweating, the water would be pouring down my face. At that time, I would feel my heart pounding have some dizziness, and just overall bad feeling. It was debilitating, I spent a lot of time on the couch because I could not function in my daily activities. I went from exercising for 90 minutes to barely being able to get through 15 minutes. My question is will I go back to "normal" when this medicine gets out of my system. What is the half life of this drug? Should I do a detox of some sort. Worst of all, the problem with my neck has not really resolved and I will probably need some other sort of intervention. I never got that burst of energy that other people experienced with this medication.

Ok here's my story with Prednisone. Let me first give you a little back ground info on me. Born with a VSD, that was repaired at 8 months of age, only after developing severe pneumonia. Was fine as a child growing up until at 18 i developed asthma. i am 29 now and have been on and off prednisone during that time. During that time however I have always been on a metered dosage pack that has always tapered usually within 5 days with no side effects.

Now lets talk present day with me. First off I went in back in early Sept. for what I thought was just a sinus infection, turns out my lungs were so tight, i was immediately put on 80 mg for 5 days straight, and you guessed it no tapering. Those 5 days were the worst five days of my life. I have SVT- taychcardia and the med made it worst, I was running around like I was on Speed or something. Also, I had started to urinate like crazy. Headaches, nausea, muscle pain as well as joint pain. i can not walk without feeling as though my knees, and ankles are going to break. Also, i am not as foccused as I usually am. Ever since that faithfully day in September I have been on this stuff. it has already been 2 months and im on 40mg now. And I cannot sleep at all at night and during the day now i crash once it seems like the prednisone starts wearing off. its horrible. I am going to go see the Pulmanologist Monday hopefully he will have some answers, and Im dreading him telling me i may have COPD, from a protien defiency(sorry for spelling, this med is messing with my thought process). Any who, i cant just stop taking it, i have been warned about that. something has to give or my body may give up.

hope this helps.

this med is good if used correctly but i agree Doctors need to fully warn patients before hand of all possible side effects.

hya everyone,my partner has been on prednisone for over 6months while having chemotherapy 4 bone cancer.He is being weaned off the drug slowly and is now on half dose and is experiencing very bad joint pain,headaches,sweating along with depression and lower back pain.Hopefully after coming off the drug completely these symptoms will eventually go away.We sympathize with all who has to go through similar situations.

I have Crohns and had a flare up so I'm back on 40mg of Prednisone. I've been on 40mg now for 3 weeks and I start to tapper off in another 3 weeks. Well every time I start the prednisone again I get new side effects. This time, my gum are bleeding all the time and the pain in my knees are horrible! I still get the regular side effects, ie: Mood swings, joint pain, sleeplessness, sweating, swelling of my legs and hands, wanting to eat everything under the sun, moon face and my hair falls out! I wish the drug manufactures could develop a drug that would not be so hard on our bodies. I have to struggle with the pros and cons with every flare up. Do I want the weight gain, mood swings and hair loss or do I want to look good and be very sick! I'm 37 and was 16 when I found out I had Crohns.

I was prescribed a 6 day pack of 4mg Methylprednisolone (Medrol) at the ER for an allergic reaction I was having to a gel that I used on my sking. The Medrol worked great at stopping the allergic reaction. My swelling, pain, and rash began to rapidly clear up. Unfortunately I began to have many side effects. On day 5 I was unable to get out of bed I was so tired and dizzy. I had a headache and mental confusion and unclear thinking. I called my primary care provider on a Sunday to ask if it is okay to stop taking the steroid. She said it was and that it was unlikely the medrol was causing my symptoms. She told me I had a virus. I told her the symptoms I was having were listed as side effects on the drug info sheet but she did not believe me. IA few days later I made an appointment to see a doctor, not the same one who took my phone call. This doctor said all of my symptoms were from the Medrol. She knew because of personal experience she saw in her mother who was also taking steroids. She told me medrol can cause a manic response or a depressive, the latter is what I was having. As part of my exam she wanted me to have blood work but said I should wait at least 2 weeks to allow the drug to get out of my system. It is now 19 days since my appointment and I am still having side effects: nausea, complete lack of appetite, dizzy, and tired all the time. I put a call in to my doctor today and am waiting to hear back. I am sorry that I took this medication, will never take again. How long will it take for this med to get completely out of my system so that I feel normal again?
A friend told me her mother had a manic episode on steroids. When I was younger I took steroids for a brief period and had much milder side effects.

