PredniSONE and weight gain

Hi All - I have been off prednisone for one week and I am not doing as well as I thought I would be at this stage. My symptoms are not flaring, which is a very good thing but I am so tired and feeling very depressed and low energy. I thought I'd feel great once I was off the evil prednisone but so far I am feeling almost as bad as when I was on it. My moon face has not started to go away, which sucks, but I guess I have to be patient. I am so tired of this situation as it feels never ending. Part of the problem is I have continued to work throughout my ordeal, and it's been very hard at times to carry on like a normal person who is not sick. I have been sick since last November (with an autoimmune disorder) and I had really hoped by this time that I'd be on my way to being better :( Prednisone saved my life but the side effects are horrendous, as are the after affects of it. Good luck to all who are taking it. I share your pain and frustration.

hi all. thanks for writing your comments here. it has helped me today, another HORRIBLE day of prednisone hell. i have been seriously ill for 8 months been told ever other week I'm likely going to die from lung disease (i'm 35) and after a painful lung biopsy have been told my lung problems are almost all reversible... after a year on high dose prednisone. i was on 40mg a day for a month a while back and was so out of control from rage and crying and insomnia and panic/suicidality, ravenous appetite, that they lowered me to 30. then after biopsy they said i should be on 100mg to cure me, we settled at 60mg. it's been 24 days. The moon face started about one week in. i've gained 8 lbs. i am an emotional wreck. i have at least one rage filled attack per day where i am screaming and want to kill somebody or destroy something. some days i am so filled with hopelessness and worry i just want to die. my body changes (after just losing 30 lbs and being a work out fanatic my shortness of breath makes it impossible to walk up 2 flights of stairs without resting) face changes, acne, excess body hair (oh my god please make it stop i'm like a chia pet and i'm so afraid it is going to get worse) double chin, puffy eyes and cheeks, absolutely uncontrollable emotions and mood swings, inability to be logical or reasonable. i don't want to leave the house, i'm panicked and scared all the time. i never sleep. ambian gives me minimal relief (just started taking it) i feel like i'm losing everything, except my lung functioning is returning and i'm not going to die from this illness (they assure me THIS week) i understand light at the end of the tunnel, but living like this is unbearable most days, almost impossible the rest of the time. am i alone with the severity of this? or are all the others like me too busy hiding the sharps and crying in a corner to write on this board? thanks for listening :)

figures, forgot to mention what HELPS. no eating after 8 (7pm is better) no salt, no sugar, exercise, even just a walk every day, anything physical, i walk like a grandma on the treadmill but i still do it, sometimes it is the only thing that stops my crying. no alcohol, support and understanding from loved ones, it's not you, its the drugs. good luck.
figures, forgot to mention what HELPS. no eating after 8 (7pm is better) no salt, no sugar, exercise, even just a walk every day, anything physical, i walk like a grandma on the treadmill but i still do it, sometimes it is the only thing that stops my crying. no alcohol, support and understanding from loved ones, it's not you, its the drugs. good luck.

