PredniSONE and inflammation

My 12 year old son has been on 60 mg of Prednisone for two weeks now. His side effects have not been bad at all up to this point. He's gained about 6 pounds. His brain is unusually active right after taking the drug, and this effects lasts a few hours. He's always been a wildly creative kid but prednisone seems to intensify is creativity and the productivity of his brain. He has Tourette Syndrome and his tics waned overnight after beginning the meds so that is a big bonus if prednisone is responsible for that. He has always been an insomniac since he was a baby but prednisone makes him sleepy, so sleepy he takes naps during the day and goes to bed early, sleeping soundly all night, so soundly he had an accident and wet his bed last night. His head sweats when he sleeps. He has infrequent periods of mild irritability. His appetite has increased but not unnaturally so. Seems like he finally has a sustained healthy appetite. He goes to 45 mg for two weeks tomorrow so I'm interested to see what new side effects this brings on. No stomach problems despite taking this along with very high doses of antibiotic. Maybe the prevacid he takes with Lactobacillus is helping with that and the fact that he takes his meds with small meals or lots of fluid.

im a 20 year old male who was given prednisone to reduce the inflammation around my spinal cord in my neck from a herniated disk. 60MG in the morning for 4 days and 40MG in the morning for 3 days...... no real weening process which im seeing probably should have been administered. while i was on it the mood swings were nuts and i noticed feeling muscle weakness and joint pain along with the occasional burning or tingling. ive been off it for 6 days and now the muscles in my legs and feet twitch and im still crazy in the head with little sleep and sinus headaches that don't quit. how long does this shit go on?

Prednisone is a popular medicine used to treat inflammation, but actually it is close to useless for anything. It can cause infections to flourish so any MINOR infection can blossom into acute wide spread sepsis. PLEASE use with CAUTION!!!

I had been on a prednisone dose pack (not too strong??) about a month ago for a neck injury to take away some inflammation. No side effects to mention and my neck felt tons better. Yesterday I went back to my dentist after 5 days of pain from a root canal. He put me on a prednisone dose pack saying there was some inflammation in the bone, very common, and the prednisone should take care of it. I took my dose yesterday, didn't sleep well (common side effect it seems) but then today my heart is racing and feels like it skips a beat. I have read this happening to folks on much higher doses, anyone have this kind of side effect with 20 mg/day?

My Dad about 65 lost sight in one eye recently. Now the doctors are saying he is losing his sight in the other eye. He was on Prednisone for years. Recently he has been taken off. The doctors say they have a 30 day window to find out what is causing this inflammation or he could die. He is also diabetic and has sarcodosis. He has an MRI scheduled. Prednisone should be banned.

My doctor put me on prednisone for pain and inflammation and I have never felt better in my life. It's a miracle for me right now and I'll take my chances with the side effects for being pain free. I'm a happy lady for now.

Predisone is the only other alternative for antibiotic therapy. Predisone has been known for years to have a lot of side effects. Always keep in mind you must be weined from the medicine never stop without consulting your doctor and if your doctor gives you a dose that does not require weining please also consult your pharmacist and the pharmacist really knows the drug compared to your doctor. Doctor's typically only know what the medication reps tell them whereas the pharmacist has extensive medication knowledge and will also know your current medication conflicts. Be sure that your doctor is aware of all medications including all herbal supplements and other the counter medications. With predisone you really have to out weigh the symptoms verses the side effects then determine are they really worth going through to eleviate your symptons. Keep in mind Predisone is a steroid a very potent anti-flammitory and reduces the inflammation so the infection can heal.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Any advice on the swollen ankles would be appreciated.

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

Stay away from Prednisone

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

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

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

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

Prednisone needs to be on the banned list of medicines.

Hello everyone,

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

I 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?

