PredniSONE and muscle cramps

I have asthmatic bronchitis. In June 2006 I came down with an infection in my lungs, which also set off my asthma. Between the two I was hospitalized and put on 240 mg of intravenous Prednisone and the antibiotic Levaquin. I was cured of the infection and was able breathe normally again but it took a great toll on my body It took me 3 months to taper off of the Prednisone and almost a whole year to feel myself. I was a strong, physically active person before this happened to me and I have not gotten my energy level and endurance back to what I was before I was sick. When I was released from the hospital I went from 160 mg of intravenous Prednisone to 80 mg of pill Prednisone. That step down was too severe and I went through intense joint and muscle pain in my body that it woke me from a sound sleep in the middle of the night. I luckily had an old Vicodin that I took which only made the pain bearable. I should have upped the Prednisone to make it go away but I wanted off. This pain lasted one week with each day getting less. The side effects I experienced from then on were so plentiful that I almost can't remember them all. The physical problems were, thin skin that bruised or ripped and bled profusely with the slightest bump, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, muscle cramps in my legs and hands, sleeplessness, dry mouth and frequent urination. My stomach bloated and got stretch marks. I didn't have any before that. The muscles in my thighs and upper arms atrophied so bad that I could not walk up stairs w/o using my arms to help. My arms were also very weak and I got hemorrhoids; another muscle that was affected. I had a bad case of the drops. I couldn't hold on to anything and broke many glasses. I got moon face that took a couple of weeks to go away after I was off the Prednisone. Because I was on such high doses, my hair died and stopped growing. About 40% of it fell out in one month. It took 6 months to grow back and it all grew back curly. On January 30, 2008 my bronchial tubes closed again due to a sinus infection. Again I was hospitalized with 240 mg of intravenous Prednisone and Levaquin. This time I responded much better, because I jumped on the infection/asthma instead of waiting. I stepped down from 240 to 180 to 90 to 60 and decrease 5 mg a day until I was off. This time I did no lose my hair land did not get hemorrhoids. The other physical effects were pretty much the same but much less severe. However, this time the emotional effects of Prednisone were much worse than last time. I was not a nice person. I was short tempered and argumentative and even had to stop myself from resorting to violence a couple of times. That is definitely not who I am. Prednisone stops your adrenal glands from working and adrenaline is you chemical way of coping with stress. I have been off of the Prednisone for one week and still find it hard to cope with the slightest controversy. My brain is still in a fog and I get confused easily. I cannot handle too many questions at once and forget things. My face is still round. Both times, I have found it the hardest dealing with the Prednisone at the very end and even after I finished taking it. I think it builds up and even though the chemical is suppose to be out of your body in 24 hours, it's effects stay a lot longer. I thought I knew what to expect but the second time was different again. It is a horrible drug but my trade off was breathing. Sometimes I think, that if I have to go through this a few more times, the side effects will kill me before the asthma. I wish all you Prednisone users loads of luck and stay positive.

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 recently experienced a rash on my chest and weight gain. My blood pressure has increased and my blood sugar has increased. My head feels sore on the upper right side. I have been getting muscle cramps in my ankles. All of this in addition to the 24 hour sweating and lower back pain and painful urinary tract. I have started experiencing sharp pain in my right testicle. I started walking my dog and had to stop after a short distance because the top of my head felt extremely hot and my vision blurred.
I am in the process of tapering off from this drug. I am taking 4 mg per day, down from an initial dose of 10mg per day.
A very tired old man. This has been my second post.

I have been on prednison since l980. I was told I had steroid dependent asthma. I briefly had moon face. I was very organized. I even typed my honey do list for my spouse. I was "driven" to get tasks done. I had difficulty sleeping, muscle cramps, frequent night time urination. easily bruised on my forearms when I bumped into things, lots of 3 corner skin tears and recently had a bone density test and now I have to take Boniva. I did not gain weight. Over the last two years I went from 140 to 120. I did experience two very serious illnesses (Throtoxic with Thyroid Storm and a spinal tumor and surgery.) I finally weaned off about 3 weeks ago. I went from 10 to 5 to 2.5 to 1.25 then 1.25 every other day - very slowly. No asthma symptoms yet. At this time I fatigue very easily. I have lost subcutaneous fat in my forearms, feet and face. I still have some muscle cramps in my feet and somethings deep in legs. I am sleeping much better. I am wondering if the loss of fat has anything to do with the long term use of prednisone. Has anyone experienced or heard of this connection to Prednisone?