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

PREDNISONE.... a word that is unknown to the naive and despised by the the knowledgeable. Before i begin i want to tell you that prednisone for lack of better word F***ed me up. So heres my story with the pill. About a year ago i was officially diagnosed with Minimal Change Disease, now remember i am eighteen at the time, and was prescribed prednisone to cure the disease. Now being unaware of the severity of the drug and disease i casually continued life while taking 80mg per day of prednisone. Well this was good and all because it did in fact put me in remission, but the side effects were starting go surface. My face ballooned up "moon face", started experiencing random series of depression, became insomniatic, and unfortunately gained several pounds. Well this was not the end of side effects as for me. I continued with the medication and after 6 weeks of 80 mg i began my 5 week course of 60mg. Then after that i started 4 weeks on 40 mg and began tapering 5 mg every 2-3 weeks afterwards. Toward the middle of 60 mg the drug started taking its toll on my body as my skin lost its elasticity so i started getting gruesome strecht marks all over my body. I also became constipated for whatever reason most probably prednisone was at fault. I became very frightened actually terrified so i started to research about the drug in hopes of finding ways to avoid some side effects. In doing my research i found out very disturbing information regarding prednisone. Along with all the side effects that i mentioned above, prednisone also causes cateracts, glacoma, diabetes via insulin resistance, and osteoporosis. Now these i consider as the more severe permanent side effects as the list unfortunately is much longer. Finding out about the side effects i became extremely paranoid and started a very strict diet to hopefully avoid some permenat side effects. I admit reading about the information on prednisone created my paranoia and/or possible phycosis which ultimately led to my stress which led to my severe depression. Now this wasn't any old type of depression, i was sersiouly in need of some help. Everyone around me could tell something was wrong and really i dont blame then for in fact i felt as if my soul had died, the very essence of my being. Now magin if you can someone taking away your youth from you, sucking the very life out of you... thats exactly how i felt. To add along with the depression my grades became a wreck in college as i dropped several classes, lost a friend, developed problems with my parents as they tired to help me, and disrespected family relatives with my uncontrollable mood swings. A few weeks in of dieting and exercising i lost a lot of weight (15-20 pounds). As far as side effects non had changed i still had to deal with all that was mentioned above especially with the fragile skin that was a real burden as i had even a few stretch marks on my face from sleeping on my side. At this point of my long and what seemed to be a never ending journey i become exteremly weak. My body had no energy to run on as i refused to eat and when i did eat it was either foods that are considered free foods or protein nothing else. Everything at this time had been taken away from me including smoking marijuana (marijuana drops blood sugar as this would cause me to start feeling faint and lightheaded), alcohol (same as marijuana drops blood sugar), and the fact that i was not comfortable in my own skin (literally). I was driving myself insane. Everyday i was behind the computer searching for more and more. I was obsessed and became my worst nightmare. Oh by the way half in the medication therapy i showed 1+ grams of protein in my urine which my doctor possibly thought it could have been a relapse. This news i did not take lightly i had lost it and was prepared of comiting suicide. I cant lie, i really did not want to live anymore i just wanted to end this and suicide seemed like a very real and convienent possibility. If it had not been for my parents talking to me giving me a 3 hour speech and lecture i do not know what i would have done. Suicide at that point became out of the question because i could not do this to my family. So i went and purchased urine dip sticks to monitor the protein. The doctor had given me a 2 week window or chance to get back into remission or else he was going to prescribe me cytotoxic agents aka chemo therapy drugs. This was horrible news to me. So as i monitored my protein i found out of a very interesting trend. I noticed that my protein levels in the afternoon were in fact positive for protein and were usually up and down as far as how much but in the mornings i noticed i was always negative. Now this give me a huge bit of hope because when in researching about MCD months earlier i found out that there is a coniditon called orthostatic proteinuria which affects mostly young adolecent males and is a condition described as for some unknown reason there is protein loss in the afternoon when the person is upright and active then when they are supine or laying down the kidneys do not allow any portein loss. This condition is in fact harmless. I was very happy from then news and i told my doctor, he was somewhat doubting, but i don't blame him he is looking out for my best interest, but sure enough after the 2 weeks had past i went in again for my appointment after testing and i was negative for protein as i had expected. We began tapering after that point and i continusouly monitored my own tests at home and eventually i got off the steroid, actually today is that day after a 9 month period of heartache and distress. You know people say that they went to hell and back in a hard moment in life, well i went to hell stayed there for 9 months then came back. I feel so everyone who as ever needed to take steroids for long periods of time, i know its tough but believe it as it is indeed a potent drug and in most cases a miracle drug. It gave me a second chance at life and no matter how hard it was or how much pain it put me through i cannot complain for it did in fact cure me and thats why i can never hold any grudges. So thats my story i kno its not pretty but what can i say it is indeed mine whether i like it or not.