I have been on prednisone since November 2007 for minimal change disease, 65 mg, in May I started to decrease the dosage (per Drs. orders) and by the time I got to 15 mg all my symptoms came back and I swelled up again. I was again put on a higher dosage of prednisone and put on Cytoxan 75 mg. I am now decreasing prednisone, back to 15 mg every other day and will be off Cytoxan next month. Hopefully this will work. Right now my main complaint of side effects is chest pressure, anything I eat or drink makes my stomach swell and I feel like I can never take a full breath. I recently had chest and abdoman xrays and an ultrasound, all negative. Does anyone have this symptom? I also have moon face, weight gain, hump on back, insomnia, headaches, digestive problems ,shakes, night sweats, vision problems, extreme tiredness and hair loss. How long before all this goes away?

I had a bee sting and was put on prednisone for 40mg a day for five days.After my first day on it i had major muscle soreness,very sleepy,heart rate threw the roof and bad headaches.decided i wasn't take another dose but now 7 days out i have water retention and put on 3 pounds i have been my same weight for yrs and now all of sudden i put this weight on and my hands are swelling up still.i am wondering when the hell this will be out of my system with only taking one dose..i will never take this crap again...any one that knows how long this will last please let me know....

Hi. I was diagnosed yesterday with Bells Palsy, (the entire right side of my face is completely paralyzed) and given prednisone, a tapering dosage. I started my first dose of only 20 mgs last night and went to 60 mgs today, will keep on that dose tomorrow as well as one more day, taper down to 40 mg for two days, then 20 mgs for two days. My heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest! I can feel it it's beating so hard and I can also hear it when lying down .Very freaky. My blood pressure today was 164/107. My normal bp is 110/70. I take medication for high blood pressure but it's not doing much good. I am also a diabetic and my sugar is whack! Had to increase my Metformin. I'm assuming since no one has died from taking this HORRIFIC medicine, we'll all live through it but at times, I feel like I am going to have a frigging massive panic attack! I have to calm myself down, listen to music, meditate. That does help some but not enough .I will be sooooooooo glad when I'm done taking this SH*T! Another thing I've noticed is I am bone weary weak, like I've run the Boston Marathon, competed in the 1000 meter butterfly medley and then played 3 sets of tennis on top of that! GOOD GRIEF, HE INVENTED THIS CRAPOLA?

Male, 43 yrs old, diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 18 years ago. Have taken Prednisone in 1996, 2001 and 2008 to control the symptoms from UC. Each time started with around 40mg per day, tapering down to 2.5mg per day, usually over a 6 to 12 week time period. Bottom line, it can be a life-saving drug for whatever it is prescribed for, but it has some SERIOUS side effects. For me, severe anxiety, nausea, headaches, and weight loss. You can be prescribed an anti-anxiety medicine like Xanax (as I am), but Xanax also has its own nasty side effects. (Namely addiction if you aren't careful.) You definitely don't want to go off Prednisone without "tapering down" on the dosage as your body will NOT be able to handle it. Currently, having just stopped my most recent dosage of it a week ago, I am still suffering from anxiety and sleeplessness (stopped taking Xanax too.) Lord willing, my body will be back to "normal" within the next few weeks, which is generally how long it takes for me,