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

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

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

Prednisone is evil. I realize it can be helpful for some people, the only time it should ever be used (in my opinion) is for life-threatening situations. It should not be used for anything that is not expected to cause loss of life, limb of function. I am a 46 year old female with asthma. This drug has been prescribed for me many time over the past 25 years and every time I take it, the side effects are worse and take longer to go away. While this drug may initially help with an asthma exacerbation (and I have my doubts about that), I believe, that with time, it can cause difficultly breathing.

I feel like my body is a toxic dump! I often wonder how many people this drug has killed and how many people may have killed themselves while using (or coming off of) this garbage...YES PREDNISONE IS THAT BAD! Please, if you are being asked to take this drug for something you can live with (minor pain, inflammation, allergies etc.) then weigh your options very carefully. IMHO the risks associated with taking this drug are usually not worth it!

I was prescribed to take 30mg/day (Prednisone) to try to reduce the inflammation brought upon by Ulcerative Colitis. I have taken Prednisone before....up to 60mg/day, when I was first diagnosed with UC. I don't really remember all of the side effects I experienced, but I do remember my calves and feet swelling, a bit a of moon face and very little weight gain due to the UC. Does anyone have any suggestions to how/and when I should take the daily dose of Prednisone (early morning, with food...what kind of food)? Also, I would love to hear from anyone with Ulcerative Colitis and how they are coping with the disease. From their diet when in remission to during a flare-up! Thanks...

I was put on Prednisone for 7 days 50 mg/day and lowing dosage every 2 days by 10 mg for what my specialist called sudden nerve hearing loss. I suppose it was supposed to help shrink any inflammation with the hearing nerve.

After being on it for 3 days, I noticed a few of the usual side affects mentioned here. Extreme appetite, insomnia, thirst, etc. By the fourth day, I had severe mood swings and by the fifth day, I felt like I literally could hurt someone bad. I was very irritable and full of rage. It's about as close to a pyschotic episode as I ever want to be and I'm glad I talked to my family dr about getting off this med immediately and since I wasn't on it very long, quiting wasn't a problem.

People and their loved ones need to be very carefull if they are taking this med. I'll never take it again.

I must add my recent experience with Prednisone to this forum:

I have been suffering from constant lower back pain and a torn shoulder injury (rotator cuff) for the last several years. A week ago I got a slight case of Poison Ivy. My doctor gave me Prednisone - starting at 60 mgs. a day, tapering down to 10 over 12 days. I was unsure as to whether I wanted to be on a steroid , especially after reading some of the testimonies here at this forum. But I went ahead and took it. I must say this has been one of the most amazing experiences for me.
Not only did my Poison Ivy immediately begin to go away, but lo and behold, practically ALL my back pain and shoulder pain went away. I also found myself with this amazing positive mental attitude. I began to get up and enjoy my job everyday (normally I am somewhat depressed and stressed out). It was such a major change for the better - I feel like I have been living the resurrection!! Yet I know it is only due to absence of pain and increased energy brought on by the Prednisone. I feel like a happier, younger version of myself. Prednisone has even helped me sleep better! So, evidently, for some people, prednisone is a wonder-drug.
I did note a very slight manic edge at times, but never unmanageable and always very positive. As soon as I decrease the dose, the pain and inflammation in my back and shoulder starts to return. What a shame that this drug causes osteoporosis and other long-term affects. I wish I could stay on it forever!!

Hi, I was on Prednisone for a little over a month for Crohn's disease. I had minor side effects while taking it: couldn't sleep, no patience, dehydrated, dry eyes. It is the side effects from AFTER stopping prednisone that concern me. I''ve been off Prednisone for 3 weeks and I think I am losing my hair and getting acne-that I didn't have before or during taking Prednisone. Anyone experience side effects that started after stopping the med?

My thoughts on Prednisone are that it is USELESS!!! It is a popular medicine used to reduce inflammation, but other than that it is good for NOTHING!! It can cause ANY infection to flourish which means ANY minor infection can blossom into widespread SEPSIS. There has got to be something better. By all means...REFUSE PREDNISONE!!!!!!!!