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?

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.

I'm a 22 year old who was diagnosed with dermatologists a couple months ago. I've been on different doses of steroids ranging from 5mg to 60mg for 5 months now. i was on 60mg the longest and just went down to 40mg. i go down to 30 mg next month. so far my side effects are moon face, swollen areas around my neck and collar bone, weight gain like 15 lbs, always have to wake up in the middle of the night and pee, my knees get shooting pains sometimes at night, light hair by my ears like sideburns, tired, helps with my muscle weakness a little, my eyesight seems blurry sometimes, chest always feels tight. I'm also on Methotrexate, Bactrim, folic acid, and Fosamax. it might be a reaction form all these but i think its mainly from the Prednisone. i cant wait to get down to the lower doses. i look like a different person and even tho all my family and friends know its still embarrassing. i fell like a whole different person. i cant wait to be normal 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 am 25 and I have a severe case of Ulcerative Colitis. I have been taking Prednisone for about ten months, about as soon as my little daughter was born I started taking it, and I have gained about fifty pounds. I am so depressed because before I was pregnant I had just lost a whole bunch of weight and was very happy and healthy, and had just gotten married before I became pregnant. Things were going great. Now I don't even want to leave my house because I don't want people to see me. I feel like a balloon. If I am able to stop the medication, will the weight gain stop and will some of the weight I have gained go away on its own or am I going to have to get working on a fitness plan again, because I am still pretty ill and it is difficult for me to work out. Help! I am so frustrated and I don't know what to do.

I agree, for me this is a horrible drug! This is the 2nd time my allergist prescribed it to me (last time was this past summer and I had severe panic attacks and thought I was losing my mind) this resulted in me returning back to my GP and him putting me back on Paxil (which I had been off of for a year). I was extremely reluctant to use this again but thought i might be able to manage it this time (with the help of Paxil).

My allergist prescribed Prednisone to me 2 weeks ago (5mg 3x's day for 3 days then, 2 2x's day then 1 for 5 days) I made up until the last 3 pills. I had severe brain fog and felt like I was floating through space. I couldn't even remember driving to work and parking my car! Extremely fatigued (I have diabetes (which is under control, but I had to keep checking my bg because I thought my sugar was dropping to low). Now, within the last week of taking the Prednisone I have experienced aching in my kidneys and I think I have a kidney infection.

Can Prednisone do this to you??

I am calling the doctor tomorrow. Today is the first day without Prednisone and I feel like I am totally out of it - really spaced out, dizzy, panicky and a bit nausea.

How long does it take for you to get Prednisone out of your system?

Survivors Of Prednisone
Type: Common Interest - Health & Wellness
Description: Many of those with auto-immune diseases such as Crohn's Disease are forced to go on a prescribed steroid known as Prednisone. The effects of Prednisone are terrible. Prednisone creates water retention (puffiness) in your face and torso. It causes severe mood swings. It also causes your hair to fall out. And that is just going on the Prednisone. Once you get off the Prednisone, you then have to deal with the adrenal insufficiency as Prednisone can shut down your adrenal glands.

There seems to be little support for people who have been on Prednisone. They seem to be left alone to deal with the side effects and the confusion and fear that it causes.

This is what this group aims to do:
***
Provide awareness of how Prednisone can and has affected lives.

So if you are feeling down or suffering from crazy mood swings or can't handle looking in the mirror anymore then come and let it all out !

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

After bith my childrens births I have experienced a enigmatic skin disease / disorder which has been unclassified by dermatologists and specialists. First I experienced blisters on my torso, which crusted over and followed with severe urticaria-like wheels all over my body. Doctors placed me on Prednisone 5mg tablets ( 40mg daily) for 4 months, in which time the symptoms subsided , but the side -effects for this Mother was terrible!!! I experienced a 12kg weight-gain, uncontrollable appetite, excessive sweating, dizziness , shortness of breath and extreme hairloss. My skin thinned and OI bruised very quickly. No diagnosis could be made. After the induced -birth of my second child now, I have the same episode and had been placed on Prednisone for the second time just to cope with the swelling.

