PredniSONE and rash

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 love prednisone, at least so far. I have a rash that occurs only on the back of my upper arms and shoulder blades in the deep of winter...then reoccurs EVERY SUMMER as soon as I get in the pool. In summer though, it's all over my arms, my hands, my thighs and my upper back, even my neck a bit. It starts out as a medium tingle (like pins on my skin), lots of itching..which scratching definitely makes things worse. I apply sunscreen 70 and no help. I use anti itch cream which helps to keep me from scratching...but I can't bathe in it! If I don't scratch, the little bumps are still there, but they of course get red when I scratch.

I tried meds for hot tub foliculitis...no help. I start the prednisone and VOILA! It's gone within a day or two..or quickly disappearing. Two days after the last pill, I get in the pool..and the itching starts.

I have never noticed trouble with breathing or any kind of anger / rage issues...I do wonder if those are other folks symptoms of something else. I would really look into that before blaming prednisone and not addressing the real issue.

I have been on prednisone (tapering from 5 tabs a day to one over time) and it's the ONLY thing that helps with this rash and it's cleared the rash one hundred percent of the time. LOVE prednisone, came here to see if I could be on it all summer. I have three kids, no babysitter and my pool is my only true pleasure....I live for it all year as I hate winter and fall...I'm a summer girl!

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

I am so glad I'm not the only one that has the crazy symptoms. I am being treated for an inflammation in my optic nerve. I woke up over a month ago now with double-vision. I was on 100mg a day for seven days then went down to 60mg. I feel like I'm high all the time though. I have to take my pills at 7 in the morning and they are still effecting me until about 2 or 3 in the afternoon. I can't drive or do anything that would take a lot of concentration cause I just feel out of it around my eyes. Also I have tingling in my face and arm. Not sure if this is a side effect or if its the possibility that I may have Multiple Sclerosis. (getting an M.R.I. done for further testing) Does anyone else have those tingling sensations?
My vision has almost come back to normal now. The Prednisone has done wonders for that, but I really hate taking it.

I am on prednisone frequently for respiratory infections as I have a chronic lung condition. I was just hospitalized for a week and on 80 mg per day IV. I have tapered by 5 mg every 3rd day. I have a rash in my hairline and actually in my hair. I have blurry vision, insomnia, cravings for food, weight gain, puffy face, swollen stomach, and pain so bad in my left hip joint that I can hardly bear weight.
In Aug, 2008, I had my right hip replaced from avascular necrosis caused by steroid use for my lung condition. I am worried that AVN is now also in my left hip. The steroids take the swelling down in my lungs so I can breathe, however they are destroying my bones. I am so scared of another hip surgery. I realize that I need to be thankful that my joints can be replaced, but it is a horrible side effect of this drug.

Have had skin excema most of my life on and off and just dealt with it with various ointments and such. To make a long story short I went to an emergency room one night about 9 months ago with a bad headache and instead of them dealing with just the headache they obsessed over my rash which is worse on my lower right leg. I was prescribed prednisone along with some antibiotic and not realizing what prednisone can do i took the 5 day plan. I knew immediately I was going to have problems as I was definitely on some kind of powerful stimulant. Anyway that was 9 months ago and I seem to have exchanged my excema for a permanent case of the type of hives that is worse at night before bed and is aggravated by any pressure on my skin. I do mechanical work and if I squeeze a screwdriver or bang on something with my hands they will swell and itch and my fingers will not bend very well. When I feel a slight itching in my hair or around my neck I also will have a slight headache. The hives can appear on my back or thighs or arms or belly at different times usually. Stress doesn't help either. By the way I am 60 and never had hives that I recall ever.
mtrsr50