Hi there... I have just found this site and I'm very grateful to everyone who has taken the time to sit down and tell us their story mine is very similar. BELIEAVE me I feel like I am pushing my family away and I'm losing my relationship with the one person who used to make me feel like I was the most beautiful woman in the world.
I'm a 40 yr female have or maybe had a great job that I loved... On April 12 I noticed a small red rash on my lower right leg no big deal went to the Dr. gave me some cream and sent me home well I went to work and by the afternoon things just seem to get bad my legs began to swell and little blisters started to pop up so I went to the E.R. they had no Idea what was wrong with me got me an appointment to see a skin DR. so I went home but the pain from the swelling was so bad I could not walk any longer went back to the E.R. they gave me some pain meds and called in some other DR. things had gone from bad to worse my feet had gotten to big I could not put on shoes and I had bruised completely across the bottoms of my feet they put me on 30mg of PRED. and it seem to be under control sent me home after 3 day in the hospital things were good for about a day or so I thought I would go back to work well that was not a very good idea.... My sister had to come and take me back to the ER where they did 2 biopsies and still have no idea what is wrong with me. so now they put me on 60mg of PRED the rash has gone, lots of scaring on my feet because of the blisters once they broke and dried out but I can live with that....
It's the side effects that they don’t tell you about,
MOON FACE I can't look at myself cause really that’s not me anymore,
WEIGHT GAIN I have always been thick but I can't handle the extra 30lbs I've gained,
MOOD SWINGS are unbearable,
PAINFUL JOINTS, CAMEL HUMP, BLOODY NOSE, BRUSING, SORE TEETH/GUMS, DRY EYES, FAITIGE, and worsted of all
I don’t have a support systems in my life so I'm fighting this by myself everyday, I have 3 kids that I have tried to explain all this to but they don't get it and well my boyfriend he tells me he understands that its the meds pushing him away but if I can't figure away to control this I will lose every thing including my job. I cant even get the energy together half the time to make it up and down the stairs which also comes with the pain of just trying to lift each leg up to climb the stairs, I also have the camel hump which I find very painful, The acne and the hair growth that I have to get wax off once a month cause I feel like a man I feel like a loser and as of the last couple of days I just want to give up I am now down to 20mg per day but I find that I am feeling so sick I cant think straight I hope and pray for each and every person out there that has to take this MED that you get better and I do hope that my symptoms wont come back. Thanks for being here and I’m glad I found this site. I know now that I’m not losing my mind completely. Elizabeth.