I am currently in my 7th week of using 10mg - 15mg daily with an anti-histamine. I hate the re-occuring side-effects and am very scared of all the long-term damage. Does anyone have any idea how to boost your own natural immune-defence system while being bombarded witha immuno-suppressant like Prednisone??!!!!

I believe that your own body ws made to heal itself or be healed by natural means... but how and what?? I am desperate, and have been following a anti-candida like diet ( no yeast + sugars + preserved foods) Thus far I have not been able to kick the symptoms. Any help out there would be much appreciated. Have someone experienced the same sort of symptoms???

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

Hi guys,

I have written several replies to people on the side effects of Prednisone.

Mainly I have dealt with how long it takes for your body to go back to normal after being on it. This is because i was on it for ten years and have been off it for three and have dealt with side effects and adrenal insufficiency.

I am trying to create awareness for what people go through on Prednisone and also trying to create some support for people out there.

So I have recently created a group on Facebook called Survivors of Prednisone. For those of you who are on Facebook you might be interested enough to have a look and maybe find other people who you can share things with and know that you are not alone. Also I can answer questions if you want to ask me things.

good luck and hope to see you there,

Anne

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 prescribed 42 pills (20 days) of 10 mg Prednisone which I am to take beginning with 4 pills for four days and steadily decreasing every four days down to four 1/2 pill the last four days. I took my first dose yesterday and was told to drink lots of water. I do not wish to gain weight nor have a moon face. My doctor does not feel this will affect me in that way, but may have water retention (swelling). I am 73, and this regiment of Prednisone was prescribed to decrease inflammation due to a possible siatic nerve problem, which is causing extreme pain in my left leg. The pain is excruciating when I get up in the morning but eases down by mid morning with some pain all day and some nights if I move just the wrong way.Does anyone have a suggestion for the best foods to eat and what to avoid? I read that grapefruit juice may be beneficial.

In June I found out I had actue renal failure. One of the many medications I was given was prednisone. After a few weeks I grew so weak, tired and in a lot of pain. I even had to take a medical leave from work(4 months).
I was told to expect the moon face, hunchback, the acne..However, my sypmptoms worsened to point I didn't want to eat(lost 30 lbs) could hardly move and had to be hospitalized(almost went on dialysis). They flushed me out for a week at the hospital and avoided dialysis.
Once out of the hospital I proceeded to keep the weight off, but the side effects just mounted. I had thrush in the mouth(the worst feeling), sleeplessness, I had every side effect listed and I mean all with the exception of hallucinations and depression. The miracle was that what I was expecting weight gain, moon face did not happen.
Around September my doctor started weaning me off prednisone b/c I told him I cant take it anymore. Wouldn't you know it the minute I started getting weaned off the medication I got the moon face and acne. I cant beleive how much acne I have and the moon face and extra chin that came along with it are not cute. In 3 days I gained 10lbs and feel like I'm gainiing everyday. This might bring on the depression that has yet to occur. Why is this happening now that I'm being weaned. I started at 80mg a day and now I'm down to 30mg and next week down to 20mg.
I know this drug did its job and I pray that I dont have to be on it at all once the weaning process is over, but this is hell. I really feel doctors should tell you everything that you can expect. I didnt know enough about this drug(I know there is the internet I should have used it) and had I known then what I know now I seriously might have asked for some alternatives. This drug may be a miracle in the medical community, but for those of us who have to take it, its hell. Does anyone know how long it will take for the moon face, acne, and weight gain to go away?