I went on Prednisone for only 3 days as treatment to a bad allergic reaction to antibiotics. I ended up in the ER for treatment of the allergic reaction and they gave me a pred IV. They put me on 80 mg tablets, which I was supposed to take for 5 days, but there was no tapering off called for by the doc. I only took it for 3 days and started bad abdominal cramps and a bad taste in my mouth. Everything tasted extremely salty--and still does almost a week later. After I was off the drug for a day or two I started bad cramping in my chest, trouble breathing even though they said my lungs were clear, and really bad anxiety, which I've never had before. I freaked out while I was driving and had to pull into a parking lot for over an hour, and still had bad anxiety trying to drive home. I felt like I was drowning and had labored breathing. It's been almost a week and I still have muscle cramping in my chest, but it's starting to subside if I stay calm. I now have headaches and am weak generally, but am starting to come out of it, I think. I don't think the docs wanted to admit that lot of this was due to the pred; it is a serious drug that should not be taken lightly. I never knew there could be such extreme side effects to a drug. I am sorry to hear that many of you have had similar experiences, but it does give me some comfort to know that these effects were real and not due to some psychosomatic problem.

I was on Prednisone for just over two weeks for a bad skin rash (allergic reaction). I went to the ER they gave me an injection on Prednisone. The next day my Doctor puts me on 40mg a day for 10 days then down to 20mg, and then 10mg. The side effects were (and are) crazy. Blood sugar and Blood pressure are through the roof. My heart pounds,races, skips beats. Hands shaking, nervous, and panic attacks. Yeah, sure, the rash is gone, but I feel like a train wreck. I took my last dose 2 days ago, and have been told it can take 2 to 4 weeks for this to get completely out of my system and end the side effects. Can anybody else verify this?? Good god, what a mess!!

I was put on Prednisonsone for Uveitis, inflammation of the eye. He started me on 20mg at 9 pills a day, then each week it was lowered to 6 pills then now i'm on 3 pills and then next week it will be 1 1/2 pill and i'll be off. I got the puffy face, my feet swelled, everytime i hate my stomach bloated and hurt, my face and neck turns red, i stayed hungry although i fought the temptation of eating for not wanting to gain a lot of weight, which I don't think I've gained any. But now I wake up in the middle of the night and severe knee pain, it feels like my knees they are in some kind of device that is crushing my bones they hurt so bad. i caught a bad cough and it's been around now for about 2 weeks and won't go away, i told the nurse about it and she says, i probably just got what everyone else has gotten, just a bad cough, well what's if it's some kind of infection? I look like a chipmunk, my face is so puffy. When i get off these prednisone in another week I WON'T BE going back on them, no matter what the case. I'm in more pain being on them and have more side effects while on them than the problem i was having with uveitis. I think some co workers thank I'm over reacting, but they're not here they don't see all the pain and frustration i'm going through while on this drug. The leg pain just started this weekend and i Know i can't deal with waking up everynight like this in severe pain. Everyone just makes me feel like i'm over reactin and it's nice to know that somebody out there is going through the same thing. Any comments will be great.

I was on a Prednisone taper for 7 days (bronchitis). I have been off for 16 days now. I am still suffering from BAD headaches, head pressure and dizziness (also racing heart) - off and on??? Does anyone know how long it takes to get this stuff out of your system? My first day after finishing it my headache and dizziness got so severe that I threw up 7 times over the next 24 hours?

Is it something that I am eating or drinking that is 'reactiviting' the side effects of the Prednisone? I hate this.

Thank you.

Vanessa

I was placed on 80 mg daily times 3 days, then 60 mg daily times 3 days, then 40 mg daily times 3 days, then 20 mg daily times 9 days for chronic sinus disease by an E.N.T. (ear-nose-throat specialist), felt good while on it.........now my heart is stuck in the racing gear and I am under my internal medicine doc for this.............that is a very, very bad feeling and hope its not long term.............................

I was put on 40mg per day of Prednisone for a sinus infection. I felt good for 4 days, then very weak and tired with headache and nausea. The doctor did not prescribe tapering off, just stop after 10 days. I quit after 9 days. Horrible withdrawal, very weak, bad headache, terrible nausea. My blood pressure dropped from 120/80 to 96/40. I had been on 25mg Lisinipril and Hydrochlorothyazide - doctor stopped that. Blood pressure now 104/60. Still very tired. Headaches almost gone, nausea gone. Complete blood panel tests all normal. Dr says symptoms will go away. It has been 3 weeks since I stopped the drug. Some fluid retention, but that is going away. Has anyone experienced LOW blood pressure with Prednisone?