Hi! I am a 36 year old female and have been on this HORRIBLE HORRIBLE drug (prednisone) for 2 1/2 years now..... Hopkins doctors still arent sure exactly what i have. My immune system is attacking my liver so to speak. My body is basically looking at my liver like it doesnt belong and is attacking it with large multiple lesions that is eating it away... the good thing is that it hasnt interupted the functioning of it yet but is leaving horrible scar tissue. I have been in and out of the hospital 13 times, have had just about every test imangable, 12 liver biopsies and they STILL have NO clue! They are leaning towards Church Straus desease and Wegners but the weird thing is i have half symptoms of both. The first year they had me on 80 mgs of prednisone a day which had seemed to put me in remission for about 4 months and then they came back even worse so i was put back on the prednisone, 80 mgs a day AGAIN along with 100 cc's of Methotrexate, another not so nice drug... i had EVERY SINGLE BAD SIDE EFFECT OF BOTH DRUGS!! This second time around was ALOT WORSE for some reason!!! My body DID NOT LIKE IT!! Nausea, hair loss, moon face, gained 40 pounds (and i was in great shape, worked out, i am 5'4 and was 110 pds!), EVERYTHING was swollen, legs, ankles, arms, neck, face, had the camel hump, fingers and especially my belly!!! UGH!!! Have bone, muscle, and SEVERE joint pain! Kaliedescope vision, dry eyes and then had mucus discharge (kindof like pinkeye), headaches, intestinal problems.... VERY CONSTIPATED and then the opposite!!! I literally felt as if i had turned into a man in my behind!!! Sorry to be so gross but thats how bad it was!!! Jaw problems, teeth and gums as well, skin sensitivity and have little bumps all over my skin (kindof like tiny little moles), itchy, broke out with acne and pretty much NEVER had more than 1 pimple a month, had facial hair (VERY DISGUSTING!!!! HAD IT WAXED EVERY WEEK!!!!) and then on top of all of that the swelling of my liver not to mention the PAIN! I was recently in the hospital again with 12 new lesions, pneumonia, and 104 fever. My doctors said the Methotrexate was the cause and i was having a bad reaction to it so they now have me on 100mgs per day of Azathiroprine. I am now finally down to a maintenance dose of 5 mgs of prednisone cause my body was starting to reject that as well. I thank god that i am now down to that dose!!!! It as only been 2 wks and the withdrawl symptoms are horrible worse then they were but i know what is to come =) loosing all this fluid and all of the HORRIBLE side effects i listed above. I will have to be on the maintenance dose of 5mgs the rest of my life and can live with that cause when my body gets back to somewhat normal i wont even notice that im on this CRAP!! I will be on the high dose of Azathiroprine for a few years and then on a maintenance dose of that as well for the rest of my life to keep whatever this is that i have under control.... the scary thing is is that they arent even sure that all of these meds will even work...... im a guinea pig..... The only thing that i am on out of all 25 pills/meds that i take everyday that works is my pain meds. Oh and i also forgot to mention that i had to be put on some "HEAD CASE" medication (thats what i call it =) ) for depression. Its a low dose but it does seem to help... I am terrified of what the future holds but continue to be strong and have an amazing support team... my fiance and family =) I dont even want to think about how i would be without them. I go back on the 25th of this month for my MRI so please who ever reads this keep me in your prayers as for all of you are in mine. I feel for each and everyone of you that has to endure this horrible drug everyday and i hope that everything works out you. =)

Sue =)

My doctor prescribed me Prednisone on May 3. I'm on 10 mg. I start out on 3 tabs 2x a day for 4 days, then 2 tabs 2x a day for 3 days, then 1 tab 1x a day for 2 days. I was put on this for a sudden attack of joint pain/stiffness/swelling of my elbows, wrists, hands, knees, ankles and feet. I was in extreme pain. So far this drug has given me no side effects other than needing to urinate a little more often than usual. My pain is gone, as is the swelling. I'm almost scared to go off this b/c of the fear of the pain coming back. My blood tests came back on Friday and my doctor told me that I had Rheumitic (sorry, I know that's spelled wrong) inflammation and if the pain did come back after I stopped the Prednisone that I'd have to do more blood tests. I just turned 30 and I'm scared to death what else might be wrong with me.

I took prednisone at 60mg/day for a week for inflammation that would not go away. I didn't sleep for 5 straight nights and was too anxious to eat anything. I became psychotic after a few days and would seriously worry that the sun wasn't going to come up that day and the world was going to end. I became so depressed that all I could do was cry. It took serious energy to do anything...even showering or walking to the bathroom. Since this short episode I have not been the same. I am now being treated for clinical depression with 2 types of antidepressants. I would recommend taking prednisone at a much lower dose (say 10mg/day) for treating non-life threatening problems to avoid the psychological side effects.

Hello- I was Dx with Sarcoidosis in February, 2007. My lung specialist put me on 20mg Prednisone, increasing to 40mg within two weeks. My Sarcoid symptoms were from enlarged lymph- extreme trouble breathing, middle and lower back pain, kidney pain. Within a week of being at the 40mg level my heart rate and BP became so erratic that he had to start weaning me down. Initially I had extreme energy which felt good after suffering from fatigue but was short lived due to the cardiac problems.

The Prednisone has resolved much of my inflammation for the Sarcoid but I will not go on this again. I have been weaning now for over three weeks. Down under 5mg of Prednisone and it is almost unbearable. Each time I took a drop my mental symptoms became intolerable. Anxiety, extreme fatigue with extreme weakness, irrational thoughts, blurred vision. Within the last couple of days I could hardly get myself out of bed. My weight has increased steadily, bloating stomach, stiff joints, skin rash.