My husband was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that was attacking his shoulders, hips and knees, last February. The cause was unknown, perhaps a drug reaction to Amitriptylene, perhaps PMR, they still don't know. The doctors put him on prednisone. 15 mgs seemed to control the symptoms and he started to feel better right away. Weeks went by and he occasionally said, I seem to be losing weight. Then it was, I've lost 10 pounds. Next month it was five more. And he started getting weak. His muscles were just weakening and atrophying. He was thin to begin with and by September he had lost 26 pounds. He no longer had the strength to work and was put on temporary disability. We felt it was the prednisone because it all started happening together and we convinced the doctors to let him try to taper off of it. They put him on plaquenil and Immuran and let that build up in his system before they would let him begin to taper off the prednisone. He is finally off prednisone completely and he has finally started to gain a little weight back and feel a little stronger. The hardest part was convincing the doubting doctors. They all said, Oh no, prednisone makes people gain weight. Yet there he was standing in front of them. He certainly hadn't gained weight. But if a side effect is "typical" then they seem to insist that you have the typical side effects or you must be making it up. Of course, they could see he wasn't making up the weight loss, so they did a million tests looking for some other cause; cancer, etc. All were negative. He did go to the Mayo clinic who ran a bunch more tests and they did find one interesting thing: a super low testosterone level. They felt this might explain the muscle loss and weakness. So they started giving him testosterone. However, I say, which is the cause and which is the effect. He didn't have this low testosterone before he started taking the prednisone. That awful stuff messes with all kinds of things in your body--basic things like the hormone balances. When we got down to 2 mg per day we stopped cold turkey. Things are better now. It appears that he still has the underlying auto immune problem because the pain is coming back in his hips and shoulders. But he will not go back on prednisone for anything. That stuff was killing him.

I am a 34 year old male. I have been on 80mg of Prednisone 7 days a week for 2 months now. I will be getting my dosage lowered to 60mg tomorrow but am having a difficult time dealing with the Moon face, eye bags, acne, and sleepless nights. I go to the gym 4 times a week and am in shape other than this freak fake head it looks like I have now. Has anyone been able to find a way to make the effects not so noticable..as in diurex or diet pills. I would like to try anything but want to be safe at the same time. Thanks for any help and god bless. David

I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in June and had to take 60mg/day for about a month. Then my doctor tapered me off it so I took 40mg/day for a week, then 30 for a week, then 20, then 10. I stopped taking Prednisone altogether about three weeks ago but have noticed little change in my weight. I gained 17 pounds over the two months I was taking Prednisone and my doctor said it should 'melt away' quickly but it has yet to do so. I've lost a little of the moon-face so that's good but the extra weight is driving me crazy and nothing I do seems to help me lose it. Anyone hava any idea how long it will take to get back to normal?

I have had a severe case of polymyalgia rheumatica and was initially put on 60 mg of prednisone a day. It was wonderful! Within hours my pain level dropped almost in half. From there the pain has gradually improved even more. I went to 40 mg per day to 20 mg per day to 15 mg per day. Have been on the 15 mg for 2 months now and want off as soon as possible. Yes, I too have the moon face, camel hump, slight weight gain, nausea, digestive problems, cramps, depression, etc. Not fun! My question is - does anyone experience burning/stinging in their face, arms and legs from the prednisone? I wonder if it is the polymyalgia rheumatica or if this is a side effect from the steroid. Thanks for your comments.

Prednisone is a catabolic steroid, not anabolic which increases muscle, so people should know that continued use over time will literally break down and destroy muscle tissue. Without muscle, a person has no way of even standing more than a few seconds and could suffer many falls.....these falls are worse on the prednisone patient because prednisone also effects bone density and multiple disc fractures can result, leaving the person wheelchair bound.

How do I know? That's what happened to my mom. Also, if you are in a nursing home and contact scabies, forget about ever getting rid of them prednisone supresses the immune system so it can't kill them off, even with all the meds and treatments out there for scabies. Again, my mom.