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

Hi everyone.
I was prescribed prednisone for a hand injury that the swelling would not go down. I took it for 4 weeks. In the end of the first week I started breaking out in a rash that itched like crazy. They were small bumps that had nothing in them and they itched so bad I scratched them raw in my sleep. I informed the doctor about the rash and he told me it was to late in the game to get any side effects. This medicine also caused me to become very irate from any little thing. It also made me to lose my job while under a workers comp doctors care. This was about 6 years ago and I still am battling the rashes. They come and go but when they are apparent they take a long time to go away. I used to heal very fast but now it takes forever for an injury to heal. I have had blood work done and even had my liver checked out. They say I am as healthy as a horse so to speak. The rashes have scarred me all over. The bumps would turn to sores that took about 6 months to heal and they hurt, burned and itched all the time. I tried everything to control the itch and pain. I finally mixed aspirin with alcohol and some lotion together and this helped enough to get a fairly good night sleep as I was becoming exhausted. I am learning to deal with it in time but I will never be the same. My thinking is far from my normal thinking.
I had a list of side effects from prednisone and it was four pages long and the very first one was, Instant Death! The only side effect I was told by the doctor was that I might become easily irritated. In my opinion I think all doctors should give you an option after he has presented you with ALL the side effects of a prescribed drug and let you be the judge if you should take it or not. I now have a different doctor and he has prednisone as a drug I can not take. This medicine might be good for some people but it can have life changing effects for those that can not take it.
I feel for anyone that has had bad effects from it and hope you get over it some day.

Hello everyone! I just want to thank each and every one of you for your postings. On more than one occasion I would come to this site because without all of you I probably would have truly lost my mind. I just want to give a brief history of what's been going on with me because if it can help one other person then it's all worth it. In 2005, I go vaccinated for chickenpox, I work in health care, never had them, and wanted to start having children since I'm 36. A month after the vaccine I broke out in a horrific rash ALL OVER and had it until April of 2008. I went to the hospital where I had the vaccine, 5 dermatologists, 3 Infectious Disease, various medical doctors and no one knew what it was. This April, I was admitted to the hospital with Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia. After 3 hematologists, the last one feels the vaccine threw my immune system into a tizzy. I started with 60mg of Prednisone and eventually got down to 2.5mg. The hemolysis(body produces antibodies that attacks it own body) started again so I went to a new Hematologist and was put back up to 30mg and just got put down to 10mg today. Right now my biggest concern is the hair loss. I use to have such thick hair and now I cry almost daily because I loose so much. I am going to try the Ensure like someone posted just to see if that helps. I drink protein shakes, take Silica, multivitamins (Solgar) that have biotin, and going to try Nioxin shampoo. I have terrible mood swings and now I feel like I am going through withdrawal. It's almost like I want to take more just to feel better. I know that sounds crazy. The big fat moon face, my joints feel like they pop out, confused easily, can't sleep, and just can't really leave my house and live a normal life since April. I HATE IT!!! The only thing that helps me feel better when the daily prednisone "kicks in" is walking and exercising. I feel so bad for everyone this drug is just awful. I get angry because not one person told me what life was going to be like on prednisone. I think that is just mean. That's why these postings are so important. I know this is entirely to long but I feel so much better getting my story out there. Did everyone's hair eventually grow back. I don't know if I will have any left next month. Thank you all so much.
GG

I have asthma and have been prescribed prednisone several times for it. Every time i take it i break out in an awful acne looking rash all over my arms and my chest and sometimes even my face. it doesn't start until about 3 days after i have started the medicine and it doesn't go away for about 2 weeks and it itches the whole time. I told my doctors that every time they would try to prescribe it and they did not believe me they said no one could be allergic to prednisone but it has happened to me 6 times now and it has never happened before i had prednisone or on many other medicine since then.i finally got them to switch the steroid to a different kind but every kind seems to do it. i had to refuse steroids the last time i was in the hospital for my asthma they just would not accept that i could not take the medicine.

Earlier this summer, I developed a case of shingles. It went away, but about a week ago a similar rash broke out. I thought that it was a second bout of shingles, but my doctor assured me that it would be impossible to contract the disease on different parts of my body. Because I am not home with my ordinary doctor, I had to see another doctor, who was unsure of what the rash could be, but nevertheless prescribed with with 50mg of Prednisone daily. I took my first dose today, and am reluctant to continue. I don't want to be a victim of any of the side effects, but am unsure as to whether there is another way to go about getting rid of the rash. Any advice that could be given so as to not have to continue with the Prednisone would be great. I don't want the rapid weight gain, depression, mood swings, etc.