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

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

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

I don't have a new side affect with Prednisone but just want to share my feelings. I was diagnosed with Temporal Arthritis since last July 2007. I started taking 60 mg of Prednisone for 1 month. Didn't notice the side affects then. Weaned myself off through my doctor's instructions. But relapse occurred when I was only on 2 daily. With Temporal Arthritis, you get delibating and horrendous head pain which is caused due to inflammation of the main artery in the temple. I am back to 3 daily.
Besides my moon face, I am bigger. I really don't have a lot of the other side affects you all talk about. I am sorry you all have to go through that.
My depression is better. My sleep is horrible. Now I am going to a sleep study to see if I have Sleep Apnea.
I consider Prednisone a wonder drug. Although the side affects are horrible, I have to admit, I feel much better, most of the time. I do have inflammation in the neck. Not sure if that is pred or temporal arthritis, but am seeing a rheumatologist for that.

Teena

I was given 20 mg of Prednisone for 10 days for a rash and joint pain.
The pain went away and I felt great the rash got a little better. Two days ago I took my last pill. I woke up that night and my knees gave out. By morning I was great! Next night I woke with knee problem again had to slide down the stairs to the living room. I got to wondering if the knee thing could be associated with the Prednisone. I got on line and read all this terrible stuff. I am so Horrified! Today I am in pain like my body is bruised and my face is swollen a little. I have acid reflux as well. Non of this is typical for me. My knee thing is ok again, but I am just appalled! I have no MED insurance. I hope this isn't the beginning of worse things I am not taking that drug now. The Dr. didn't say I needed to taper...

I hope I have not damaged myself by taking this drug! My heart goes out to all of you! My question is - Why are the Dr.'s prescribing this terrible drug?

I have read some of the board and would like to know if anyone else has had prolonged side effects after being off Prednisone for almost a year. I think Prednisone caused all my current health problems. Was on the higher dose 5 day plan for a severe inner ear infection. I stopped taking it after the third day cold turkey, which I know was wrong because of blurred vision and stomach distention so bad I thought I was going to burst (almost the same as when I was pregnant). The first 4-6 weeks of stopping it were pure _ ell. So many withdrawal symptoms. I went to my doctor and he said I couldn't possibly be having all those symptoms from the Prednisone since I was only on it three days (but it is the regimen where you take the higher doses/multiple pills in the beginning and then it lowers the dose each day). Every few days it seemed I was having something new happen - heartburn, sweating, headaches. Then my thyroid function began acting up (hypothyroidism) and glands seem to swell with my monthly cycle. I started having a daily dry throat. All my symptoms seem to be on my right side: blurred vision, dry throat, swollen lymph glands, ear pain, groin swelling. It is one month shy of a year when I originally took the Prednisone and nothing has decreased, only new symptoms appear. My doctor keeps treating each symptom individually and won't look at the whole picture. I tried acupuncture and it didn't help. Any suggestions/comments?

My daughter is a chronic asthmatic and has been on Prednisone for over one year. Since then she has experienced headaches, nausea, sleeplessness, depression, extreme anxiety, mood swings, blurred vision, aching... just about all of the side effects listed. Of particular concern to me are the mood swings, which at this time we are considering having her evaluated. I didn't realize that this drug could do soo much in terms of her behavior. Please help me to understand what is going on with her. She is 12 years old.

I found out that I had a brain meningioma almost two months ago. I am currently being treated with CyberKnife technology and thank God this nightmare will soon be history. In the meantime, I had to take Prednisone, through IV in the hospital and then in pill form after. I am weaning off now, but the side effects are terrible. My normal weight is 106 lbs and I don't even want to know what I weigh now and it was only two months of taking that pill. While on it, I could not sleep, and I ate every carb possible. I am so bloated in my abdomen, and my face looks like a balloon. Now that I am coming off, I feel like a Zombie, I fall asleep everywhere and I feel like I am in a constant fog, not to mention the headaches. Does anyone know how long the side effects last after you stop taking the Prednisone?