My biggest complaint is that doctors are not giving us enough information as to how this will affect from a negative side. Yes, it takes care of the inflammation but no one prepared me for these awful side effects and withdrawal symptoms. I feel like a nut case most of the time with no coping skills.

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!

I am so happy to have found this site! I thought I was losing it!

I had taken Prednisone two years ago when I had pneumonia that would not go away, and realize now that a lot of the problems I had during my two months of sickness were due to this drug. I do not remember how long I had taken it back then. I could not do any work and what little I attempted, I kept making mistakes that seemed right to me. For example, I had started to address Christmas cards and put all the stamps on the wrong side where the return address goes. When my husband came home, he pointed out what I had done. I had finished a big batch of them and it had never occurred to me that the stamps were on the wrong side. I cried for no reason and had weird mood swings constantly - don't remember how I slept. I was taking so many medications and it was a busy time of year for me that I thought my problems were due to the combination of all. I now know differently, which brings me to today.

I am on my 5th day of a 7 day dose (30mg first 2 days, 20mg thereafter) to relieve inflammation from a persistent cough due to sinusitis that started Dec. 27th. I have numerous symptoms! The worst being the mood swings, confusion & lack of sleep (averaging 3 hours a night). I thought I was going crazy. The side-effects surfaced pretty quickly. I had a rush project due today that I had started last Sunday. I am usually pretty good working under pressure and deadlines - not perfect, but pretty good, and there was enough time to finish all assigned to me. It took me forever to finish simple tasks and I made some mistakes that I never would have. This was a first time working with some colleagues who all must think I am a nut who cannot produce. I had a weird meltdown in front of the team leader and was totally not myself. My husband has been so worried about my erratic behavior that he refuses to let me drive. He dropped me off at an appointment and upon his return home found our front door wide open. I had walked out the door without closing or locking it. Now, granted I have been sick and am under stress, but I have never had the mood swings or lack of focus that I have experienced in the past few days except for the time I had taken the drug earlier. I was prompted to do a search on prednisone when I realized the similarity in symptoms. When I found this site, all the symptoms I had been experiencing and discussing with my husband were right here - I cried twice while watching Top Chef on TV Wednesday. Along with symptoms mentioned, I have a strange feeling in my stomach, numbness and I have a loss of appetite rather than hunger. Anyone else find that? I just looked at the clock and found that it took me over an hour to write this post. Thank God for spell-check!

All the posts are extremely helpful! I really feel for those of you who need to take it for long periods of time. I hope they find alternatives for you soon.

Hi
Am based in Uk,and am 47 yrs old.Was prescribed the wonder drug just before xmas 2006 for muscle inflamation.
Boy.............did i experience the worst xmas ever........was on 40mg (8 tablets a day).....besides making me hyper (where normally i can chill out) this drug made me feel i was losing it.I would have constant panic attacks,where at times i needed to get out of where ever i was and go for a long walk (which didn`t help my muscle inflamation).Felt very claustraphopbic.....everything looked dark.Lost sleep and had mood swings so far out of character that far from being the rational business man i once was i became a dithering wreck.Started having problems with my vision after 7 days and found out that the medicine induced glaucoma.
see what i mean by a great xmas!!!!!!!!!
Have been off the Drugs now for 2 weeks but still having problems with the sleep.Eye pressure back to normal and thankfully starting to regain my sanity back.No longer that hyper but still having mild panic attacks and still can not really sit and chill like i used to.My sleeping pattern is probably 3hrs a night so i am hoping that gets back to normal......... with a help of a few beers (before that is stopped)
New doctors wants to put me back on,but on a lower dose.............never.........have to look at alternatives
sunil

After the second day of taking Prednisone I noticed a dramatic difference. I was not in pain anymore from the inflammation. I thought it was a miracle drug, but with-in a week I started to gain weight, even though I eat a very healthy diet. I have been on Prednisone for almost 5 months and I cannot believe the amount of weight I have gained. I am now weaning myself off of it due to Doctor's instructions, and am experiencing anxiety and depression and the pain is coming back, almost immediately. Although it helped me tremendously in the beginning, I would definitely try another remedy before I ever take Prednisone again. They call it the "nasty drug" for a reason.