I am a 19-year-old female pre-med student who has been taking this nasty drug for exacly 1 year now.... The amount I am on continues to change, for my disease keeps returning and leaving remission. I finally get down to 10mg from 40mg, and have to go back up when symptoms return!!! This is SO discouraging. The worst part is, no one understands the physical and emotional agony this drug brings on. I'm 19 and feel like I'm 90. My body aches, my weight is constantly fluctuating, I bruise from simply being poked (being a clumsy person, I look like I am beat!!), my bones feel as if they are about to break, and I am SEVERELY despressed. Being in college and taking rigorous classes, this is just too much for me to handle anymore... My 5-year relationship with the love of my life/best friend is falling apart because of my horrible mood swings.. don't blame him for leaving. I feel as if this drug has ruined my life more than the disease itself...Does ANYONE know if one's body and mind returns to "normal" after FINALLY being off this drug??? I pray to God the answer is yes... I would appreciate someone's reply and/or insight, because my Dr. fails to tell me about ANY side effects until I mention something. PLEASE REPLY!!!

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.

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 am a 39 year old woman who was on prednisone for 14 years as a regular med. for asthma. From the time I was 14 months until I was almost 15. I stopped taking it on my own when I was 14. I over heard the doctor tell my mother they wanted to start weening me off it because I would probably be sterile. But, it would take 6 months to ween me off. So I did it myself.I spent my entire 8th grade year in the hospital. After not taking it for awhile, my asthma actually improved and I also was able to go off the other med.I was on and now only have an inhaler when I need it.
I have the moon face, I was lucky and didn't get the barrel chest. But the lasting side effects are still there. I rarely sleep, I am still have nervesness. But the big one. I am now a Type 1 brittle diabetic and must wear an insulin pump. I go to the doctor an average of once to twice a week. I have more doctors than I know what to do with. I have had to have surgery done to my heart because of a murmur.
The doctors feel that the diabetes is from prolonged use of this med. and that it destroyed my pancreas. All it took was a cortizone shot and I went from nothing to this. I do have 2 children, I had them very young and I mean young. 23 & 21 years ago.I am sterile and never have been able to have more children.
I have had almost every side effect listed. Nausea, weight gain, insomnia, bloating, etc...
Taking myself off this med. like I did. Almost killed me...I don't remember my childhood other than living in the hospital and that was my childhood. I hated this med. I remembered everything and everyway it made me feel. I will not allow my family to use this when it is prescribed for them.

My mom has been on predisone off and on for the last 19 years. First for asthma for 5 years weight gain of 100 pounds. then got off of it by going to national jewish hospital in Denver. Still put on it over the years Now the last year has been diagnosed with sjogrens syndrome and put on predisone as well as methotrexate injections. They started coming down and she had some heart trouble so back up and she kept telling drs her chest hurt all the way to her back this went on for 6 months 6 times in hospital and ER they kept saying it was her heart and rib cage. Well finally 10 days ago finally took a back exray and she had three fractures in her spine. So she has had a broken back for the last 6 months which was caused by the predisone. Had surgery 4 days ago but is now in nursing home for a while and the sjogrens is showing up in her lungs and was told this week that the treatment is predisone. She has so many things wrong that I now feel like the predisone has probably caused most of her health problems. Predisone should never be used for long term use it is to dangerous and so very painful.

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

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

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

I am a 25 year old female who has been on and off prednisone for 5 years for ulcerative colitis. The first time I was on it, I was taking 30 mg for about three months and then tapered down 5 mg a week until I was done. I have always been super thin and athletic and I gained about 20 lbs in 2 months. My face used to be very defined, but I lost my cheek bones and my chin. This is what they call moonface I guess. And I wanted to eat all the time, even when I was full. I had never had bad acne before either, but I had breakouts constantly. I also had more hair growth in places hair shouldn't grow like on my chin and my nipples. I got stretch marks all over my hips and stomach area because the prednisone apparently makes your dermis lose elasticity and that was combined with the weight gain. I also became very moody and depressed and part of it was because my physical appearance had drastically changed. The next few times I was on the pred, same amount, I learned from my mistakes and exercised constantly, watched my diet and drank more water. It helped but it's hard to fight the hunger pangs and you still get moody. If you can, try to use something other than pred. In my opinion, it's poison. I'm now off it for good and I'm taking another immunosuppresant called azothioprine and so far so good. Good bye prednisone...forever!