I have had trouble with eczema/psoriasis for several years and it has spread to most of my body. Hands, arms, elbows, back, chest and stomach, hips, back-side of my thighs, knees, bottoms of my feet, scalp, inside my ears, forehead, what haven't I mentioned? So far, Prednisone is the only medication I can take that clears it up. Trouble is, the doc won't let me take it long enough to completely clear the rash before I'm tapered off. After reading some of the other posts, I've got to say that I've never noticed any adverse reaction. My appetite is up a little, but my energy level is also up and I burn off any extra calories. I sleep better (no itching) and for longer periods, wake feeling better, have a better outlook for the day and am ready to go. I'm a salesman, so my mental attitude is important, and my wife and family all agree that I'm less moody and in a generally better frame of mind while taking Prednisone. I've noticed no stomach or bowel distress except for being a little less regular than normal. But no constipation and no diarrhea. I'm 61 so a few muscular aches and pains and joint stiffness are to be expected, but I've noticed no unusual incidents. While I don't advocate taking large doses (define large doses???) for long periods, I've read that taking Prednisone on an every-other-day basis can be effective while greatly reducing the risk of side-effects. I think Prednisone has been a real "miracle drug" for me and just wish there was something as effective without the side-effects.

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 prescribed Prednisone after I had an adverse reaction to an antibiotic which i was taking after an insect bite became infected. I am covered in a sore extremely itchy rash of weels all over my body.

I took 6x5 mg of Presnisone with breakfast and as I was feeling ill because of the rash I took it easy and lay on the sofa suddenly about 60 to 90 minutes after taking the pills I had an overwhelming feel of wanting to be sick and diarrhea, my head was spinning and I came out in a cold sweat. I become very anxious and felt like I would die, so quickly and severely did this come upon me.

All I could do was lie down and let it pass. fortunately my husband was at home and I felt reassured that if needed he would ring for emergency treatment. after a while this feeling passed but did return about an hour later. It took about six hours before I could move my head without feeling sick.

I spoke to my GP on the phone and he said I shouldn't have had a reaction like that, it was not the usually side effect! Reading the post on this forum I think it most definitely a side effect of Prednisone.

Now I have to decide whether to take it again tomorrow I am still very itchy and the rash hasn't got any better but no worse. My GP suggested taking 3x 5mg for breakfast and 3x 5mg with lunch.

I only have to hopefully take it for one more day after that. I do feel for those of you who have no choice but to take.

My husband was stung by a wasp. He had a major reaction of hives and fainting spells. Naturally we went to emergency where the doctor prescribed.. you guessed it.. PREDNISONE !! sigh. He was told to take it only the next morning of his attack as the prednisone would make him too irritable to sleep. He woke up the next morning and all his rash was gone and he was feeling like a million bucks. NO more side effects from the wasp sting. We were always wondering WHY he needed to take prednisone for a wasp sting but wanting to listen to our knowledgeable and GOOD doctors, my husband took the prednisone. He was told to take 10 5mg pills in one shot, therefore, 50 mg. per day and then eventually wean himself off. Well, he took but the first 10 and within the 1/2 hour he developed an even greater reaction to hives than the day before. He became very agitated and moody... We drove back to the hosp. only to see the same doctor who'd tell us that he didn't HAVE to take the prednison if he didn't want to and that he was SURE that the prednisone had not caused this latest and worse reaction !!
For crying out loud. This is the year 2008. Couldn't the doctor have told us ahead of time that if the symptoms disappeared before even filling in the prescription ( which is what happened in this case ), THAT He should never have taken any drug? Prednisone is a killer. I know.. My mom DIED because of this darn drug only to find out that they were treating her for a disease that she probably didn't have after years of using PREDNISONE. These poor older people think that the doctors are GOD and that they have to listen to their every word. My husband, on the other hand, has thrown the drug away after just ONE USE. PLEASE, people, find other doctors and solutions and get second opinions.

I have had a skin rash called vasculitis; Have taken prednasone and my highest weight is 230lbs. I used to weigh 147lbs. I feel like jabba the hut!! If I don't take it I break out and feel like a lepper if I do take it I may still break out and gain more weight. It's enough to make you depressed and i have been. No one should live like this.

I started taking 80mg a day for a rash I developed after the Celestone didn't work. This has been the worst hell I have ever gone throught, I would much rather have given natural birth. 80mg a day for 5 days, 60mgs a day for 5 days, 40 mgs a day for 5 days, then 20, and 10 for 5 days. I am on the3rd day of 40 mg. My face is so swollen. I have had to cancel social events as I cannot even carry on a decent conversation. The nervousness is over whelming. I cannot work . I come home and drink alcohol to take the edge off, which the affects are greatly exaggerated, but no hangover in the morning, which I'm sure is putting my body through hell. The Dr. gave me 25mg of vistarill to help me sleep. Wonderful drug! If it wasn't for my dogs, I would be insane, as they are the only living creatures I can stand to be around. I am going to cut my dosage to 3 days instead of 5 to start weaning myself off. I read on another web site that the moon face should start to dissapear when I go down to 10 mg a day. Thank GOD!