I am a 20 year old mother of a 3 year old daughter. Two days ago in the worst way I found out that I had asthma. In the hospital they presrcibed Prednisone to me to decrease the inflammation. It has been 3 days so far and I am flushed. I am taking 20 mg 3 times a day. I have become very weak in this short period of time and I am very tired. I can go to bed at 8p.m. and will take naps throughout the next day. I have a very small frame. I am 5'5 and weigh 120lbs. My biggest fear is gaining weight. My body is beginning to feel very heavy and I have been aching on and off. The different side effects that I have read has become very scary for me and I have gotten to the point of wondering what should I do. I still have patience but my nerves are getting very bad. My questions is since I have only been taking Prednisone for only 3 days now and I am experiencing these things already will they gradually stop or do you think there is more to come?

Oh my God, it's the drug from Hell. I started taking prednisone yesterday for the very firt time to treat severe inflamation of the bronchial airways due to pnemonia. I now now what an asthma attack must feel like. It was like breathing through a cocktail straw; frightening and unpleasant in the extreme. The good news is, within a couple of hours of taking prednisone, I was breathing easily without difficulty and severe wheezing; nice deeep full healthy breaths. The bad news is, I have been experiencing almost intolerable pressure in my skull along with headache, restlessness and insomnia. The worst part is, my heart started beating at an extremely abnormal accelerated rate, as if had injested a large amount of amphetamine such as cocaine or liquid adrenaline. Absolutely horrendous! My heart has been beating so rapidly that I suffered a pretty severe anxiety attack and felt as though my heart might pop right out through my chest cavity. I looked this drug up in the Physicians Desk Reference and the side effects are not ones I care to experience; insomnia, restlessness, anxiety and possible psychotic delusions. Good Lord, this stuff is poison as far as I'm concerned. I'm only supposed to take it for one week, but I'm going to contact my physician and see if its ok to discontinue. My reaction to this drug has been a nightmare. Although I'm breathing easyily and normally, the side effects do not, for me, outweigh the benefits.

I bruise easily and have ugly marks on armsor legs where I get injured very slightly. I have none of the problems that I have read above. I understand prednisone is for inflamation and I have COPD - bronchitis last winter. Am also taking Actonel for bone strength.

Steroids have been a night mare in my life for almost 3 years.
I started taking prednisone to combat Sarcoid 3 year ago. I was so messed up I thought I was going to die. My blood sugar went nuts. Both upper and lower Blood pressure went crazy. I started shaking and droping things and just in general feeling awful. I was on a decreasing amt. starting with 80 mg in Oct. to going completly off of it in Dec. In Jan of the next year I went to a new pulmonilogist. She said I had asthma and recommended I take Advair. After three months I started experiencing psychoses. This went on for 18 months. Starting with episodes evry few weeks to episodes every few days. The last 3 months I had several prednosine doses for sever asthma attacks. That is when I started having the most frequent episodes.

It has been almost a year since my Dr. and I figured out what was wrong with me, after going through many blood test, an MRI on my brain, an EEG, many dollars, much heart ache and much missed work. The eposiodes have started to slowly taper off in frequency and intensity.

Ther have been several occasions I need the drug, a skin rash, another severe asthma attack and inflamation in a wrist injury. I used an ointment on the skin rash, advair for the asthma and an injection for the wrist injury. All left me with psychoses.

I become extremely emotional (my face screws up and I cry), I hallucinate (my head feels goofy), My moter skills are impared and I shake. I am out of comission for 5-6 or more hrs.

If you can avoid this poison (my opinion) do so at all cost.

God Bless.