I started Methotextrate 5 months agoi and I have been on Prednisone for three months now in combination with the methotextrate to attempt to get the symptoms of RA (Rhematoid arthritis) under control. Last month the Dr. tripled the dose from 5mg up to 15mg. I have been having problems with my vision. Sometimes it just blurs and then will clewar but there is no warning so I fear driving. Thinking is almost painful. I forgot my daughter's name. My thoughts often feel fuzzy. My muscles ache and sometimes I feel like moving takes to much energy. I couldn't use my left arm the other day because it weighed to much. I never really sleep and when I do the dreams are so real and vivid they wear me out. I get muscle cramps so bad taht my body is stuck until the cramp subsides. I feel weak much of the time. My primary Dr. sent me for an MRI thinking maybe I have MS but the MRI was beautiful. I do not have the intense pain from The RA I used to have now that I am on Prednisone
but I am thinking the pain was much better than the side effects (which never were really mentioned). I have read many of the postings here and have any of the same side effects but the above mentioned are the most disturbing. I am fortunate in that I am loosing weight and have not had the weight gain mentioned by many others. I guess I can thank the chemo for that:) I am comforted to know so many other people have problems with this drug (not that I wish suffering on anyone). I was starting to feel like maybe I am just crazy. I try to be a positive productive person but lately that is a challenge. I am going to be talking to the Dr. nad get off these horrible little pills. RA is easier to deal with than the side effects of the treatment.
Thanks for listening.
Liz

To Guess #11935

Let me tell you...when I stopped Prednisone I actually experienced constant fatigue, tingling on both of my legs, tooh sensitivity & a little insomnia. I'm glad to say my period was regular but lighter while on prednisone. My first period after Prednisone came a little late (if it wouldn't have been for the fact that I knew I didn't have sex, I would have worried I was pregnant) LOL
The reason of the fatigue and other side effects like muscle cramps, etc. is because the Adrenal Gland is trying to perfom its function again and is having a hard time by the day. It usually takes up to 4 months to be yourself again (Not responsible for any Psychological damage). The only thing I'm quite frustrated about is to not be able to lose much of the weight gained at all. 2 months ago I was 108 Lbs and now I'm 129 (I've only lost 2 lbs in 2 weeks) The worst fat is the Belly Fat no matter how hard I work out in the Gym, how much water I drink or how I don't eat after 7 PM at night....it doesn't matter because it's so stubborn! I guess what we need is "Patience." ;)

Have been taking Prednisone since January for a severe eye problem. Since there was a strong possibility that I could go blind, I had to take it. So far, I've only gained about 10-12 pounds...but keeping the pounds away has been tough! I'm now down to 7.5 mgm alternating with 5 mgm daily and my appetite has decreased, thankfully. All of my weight has accumulated from the waist up....which is typical. I continue to be bothered with hot flashes that come on suddenly and disappear within a few minutes. Eating a banana a day has eliminated the muscle cramps. Also, cutting back on salt helps the ankle/leg swelling. When I was on 60-30 mgm/day, I lost ALL sense of TASTE and SMELL! You'd think that would help with the appetite...but no! (One day, I ate six apples...as fast as I could!) Taste and smell is slowly returning.
Here's my two cents worth: 1. Prednisone is a powerful drug...don't mess around with it. If you stop taking it without tapering, you could place yourself in a life-threatening situation. 2. If Prednisone is precribed for you for an extended period of time, GET A SECOND OPINION. It is always possible that a newer, safer drug is available that your doctor may not be aware of. 3. Use the internet for finding the latest research pertaining your condition. Take copies of your findings to your health care providers. Be convinced that Prednisone is your only option.

My best to you all.....Mary

Not sure what happened: I had made a post several days ago. I thot it showed up..oh well.

They've reduced my dosage from 25mg/day to 10mg/day, it's been about 2 weeks. Some of the moon face has disappeared not a lot but some. The muscle cramps still creep up once in a while in the legs and sometimes the hands and even one in the neck but they pass more quickly now.

Eating is less of a problem. First of all, I was able to eat mounds of food. As mentioned by someone earlier, eating or not eating doesnt seem directly related to my weight but I did gain 4-5 pounds in 3 weeks and some days my weight would rocket 10 lbs right before bed. (Any weights taken outside the normal consistent time really don't count.. but they're interesting. Weight should be taken the same time under the same conditions every time to make any sense.) It wasn't just the eating it was the rationalization. "Oh I can eat just onemore helping.. about 5 lbs .. of potato salad". And it actually made sense. Probably related to the psychotic episodes others have mentioned. Now, at 10 mg, it IS easier to control. My weight has drifted back a bit to just 2 lbs over what I was when I started the pred.

Other side effects are still around: puffiness in the face (though it is diminished), buffalo hump, swollen belly, some acne (improves with phisohex), general movement of fat stores to all sorts of weird places. It is difficult to tell on a daily basis if that's changing only incomparison week over week (or more).