im 22. was diagnosed with dermatologist in November. its an auto immune disease...inflammation of the skin and muscles..been dealing with this for like 8 months now. been on prednisone through all of this the whole time. seems like it might have made my muscles better but does nothing for my rash really. i hate being on steroids. i never know how im gonna feel everyday. major mood mood swings. i was on 60mg ive moved down to 20mg a day now. i still have all the stupid side effects. hair on side of face, arms and back..swollen face..acne..and i now have stretch marks..i hate it and cant wait to get off of it. wish i was never on it.

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.

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 had a kidney transplant a year and half ago, and had to take Prednisone as one of my post-transplant med's. I was on it for about 2 months and I went through a lot of the same side effects mentioned by other people, increased appetite and weight gain in odd places, sleeplessness, and acne. Then recently I had an allergic reaction to an antibiotic and was again prescribed prednisone for three weeks, but this time the acne is so bad it looks like a rash, and it's all over my back, chest, neck especially, and on my face. I can deal with it because I realize it's what I need to do, and I am grateful that there is a drug that can treat the symptoms from the allergy, but I am wondering how long it will take for the acne to clear up once I finish the 3 weeks? Does anyone know how long it takes when you've been on it for that amount of time? Any thoughts would be helpful. Thanks.
Megan

Was prescribed prednisone 10mg dose pack. Took my first days worth and by bedtime my heart was beating so fast it felt as if it was going to pop out of my chest and burst. I went to the hospital and per the doctors there, SVT is not a reaction to prednisone. Anyways, left hospital with a clear bill of health, heart was in good condition.
Now, If it wasn't the prednisone that caused this rapid heart beat, what was it? I really think that the prednisone was the cause but as long as I'm not sure, I fear this will happen again out of the blue.

I hope that what I'm going through is a side effect of this stuff. I'm a 31 year old, non smoking man. Almost three weeks ago I noticed a rash starting on my arms and torso, it looked exactly like poison ivy, except there is no likely way that I could have come in contact with it. I went to see my doctor as a precaution. My normal PCP was booked, so I saw another doctor at the practice. She said "we may never know what this is, but it should go away soon." She told me to wait and keep an eye onit. At this point I really had no other issues, it didn't itch too much.
Four days later, the rash had spread all over my torso and arms. I was starting to feel bad, and spent the weekend in bed with dizzyness and nausea. I called the doctor and she phoned in a prescription for Amoxicillin. I was on the Amoxicillin for 4 days before I went back to see her as my symptoms had not gotten any better. She put me on a 9day cycle of Prednisone. The prednisone cleared up the rash mostly, but throughout the cycle I felt weak, nausea, dizzy. It sucked. I read a lot about side effects online and was hopeful that this would end with the endinig of the prescription. Tuesday morning (8/14) I took my last pill. Yesterday I could barely function. I felt dizzier than normal and had a very hard time getting through the day. Now it's Thursday 48+ hours since my last pill, and I still feel dizzy, like I'm in a Fog. Does anyone know if this is possibly still due to prednisone? If I wake up tomorrow like this I'll plead for an appointment with my PCP. Any help is appreciated.

Hi! I am a 34 y/o woman that was diagnosed with "Allergic Reaction of Unknown Etiology". I had a red rash that travelled from my legs to my face and back down. The lymph nodes at the base of my hairline on the back of my head were extremely swollen & very painful.
The doc prescribed Prednisone Dose Pack (I have has dose packs in the past, so I didn't think anything of it).

After day 2, I started to see a slight decrease in the rash, but then it started itching.
On day 3, my hands & feet began to swell...and my joints were extremely swollen & PAINFUL!! The cramps started in my feet and hands...thought I was going to die! Oh, and eating everything in sight is the understatement of the year!
Day 4 saw Abdominal Edema and the hands of a Lobster!
Day 5-7: Same ole same ole! Called to see my regular doctor...appointment tomorrow! BUT, after seeing this website, I think I know what is wrong...PREDNISONE!
I will be adding Prednisone to my Allergy List!!!

Hope I never ever see this drug again! I wish all that are on this a SAFE trip!!!