I have lupus and a congenital malformation of my cervical spine which causes lots of pain and inflammation.
Anyway, my side effects are always the same -
Hyperactivity, loss of appetite, loss of weight, insomnia,
and an overzeolousness that only an employer loves of is employee... who suddenly wants everything done perfectly..... I become exhausted and have to take sleeping pills to get any rest or I will NOT SLEEP at all...no fun when you are on 75 mg and tapering on and off .... the horrible thing is I get these symtoms even on small dosages...it is like being on speed or some hyper drug...I don't know what else to take for my lupus that helps with pain and other problems I have. I just want to sleep and not feel manic...

I have been on Prednisone for a year and had most of the side effects already mentioned. At Christmas I started to get an ache in my rib area when ever I lay down and if I turned over to my other side the ache would fall to that side, the only way I can explain the feeling is, my lungs felt too large for my rib cage..and then the ribs felt tender. A few weeks later I sneezed and a muscle in my back went into a locked spasms and I had to have oxygen to help me breath.

Over the months I still had this strange tenderness in the rib area, a chest x-ray showed my lungs were fine...now this tenderness has worsened and my muscles go into spasm as and when they feel like it...My doctor says it is inflammation of the muscles between the ribs and has changed my NSAID without any results so far...has anyone else had these symptoms ? I'm on 5mg a day now from 15mg for Atypical rheumatoid arthritis.

Hi Everyone:
Thanks for all of your entries. I am comforted knowing that I am not alone in my side effects. I have been taking 20 mg of Prednisone for a very severe poison ivy inflammation. I put off taking it for two weeks, trying every other remedy I could find, but to no avail. The first few days of taking it I noticed immediately relief from the itching, BUT I also was not sleeping and I felt a euphoria. I was invincible. Then, I crashed. I have been hostile, weepy, anxious, unable to sleep more than four hours, and almost unbearable to live with. I cannot believe how powerful this drug is.

I have four days left, I will cut the dose down and start weaning off it since it makes sense to cut down slowly. Wow, I feel so badly for people who have to take this on a long term basis. Do you have any alternatives that you know of? I help people with chronic pain and would love to know what else works.

Thanks everyone!

I have been on prednisone for twelve days, due to my Inflammatory Arthritis. I started on 15 mg of pred for 4 days, then 10 mg, and down to 5 mg. Today is my last day of prednisone, although my doctor told me that I could continue to take 5 mg, if I'd like. I have had mild anxiety and diarrhea, which I think is caused by the anxiety. My joints have felt great and the inflammation has gone down. The only drawback that I am had has been the anxiety and headaches. I'd take it again, but I do not like the anxious feeling that I am experiencing.

A side effect not mentioned yet:

The first week of January of 2005 a buldging disk piched my C5 nerve and I lost about about 50 percent use of my right arm. To reduce the inflamation I had a choice of going on oral Prednisone or cortisone injections directly into the disk. My doctor recommended Prednisone as it was non-invasive and I went with the Prednisone. I took 60 mg. a day for 3 days then 50 mg. for 3 days and so on over an period on 18 days. While I regained most of the use in my right arm, I am still struggling with the damage to the nerve and the disk. I wished I had elected to the cortisone shots since I experienced many of the bad side effects already mentioned. However, in addition and one that is on going is the impact on my sex drive in terms of maintaining an erection. I am 49 and have never had a problem prior to my experince with prednisone.

Has anyone else experince this side effect and does it go away with time. Just wondering?

I've been on Prednisone for 5 months now for pyoderma gangrenosum (big ugly skin ulcers on the lower calf) and it has been the only effective treatment to stem the inflammation. I also underwent a steroid pulse therapy for 3 days taking 20x the typical daily, oral dose. Hospitalization was reguired for monitoring purposes. The etiology of PG is unknown and there appears to be a casual relationship with Crohn's. Fortunately I don't have Crohn's. The many side effects that have been mentioned I have and the mood swings and the lack of sleep are the most dreaded. I'm also on Methyltrexate and Humira in hope of getting off prednisone. Yes, like many of you, there's a love/hate relationship with this drug.