More later 'As the Prednisone turns'

I was diagnosed w/ Crohn's Disease at the age of 15. I am now 18 and have had no luck w/ any drug that they have tried to treat me with. Endocort and Asacol. After two years of these two drugs they decided to try Prednisone because I was not getting better. I have been on it for one month at 30 mg a day. I love it SO FAR. I am waiting to see what happens. I am scared because I haven't heard the best things about Prednisone. I have had mild weight gain. I weighed 93 lbs and now I am a healthy 105. I am not getting fat, I am just putting on the weight my body was lacking. I looked anorexically skinny and now my body is healing so I am able to eat more and not get sick. I have had mild heartburn as well. Especially when I drink pop. I have had slight muscle cramps. The worst part is the acne I have been experiencing. It came on out of nowhere. But, just wash your face 2-3x a day and keep it oil free and you should be fine. And to help control the weight gain I work out 3x a week. I also am eating healthier foods.

NEED ADVICE PLEASE! Has anyone had sore tendons, muscles, joints, etc. in hands caused or exacerbated by prednisone? If so, please email me at bgoodric@comcast.net. I'm a professional harpist, and my hands are my living. I was diagnosed with RA last spring, and I've been on pred for something like 6-7 months now, waiting for the Plaquenil to take effect. I was only at 10 mgs (now tapering, went down to 1 mg this morning), but I got bad moonface and fat belly, acne, feeling sweltering all the time, hair falling out, and sore gums. Eeew.

Recently my hands, wrists, and forearms are really hurting again, in muscles and tendons this time, as well as joints. (It's really impacting my playing; anyone who thinks that harp music can't sound ugly hasn't heard me playing in bad pain.) My hands aren't swollen much though, when before, with the untreated RA, they looked and felt like they'd each been stung by a whole beehive. Now, I was writing off all this new pain as caused by my getting off the prednisone TOO soon, before the Plaquenil works fully, and/or from serious overwork. (Amazing to have too many gigs, a lovely fluke that can't be turned down even if the timing is lousy.) But I've just found this website and seen a few people noting muscle cramps and such.

Could the hand problems be CAUSED or exacerbated by the prednisone, either by just having taken it at all or by tapering off it too quickly? Getting my hands working again immediately was the whole reason I was willing to get on the darn pred to begin with!

Let's see; I've also got muscle pains in shoulders, neck, lower legs, and feet, but all these could be due to music overwork too, or walking in bad shoes. I'm 43 and not terribly athletic, so the non-hand muscle stuff isn't all that shocking.

Another question, one that other people have mentioned earlier: How long after we stop the pred does it take for the dreaded moonface and belly (and acne) to go away? Is there any way to speed it up, along with exercise and sensible diet? (My sister's getting married in a month, so I've got the prospect of photos looming. I haven't gained weight, just had it redistributed, but I'm getting real chipmunk cheeks. Incidentally, approaching veganism seems to help me with the appetite. I've been trying to avoid dairy products to lessen the RA and when I manage that, after a few days I find that I'm no longer daydreaming about Haagen Dazs and Fettucini Alfredo. Don't know if that'd work for other people? I daydream about non-dairy dark chocolate instead, I'm afraid.)

I'd be grateful for any info and any advice! Good luck to you all out there. I knew prednisone could be problematic, but not as bad as what most of you have had to endure.

I've been on Prednisone since around late June, and by October 9th i'll be off it. My face is all fat, i've gained alot of weight, i'm getting HORRIBLE muscle cramps/soreness, which is BAD because i'm playing guitar in a show tonight, and if my hands cramp up on me while i'm playing I will be screwed. Annnnd, increased apetite, I have to pee all the time, especially at night (i wake up about every hour starting at 6), i only get about 6 hours of sleep per night now, i'm getting really bad acne and facial hair growth. Also, i had a really extreme mood swing last night where i became very grumpy. Then in a few hours i was fine. And i'm 17. I don't like this drug. I'm taking it for Ulcerative Colitis, and because of it my symptoms have disappeared. I'm hoping that my symptoms don't return when i come off the Prednisone, because if i have go back on it i'll flip out. :D

weight gain, muscle cramps in legs and hands, large, colorless
welts on face with slight indentation in center. My dermatologist says that they will disappear when I am off the drug - have been on for about a year and a half for polymyalgia rheumatica - pain relief is worth the symptoms, but the facial welts concern me. I am only on 4 mg a day now and will hopefully be able to reduce by 1 mg a month until I'm off....last time when I got down to 3 mg my pmr symptoms returned- I have also developed small cataracts although I'm not certain they were caused by prednisone.