I took Prednisone for an allergic reaction to a Bee bite that turned into cellulites after a few days. My arm and leg swelled up to the point where I had to go into the emergency room. They put me on a prednisone drip and then prescribed prednisone for 10 days tapering down from 60 mg a day to 10 mg a day.
I felt horrible on it! Could not think straight, massive headaches everyday to the point where I could not go to work! Then once I went down from 30mg to 20mg a day, the with drawl that your body gets is the worst!
Nassau, more headaches and forget about thinking straight! and yes your face does look like a moon after a few days... Try drinking a lot of water
Now I am on my 2nd day with out it and I still feel the side affects but I hope they will go away soon :(
This drug works but I hope I never take it again.

After reading so many of everyone’s stories, I feel I got off easy, but not without some agony. I developed a double whammy of acute bronchitis and pleurisy in my left lung. If you are not familiar with pleurisy, it feels like hit with a baseball bat in your ribs each time you attempt to take a normal breath. I was completely uninformed of the condition and it is now burned in my memory forever. I was prescribed azithromycin and Prednisone for a month. I started with two 20mg (40mgtotal) tabs for 7 days and then tapered off in the following manner. 1 ½ tabs for 7 days, 1 tab for 7days and then ½ a tab for the last 7 days. I have read many of the users who have been on Prednisone for years at a time and my heart goes out to each and every one of you. I experienced a large number of side effects for being on it for such a short period. My wife was ready to attach the ole cinder block to my ankles and drop me in the lake, but she stuck through it. The first side effects began within the first week. My appetite went through the stratosphere, my heart felt like it was going to erupt out of my chest on some nights and finally, my memory just went to (for lack of a better work) shit. After coming home from the grocery store on multiple occasions, I left the house key in the key hole on the outside, only to find it the next morning on my way out the door. My short term memory was just misfiring constantly. There are too many funny stories to tell. For some odd reason, I did not gain near as much weight as I should have given the mass quantity of food I ingested. The total weight gain was only around seven or eight pounds. The most prominent side effect was my mood swings. I am a laid back person my nature, but not for that 30 day period. I had to make a conscious effort to not put myself in a position to disagree with another individual. When it did occur, it was just not a pretty site. A few of the other side effects were lack of sleep and profuse sweating. I would wake up every morning and my pillow was drenched. I live in Austin, Texas, so the AC was pegged and 67 degrees and no one was allowed to touch the thermostat without grave consequences. I broke out the winter pajamas for the kids and my wife wrapped up in multiple layers of clothing, while I was spread eagle under the ceiling fan (Highest setting of course) in my birthday suit, and was still only the in the moderate comfort range. More side effects included swelling of my ankles and hands. I was not on it long enough to get the infamous moon face or the hump on the back of the neck. The side effects after stopping the dosage were no less entertaining. I took my last dose seven days ago. The three main effects have been rashes on my ankles and under my arms, severe energy loss and heartburn. The worst of it all has been my energy level, or the lack of. My energy level crashed so hard I have had to literally peel myself out of bed each morning. If I did not have a two year old daughter and a four year old son, I would probably still be asleep right now. It has been getting a little easier each day. I have started walking each morning now and hopefully this will end soon. I have also been drinking large amounts of water. That has seemed to help me out. The heartburn was easily treatable with some Pepcid AC. I hope my experience offers some solace to those in a similar situation and fair warning to those who are about to embark on this medication.

I am currently on Prednisone for Minimal Change Kidney Disease. I started at 60mg a day and my symptoms from the Kidney issues (swelling in my ankles and legs) went away within about two weeks. I had a lot of energy at first on Prednisone and trouble sleeping. I actually enjoyed the added energy. I also got headaches those first couple weeks and jaw pain. I wasn't really upset about the drugs until my face started getting puffy at about 4 weeks. I was reduced to 40mg at that time. I definitely noticed an increase in appetite and have just recently started counting calories to avoid potential weight gain. My weight so far has only fluxated about 5lbs. I am currently on 30mgs of Prednisone and can not wait to be off. I do have some slight acne on my upper back and notice a little extra weight there (maybe that camel hump thing someone mentioned). I am nervous these things will only get worse so I'm hoping my doctor will reduce the meds more rapidly after my next appointment. Overall it seems the Prednisone has done its job, but I'd still like to be off. I have been on a total of about 2 months now.