I took prednisone for 6 days - weaned off. I took it for poison ivy. Ended up with a rash/hives worst than what the poison ivy did. I took this drug about 8 years ago with no ill effects. Now at 48, I am swollen and itchy ALL over my body. While on it, I suffered from insomnia, nausea, and loss of appetite. I also noticed I was in a fog, which I didn't realize was a side effect until I read these other entries. How long do these side effects go on? I would love to lose this rash!

I have been on pred for 6 days after takin solu medrol dose pack for 6 days for an allergic reaction. The med helped the rash and itch immediatly but as soon as i taper down the rash is back full force. I dont know what to do I cant take the steroids anymore, I am a rotten crabby person on these, i have heart palpitations and sever muscle spasms, it has to be from the steroids. If anyone knows how i can feel better please let me know. I also urinate constantly and only sleep in broke up cycles with wacky dreams..........

I was on Prednisone for 3 weeks (3/daily, week 1; 2/daily week 2 and 1/daily, week 3 -- I forget the dosage) for some exzema on my hands. It took care of the exzema but made me very irritable and depressed.
I've also had some intermittent weird rash/itchiness the insides of my elbows & legs, on my wrisits and the backs of my hands. I've been off of it for a week now, but the rash seems to be a bit worse and coming more frequently. I'm not sure if it from the Prednisone or not, but that is the only thing that is different in my life.... has anyone else every had this happen to them?

Hello,

I am writing for my mother who has been taking prednisone for the last 2-3 months. She was prescribed prednisone for kidney failure. Well I don't think I can possibly name all the side effects she has had but I will try. She has experienced the moon face, contracted diabetes, loss of muscle coordination, vision imparment, insomnia, loss of appetite, purple rashes throughout her body, muscle pain, fainting, and the latest which was the worst of all, she is in the hospital because the doctors are saying she had a mild infarct(heart attack) my mom is no longer the person I knew, I also have a feeling that the doctor who prescribed it to her, overdosed her with 6 pills a day, I feel he should have started her with a much lower dose. My mom never had any of the above problems before. If you are going through something similar you will be in my prayers.

I have a daughter diagnosed DD that was prescribed Prednisone 20 mg. twice a day for seven days for skin allergies. She could only tolerate taking this medication for TWO DAYS without serious side effects. She developed a rash, profuse sweating on both her hands and had to change clothes several times a day for a week due to excessive sweating. She had swelling on her ankles. She developed catatonia that was diagnosed by her personal psychiatrist due to the Prednisone and has been told to NEVER take Prednisone again because she is allergic to this medication.

I'm 26 years old and broke out in a horrible rash back in June. It was basically all over my upper torso, arms and my legs. I went to see a dermatologist and got a high prescription of Prednisone (40mg/day). The rashes went away, but I had many side effects. I gained 10 pounds in a few months (and it's hard for me to gain weight due to my high metabolism), my cholesterol shot up from 170 to 219, I was having mood-swings and feeling depressed, I was having dizzy spells, and it seemed like I was eating everything in sight. Now that I am off Prednisone, my cholesterol is back to normal and am not feeling depressed or having mood-swings. I am still waiting and working on losing the extra weight which does not seem to go away, esp. around my stomach area. I still feel light-headed at times but it's bearable. I hope there is a better drug or solution out there in case of another break-out. I do not want to go through that again.

I have been on and off of prednisone for the last 3 years- very high doses starting at 120 mg a day- the side effects are nightmarish- extreme weight gain, rashes, infections, moon face, mood swings- if there is a side effect i have had it. The good news is though the side effects are temporary and eventually the weight does come off. I have idiopathic anaphylaxis- also with known allergies to medicines, food and the enviroment. As much as I hate being on the drug- it has saved my life everytime- have faith things will get better- just surround yourself with a good support team-

Hi - I have been on prednisone now for 4 weeks due to a rash from an allergic reaction to sulfa. I started on the paks of 6/5/4/3/2/1 which I was on twice. That didn't work so my dr increased me to 60 mg for 2 days/50 mg for days etc. That didn't work so now I'm on 40 mg for 4 days/ 30 mg for 4 days etc. I'm not feeling confident that this will work either. The only side effects I had until this last dosage was the excessive sweating, increased thirst and urinating. However since I started taking this last dosage of 40 mg for 4 days I have developed the "moon face" which is horrible and insomnia. I haven't slept in 4 days. When I do fall asleep I wake up with the sweats. Also my vision has started getting blurry at times too. This stuff is scary. My dr didn't tell me about any of this - I have learned it from reading the drug effects and this website. I appreciate knowing I'm not alone. I hate being on this drug but it when I'm on the higher dose it does stop my itching which is driving me crazy too. I have been having mood swings too but I'm not sure if that is the drug or just from the stress of all of this. If this dosage doesn't work I don't know what else they can do but I don't want to have to go back on Prednisone again. I'm afraid what side effects will happen next and I worry about the long-term effects too. And please tell me the moon face will go away after I stop Prednisone... Thanks for listening.