I have been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. Sarcoidosis is a multi system disorder characterized in affected organs by a type of inflammation called granulomas. I happen to have it in my lungs. I was started on 50mg a day of Prednisone for an entire month. During this time I went periods of up to 4 days unable to sleep in spite of being prescribed sleeping medication. I have, over the last 8 months been taken down from 50mg a day to 10mg a day. I have gained 30lbs, my completion is a mess, my skin is oily, I have hot and cold flashes, I am always stuffy, and my mood was so altered I was put on anti-depressants.

My temper is easily agitated and this drug even strained my marriage. I went from a loving husband to a baby having temper tantrums.

This drug is horrible.

40 MG FOR 4 DAYS ON A 6 WEEK PROGRAM...SINUSITUS PROBLEM (is it a tumor or is it inflammation?)why don't they just biopsy!...Energetic right now with sleepless side effects and fat feeling..

Been on Prednisone about 6 weeks. I've had muscle fatigue, especially when its hot out (walking through a parking lot on a 100 degree day takes a little longer than I'd like). One thing I haven't seen mentioned here is that I have lost lean body mass. I had been having my body fat tested by a personal trainer (pinch calipers) before and after I started (30 mg/day for lung restriction (62%)/inflamation/collagen vascular disease/immune mediated lung disease/likely Mixed Connective Tissue Disease/autoimmune disorder). After 1 month on prednisone, despite the fact that I have continued to work out (cardio and resistance), I lost 3 lbs of Lean Body Mass. 3 weeks later I had lost another 3 LBM, and gained 1 lb fat mass. I'm glad to have kept my overall weight down, and my circumference measurements haven't gone up, but there is definately a redistribution of fat.

Other side effects moon face, acne, depression, energy swings (up/down). Heart burn, went from 8 hours sleep to 5 1/2 - 6 average, and facial hair growth. The overwhelming hunger (not just being hungary, but eating a full meal and not feeling satiated at all) has subsided for the most part. The drug is not fun. My doctor is now having me start imuran with the hope of lowering/eliminating the prednisone, but imuran has its own side effects.

The hardest part is that the doctors don't know what will work, its guess and check...When the side effects overshaddow the initial symptoms, is it worth it?

Hi, I read that you were diagnosed with Dermatomyositis-inflamation of the muscles. I have Juvenile Dermatomyositis, I am 14. This is strange that I've come across you, as the disease is so rare. I got so weak I had to spend 2 months in the hospital for my muscles to recover. I take 50 mg of prednisone and am scheduled to taper down to 10 mg in two months, a reduction of 10 mgs every two weeks. Since then, side effects that bother me most are the moon face, acne, and depression. But all the cushing's syndrome side effects go away at 10 mgs. I was wondering how long it takes for these side effects to go away once I go from 20 mgs to 10 mgs?

I have been diagnosed with DERMATOMYOSITIS-inflamation of the muscles. Had very severe pain in muscle,fatigue, patchy rash, calcium deposits,difficulty climbing stairs and very tired. Dr. put me on prednisone -60 mg per day. I really did not want to get on this drug, but seems like I had no other choice- as I could not do anything around the house, just trying to take a bath or do hair-I could no do. I have taken for 2 days and seems like I have a little more energy. Is there anyone else that had this same diagnosis and the results and problems with drug?

I just started taking a vey low dosage 5mg 3xday. for severe
rheumatoid inflamation and pain. I was desperate to be pain free so took Dr.s advice. It has taken my pain away almost completely. Noticed irrability right away, stomach bloating, increase in apetitite, low sex drive. I feel like I'm in a terrible mood and depresssed. Although it did take pain away. Dr. wants to wean me off down to 0 for the next 5 days and see how I'm doing. I don't want the pain back but might be something else he can put me on.
If'm glad he feels that it's unsafe to stay on. Told me of all of the horrible side effects.