While coming off I have noticed heartburn (severe at times), mild depression, loss of energy, and I've been very bloated throughout the process.

I would only take Prednisone if absolutely necessary and get off it as fast as possible. Good luck to you all.

I am a 22 year old female, 5'4'' and 120 lbs. I was recently diagnosed with asthma and was put on Prednisone for 4 days - 60mgs, then 40 mgs. I experienced blurred vision, mood swings (nervousness, depression), headaches, fatigue, and nausea. The day after I stopped I got a very sore neck and shoulders, and was so tired I didn't want to get out of bed. I now feel pretty much back to normal, but the whole experience was very scary while I was going through it because no one really warned me about these effects. I would burst out crying suddenly, and the vision thing was scary because you feel like it will never get better. I felt so unlike myself that I stayed in bed pretty much all four days I was on it and the day after I stopped. I hope I never have to take it again, and I am sorry for those who must take this drug long term. On the positive side, it does seem to have helped my asthma symptoms, although some of them returned after I stopped the medication.

In January I was diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica and temporal arteritis (giant cell arteritis). I was put on 60 mg prednisone and an array of other meds to help with pain, inflammation, water retention, and stomach problems from everything. I've lost some vision from the TA. I've experienced the weight gain, the moon face, stomach problems, depression, fatigue, muscle weakness, lack of memory and concentration, and generally feel miserable. The brain fog is awful! I don't trust myself doing much of anything these days!

When I was first put on the prednisone it completely took away all my TA and PMR symptoms. I could walk and get up and down again, didn't have the headaches, and didn't hurt all over.
My doctor tried to taper my dosage about 6 weeks ago and all my symptoms returned and increased as I went down on the prednisone. He upped me back to 60. That time the symptoms didn't go away. They lessened but were still there.

He's trying to taper again, and I'm down to 30 mg now and feel worse and worse. My sed rate has been normal, so the doctor thinks it's from the prednisone. Does it mimic all the TA and PMR symptoms? I also am having a lot of hand and feet cramping.

Does anyone else have these two illnesses? I would be interested in your experience. I want off these meds! Anyone found an alternative approach that's helped?

God bless!

Just amazing how things react differently on different people.
I have been on Prednisone for almost 5 weeks now and have LOST weight. I eat because I am supposed to not because I want to, I am NOT hungry !!! I sleep like a baby too... go figure? However, I am weaning off it and am down to 5mg a day and I am experiencing headaches and leg pain which I did not have while on a higher dose (15mg). I love the stuff although I think I am in a minority of one in the world. I feel great when I am on it even though have used it in the past and developed cataracts from it at the age of 48 (now 49) and have already had one cataract removed.

I began a new dose of Prednisone yesterday. I was diagnosed w/ RA about 3 years ago. I have been on Embrel (didn't work) and am now on Humira and Methotrexate. I have been having extreme difficulty the last month and finally returned to my doctor for relief. (I have been on Prednisone before and had only the headaches) I was prescribed a higher dose this time (60 mgs 2 x daily) and have been battling with a racing heart that beats so hard it hurts. I have now taken my second dose and cannot walk more than 10 feet without feeling like I am having a heart attack! While it is helping the RA pain in my joints, I am so scared to move and so uncomfortable when I do, I am not sure what is better. The disease or the cure? Has anyone else battled with the racing heart? Oh and I also have high blood pressure and the Prednisone is making it higher even with my meds!
My only other instance with this effect was from a steroid injection about a month ago. That episode placed me in the ER receiving medication to lower my heart rate.

