PredniSONE and stomach problems

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.

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!

After being hospitalized for 10 days back in November, I was finally diagnosed with a fairly rare autoimmune disease. Treatment included 60mg Prednisone daily along with weekly infusions and other meds. I am now down to 20mg daily and dosage for other meds remain at the same levels as in November.

I am uncertain if the following were side effects of Prednisone or because I had lost over 25 pounds and was totally exhausted before going into the hospital.

While I was on the 60mg dosage, however, I was unable to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes. I was extremely forgetful. It was often good for a hearty laught, but sentances and words constantly came out of my mouth backwards or made no sense (like I'd say "Didn't that happen tomorrow?"). I had frequent headaches. I was tired most of the time and slept a l-o-t, but when extremely tired, I'd break down in tears over nothing at all. I developed severe stomach problems, but that was alleviated by taking Nexium twice daily.

Now on the current lower dosage and after gaining back half the weight I had lost, the "side effects" noted above have either disappeared or occur far less frequently and I've not developed any "new" ones, except that my face has besome puffy within the past week or so. My ability to think and concentrate for long periods has greatly improved, but I'm still not as alert and do not react as fast as before I was hospitalized.

Hopefully, these, too, will be back to normal once I'm off all the meds. I'm uncertain just when that is expected to occur but I'm sure that depends on whether I experience any flare-ups or not.

I'm also curious - Does anyone know if any side effects can occur several months or years after Prednisone has been discontinued?

My brother has a nerve disease that affects his legs and feet.
Numbness and severe pain. He has alot of good days though.
As far as the withdrawl symptoms I've experienced are: insomnia, sadness (real bad), tempermental, hands swelling, sweating ( could not tolerate heat or humidity), blurry vision, extreme lack of self-esteem. My hands do not swell anymore, moodiness is better, still have insomnia, weight is coming off slowly and as I talked about before, my stomach problems have finally stopped. I was on pred. 4 yrs. So I feel like I'm doing alot better and so will your son. After reading all the posts when I first found this site, I didn't feel so strange and alone. Of course, everyone is different. Just know he will get rid of the withdrawl. My doctor had me quit cold turkey and that's why I feel I have had such a hard time. Weaning off of it is the right thing to do. I also had horrible headaches which have stopped. Take care.....Keep us posted on your son...........: )

after 9 weeks of being off of pred., I no longer have the stomach problems that haunted me for 4 years. The stomach problems actually stopped about a week of coming off of the pred. At least I can go somewhere in the mornings now without being so sick and afraid to make plans. I was told I would never come off of pred. Miracles do happen!
Just an update. Sadness is getting better. Not as dark and morbid as I was. As they say "time heals all" Don't give up. I'm living proof that time will take care of it. I honestly thought I would never feel better. Got a ways to go. I'll hang in there. : )

keep your son away from high sugar foods and high carbs. Some r ok. See if his severe stomach problems will ease
Sure hope so............

My son is 7 on 60 mg a day and is having mostly the same side effects as you all say, I do see him getting stronger though. But he is have terrible stomach problems, the doctor has prescribed two different ant acid medications and nothing seems to help. He just rolls around screaming in pain. I like the website because I realize that some of his symptoms are normal and not just behavioral.

Thanks

I can tell u some of my symptoms after stopping pred. a month ago. At first I felt like my skin on my face and neck had been thru radiation. I still cannot tolerate the heat. My insomnia is still there. The swelling in my face and the weight gain is rapidly going down. At first I felt like a black cloud was over me all the time. It's not so bad now. Good days and bad days. I lose my temper really quick and then other times I just sit there and think "whatever" It will get better. I've been light headed and very,very tired. Just go with what the day brings. Watch the sugary foods and high carbs, it will cause the stomach problems to flair up. Take it easy. wonderwoman

The stomach problems are a side effect of pred. High sugar content foods and carbs add to the problems. Watch those and u will see a big difference in your stomach problems. I had this side effect so much and it took me a long time to figure out how to fix that one.

I had a kidney/pancreas transplant 4 yrs ago the pancreas failed but the kindey is doing great. I was on prednisone 5mg. every other day. The side effects are mind blowing. Night sweats,swelling,stomach problems like crazy,insomnia,moonface,weight gain,bruising,can't tolerate heat,and every other symptom. I am now, as of June 10th , off of prednisone. Please, can someone tell me what I will be going thru with the withdrawl symptoms. I'm kind of worried
cindy