Hi,

Last week I was cleaning, and I sprayed my sink area with bleach, I accidentally leaned into the bleach soaking my pants causing an awful rash from an allergic reaction. I had Prednisone already prescribed from an earlier date for my athsma, so I followed the directions on the bottle and took 4 pills which was 40 mg last night at 3am. I slept through the night, but when I got up and started moving around, I felt very hot in my face, flushed, confused and irritable. I took it upon myself to take 40 mg and now I don't have any more to take for today to ween myself slowly. Is this dangerous? should I call my Dr. tonight or will it be ok until monday? Please help...thanks

I have been taking prednisone for five year for sarcoidosis,an autoimmune disease that targets first your lungs and then your immune system attacks any and can attack all muscles of the body. It left me with scaretissues in my lung.started with 70mg. down now to 20 and have been down to 5. every time i think i can come off my breathing gets worse but i think the medication also causes shortness of breath. i have lost vision in one eye ,no central vision since this med.break out in rashes.feels like iam disconnected mentally and phycially eye floaters in the other eye weight gain of about 50 pounds that will not move and i don't eat hardly anything.nervousness,moodswings and let me not forget the hypertension that i never had until this med. Now iam taking meds to doctor the problems the p rednisone created. CANNOT WIN FOR LOSING!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Took this for short time for severe rash. 6 first 2 days then 5,4,3, 2, 1. I feel like I am jumping out of my skin. The sight of food makes me sick, DARK DARK moods, cannot even focus b/c it seems overwhelming. Have to take an extra sleeping pill to sleep, very sore throat, rash has lessened but still get new spots, can't sit still and I am extremely sure if I had to be on this stuff any longer I would be needing some antidepressants. This is some scarey medicine and i pray deeply for you who have to take it long term.

I was put on low dose prednisone 6 days ago for poison ivy. I took 8 pills first day, 6 2nd day, 4 third day, 3 5th day, 2 6th day and then one today and one tomorrow. Short-term use, but feel I would have rather suffered the itching and severe rash! My heart is racing almost all the time, breathing is rapid, feeling of excitement most of the day, however, also fatigued. Weight gain of 2# and my belly feels like it has a lead basketball in it - although I can eat continuously. Heartburn has reappeared in my life despite being on 2 different medications for this already. Yesterday I began feeling life is surreal - real clear and unusual. I feel for those of you who have to be on it for lengths of time. This is one nasty drug that I wish they could refine the side effects of SOON.

My poor son was put on prednisone 3 times a day 50mg. each for mono. Poor thing he has been suiciidal, depressed, halucinating, rashes and more. This drug is awful and should only be given in a desparate situation,

I have been on Prednisone for 6 days and have had severe heartburn everyday. I will be off it tomorrow and hopefully the heartburn will go away. I was on it due to an allergic reaction and it did clear up my rash but the heartburn has been terrible.

I just started taking 60 mg a day .. today was my first day .. it was for a rash and my legs and knees hurt, my stomach hurts, my face has broke out, and i have a headache i hope that it gets better..why do this give this stuff to people if it makes them worst.. id rather wait until it goes away on its own!

I take 10 mg prednisone for my emphysema.Since I started taking it I have gained twenty pounds and have unusal skin rash on my face plus I become irratated at times for very little reason.Up until I started taking it I was allways skinny.I hate this stuff!!!!

I just finished up a 5 day course of Prednisone for a rash (poison ivy???) I noticed about 2 hours ago that my calves, ankles, and feet are huge. The drug info says that "I should check with my doctor asap". Also Im glad that my severe moodiness this weekend was the drug.