I was on Prednisone for a month. The sleeplessness , yet being so sleepy was awful but not nearly as awful as the weight gain and depression. I am curious how long this stuff stays in your system? I am a week and a half off and I feel a little better but I am wondering about when the headaches and weight gain will disappear? Thanks

I have taken predisone for 15 years ranging from 120mg to 10mg. I also take 2000mg of cellcept, 400mg og plaquinel, 1000mg metforin, 10mg zeita, 130mg antera,60mg cymbalta, land lyrica., Foreto Injections (for osteoprosis, due to predisone). In the beginning I gained alot of weight and became depressed and very angry. I have Systemic Lupus Erythomous (SLE), I also do self catherization. I have found over the years to stay away from suger, salt and fat. It is very hard because as you know predisone can make you want to eat all of the time. I get headaches and alot of infections, but the alternative is death. Predisone is a very good drug and a very bad drug, but it really does work if it depends on your life.

just started 40 mg /day for neck spasms and headaches- and on my first day am getting hot flashes.. and of course, oh, so tired. Is this common side effect? This is a great site/

Regarding the other post, headaches are a listed side effect. I took prednisone for two days - 40mg each. I am on day 3 without taking it due to side effects. At first anxiety symptoms and shaking hands and shortness of breath, then excessive sweating, abdominal pain, excessive urination, and hip and shoulder pain. Never mind the mood and personality changes, which occurred within hours of taking the 1st dose. Now, I still have really bad shoulder pain and sweating. Anyone who has gone through this, how long does it take, and what can help my body get over this faster??? Doctors should better inform patients of side effects - and my doctor is having me tested for parvovirus today--even though the symptoms I have are not consistent with it, and are all listed side effects of predisone----by the way, I had to find the side effects myself. I was sick (broncitis) and did not have the energy when I started the medication. Now I am angry that I was so poorly informed.

My 73 year old Mother has been on prednizone since Sept 2006, the reason is she's being treated for temporal artritis. It has stopped the headaches but has set her disbetes out of control. She now has to monitor her blood sugar every 2 hours. If I had known the side effects of prednisone first, I would have asked about other options.

Whoa, folks, Prednisone for 10 days? I thought the maximum was 7 days, else dire consequences beset you. I have Lupus and take only 20mg a day. The side effects, when I get off are severe joint pain, muscle tenderness and headaches but then Lupus does eat your joints and skin... Anyone out there knows anything about interval between treatments?

I've been taking prednisone for about a year, started with solu-medrol infusions of 1000mg for 3 days with a prednisone taper of 180mg a day for 7 and down from there, I have had 4 of these this year and now am taking 20mg a day, I've had many symptoms of taking so much pred, but it helps keep my vision normal and keeps the headaches away, weight gain, sleepless nights, now acne and just feeling bloated all the time are my main complaints, I am going to see another specialist to get me off prednisone, and will try another immunosupressant drug that dosent have near the side effects of pred, but all I can say is it works, but who knows what will happen to me down the road, I'm a 37 yr old male who feels like I've aged twice that.

I was given Prednisone, full dosage, for 9 days for an ear problem. 3 days after stopping the Prednisone, I was having mood swings, body aches, shakes and dizziness and verdigo. My Primary Care put me back on Prednisone, 10 mg., twice per day for 10 days. It has been about 1 month now, and I am still feeling nausea, headaches, dizziness, verdigo, body aches and I have to lie down a lot. Is anyone out there having the same problems and if so, how long does it take to get the Prednisone out of your body? My Primary care thinks I am going through surgical menopause and wants me to take low dosage premarin, but I have a family history of breast cancer, Mother and my Aunt/her sister. I am 58 years old. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Dale Rodberg

Hi,

I was placed on 40mg first 2 days then down to 30mg for the next 2 days and continued lowering dosage until pills ran out in 8 days total. I have a stubburn sinus infection that's been on going for 3 months now. After starting the prednisone, my face was very red and my neck became stiff and bloated. Headaches followed with terrible indigestion and sleepless nights. Sinus is not much better for all this trouble. I have been off for 3 days now and still feel really lousy with continued headaches and swollen neck. Hope this clears up soon.