MY WIFE HAS BEEN ON PREDNISONE FOR 4 YEARS HER FOR FIRST SIGN OF ASTHMA SHE IS 25 NOW WE HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE HOSPITAL WITH NO INS. THEY TESTED HER FOR EVERY DISEASE AND FOUND NONE THE DOCTOR SAID THE BREATHING PROBLEMS ARE CAUSED FROM SEVERE ALERGIES WE CANT GET THE ALERGIE SKIN TEST DONE ON HER BACK BECAUSE THE DOCTOR SAID SHE HAS TO BE OFF THE DRUG WHEN SHE STOPS THIS DRUG HER ALERGIES CAUSES HER TO HAVE BAD ASTHMA AND BREATHING TREATMENTS DONT WORK WHEN SHE STOPS THIS DRUG SHE ALSO BRAKES OUT IN RASH AND IT TURNS INTO A BRUISES SHE CANT GET OFF THIS DRUG WE NEED HELP SHE IS A MOTHER OF 2 AND HAD A MISCARRIAGE 7 MONTHES AGO HOW CAN SHE STOP TAKEING THIS DRUG?

My DR perscribed predisone for an allergic reation I had that has caused a rash all over my neck and chest, and after reading some of these posts, I'm almost ready to skip taking it and live with the rash....

I have been on Prednisone for about 3 to 4 months now and I am rapidly gaining weight, and my face is puffy and looks swollen. I am hoping that it has not had any effect on my eyes, as I have implants in both of them. In the past months I went from 140 lbs to 168. and frankly I have had to cut my pills in half and reduce the amount of the medication. I take 1/2 pill twice a day But this has not helped the fact that I am all broken out on my chest and back with a rash that itches like it needs scratching with a cheese grater. Now what do you do . Make reservations at the funeral parlor.

I have been taking 40mg prednisone every other day for myasthenia gravis, Isaw My doctor yesterday due to a bright re rash that is barely raide..not real itchy is spreading from start point of inside my arms..like opposite elbows. It is also under my breasts, in my belly button. He seemed stumped and thought it might be a side effect of prednisone catching up with me . I have a steroid cream he has me applyin 2 x day and now it is on my neck this am and I AM SEEING TINY BLISTERS AND different shapes.

I wonder if I could have a systemic fungus or infection the prednisone hides and how do you tell if you have a prednisone rash or fungal infectio, '

Thank you, Joan G

I have been taking it for a severe allegectic reaction to who knows what. Broke out in red seepy rash. It seems everytime I take it I have trouble breathing for most of the day. Than goodness today was my last dose.Has anyone else had this problem? JC

I myself am recovering from poison ivy. Wondered if the prednisone was causing the night sweats. Knew about the other side effects listed because I had a similar rash flare up last summer where prednisone was prescribed for one month. If the side effect was on the bottle, I had it. No more gardening for me. I'm on for ten days this time...but think I'm gonna give the doc a call because it seems to be reflaring now that I'm cutting back on the prednisone. Similar to you IvyGirl I only have about 2 days left and the poison ivy is resurfacing. Read somewhere online this evening that if you try taking your dosages earlier in the day it may ease the night sweats and possibly the insomnia too. Good Luck IvyGirl.

I am currently wining off of Prednisone, I'm taing 2 mgs every other day. I was put on Pred when I was diagnosed with Lupus 2 years ago. My lupus rash has come back, but that is the only lupus symptom that was returned. My doctor did a great job of taking me off Pred slowly.

I just started taking what will be a week's worth of prednisone for a hive-like rash (unknown cause). My dosage began with 30mg today. Within one hour I was sweating so profusely I felt like a cartoon character....so I got online to find out if this was a normal side effect so quickly, and I found this forum.

If I'd read this first I'd probably have not taken it!

I will taper down over the seven days. Anyone know if I can
expect moonface & weight gain on this short, rather limited dosage?
The Dr. cautioned about swelling and a rather manic feeling (He described it as "vacuuming ferociously at 3 a.m.") but thought most of problems came in 50 mg-plus dosages or those for extended time...
I also take meds for high blood pressure & depression and low-dose hormones for menstrual issues.
Anyone know if any other corticosteroids are "better" than prednisone, or are they all similar in effects?

many thanks for your time

I started Prednisone due to a rash about 10 days ago. I've got a couple days left. It worked great on my rash, but now that I am titrating down from 60mg. I am having sideffects. Anxious, feel like vibrate inside I also get up to urinate 3 to 4 times a night. I've never done that?

Have the sun burn look since day one. But last night I woke with horrable pain in my knee joints. It was terrible. It is gone now. I noticed yesterday my knee joints felt tight or swollen??? Then woke with pain.

I will be glad when this is over. None of the pharmacy information says any of the side effects that everyone one seems to have.

Amber