Was on Prednisone 2 years ago for respiratory problems 30mg. Gained 25 pounds, fat face, felt tired, etc.

However 2 years later, after weaning off Prednisone my muscles ache, joints are most always stiff, esp. hands plus my feet feel numb and my short term memory has not returned to normal----does any one else out there have similar problems. What can be done?

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 a 23 year old female who was prescribed 10mg of prednisone for fluid and retraction of the ear (I have had chronic ear infections since I was young). I had pretty standard side effects while using the medication; increased appetite (but no weight gain yet - phew!) and thrist, loss of sleep, mild moodiness, etc. I was told to take 6 pills the first day, then 5, 4, and so on till done. On the 6th day (when I had 1 pill left) I woke up with a horrible sore neck and have had it now for 5 days. It has not really subsided much at all yet and is very uncomfortable. To make matters even more annoying, the problem I have with my ear hasn't improved at all. So basically I was prescriped these stupid pills for nothing. I feel fortunate after reading the other stories that I only had this one problem, but it still sucks that the doctor never warned me about muscle pains and none of the websites I came across (until this one) mentioned anything about it.

I've be on this for 2 yrs now~i have asthma~without this drug~i'd be dead for sure~it does help~that and the nubuilzer~.I also have bad sinus problems~i just wish i could get off of it~i'm on a small dose~of 15mg now..whenever i try to get off of it completely~i have a serious asthma attack ~and the cycle continues again~it's no joke ~takes me at least a week to breathe right~and i still need the nubulizer and inhaler~~prednisone affects,eyesight,mood,weight gain,,and who knows what else~oh~and do your self a favor~don't drink coffee when on it~you get the shakes.Love it or hate it~~it is my life line until they find something with less side effects...

I have been taking prednisone for over two weeks for a severe photo-allergic reaction caused by another medication. Today was my very last pill and I am thrilled to be off the medication. At first, I was really happy and relieved that the prednisone worked so well on my allergic reaction, but now I am more worried about the side effects of the prednisone. I have experienced severe sleep loss, edema and weight gain. I am hot all the time and sweat like there is no tomorrow. I am worried sick that the medication has further thrashed my immune system too.

I have now been on prednisone for 3 weeks (3/9/07 to Present) and I weight 103 so I havent notice the weight gain yet but I do eat a lot now and I am never full. I go back to the doctor next Friday so I will find out if I have gained any weight. A major problem I am having is I cant sleep at night I have so much energy now. My face is shaping into a moonface. I take two pills a day at 20 mg (40 mg together). Also, my mood is changing I get mad really easy now.

I began taking prednisone in nov06 for TA. I started at 70mg daily. Side effect were minimal (moon face, problems sleeping, muscle weakness..) untill Feb07 when the weight gain averaged 2lb a day!!! and I had already began to wean off it. I started my own reduction plan because the Dr only had me going down 5mg every other week. I am on 5mg this week, 2.5 mg next week and I'm done, I hope I start to have more energy soon. I hope I never have to take this crap again! I am on methotrexate to replace the pred.
Good Luck to all!

I have been on Prednisone for 27 years for Addison Disease. If you take more prednisone than needed for you system you will get the moon face, weight gain and even the shakes. My immune system is very low due to the medications, my legs cramp and make is very hard to sleep. I have found that after taking prednisone for so long, it will start to deteriate your muscles, blood vessels, bones and teeth. At this point I have no choice but to take this medicaiton as it keeps me alive. By the way, if you are on Prednisone too long your Adrenial glands will stop producing the steriods that your body needs. This medication is very hash. Please advise if any one else has Addison's disease and are taking medication other than prednisone for the illness. I feel for anyone that has to be on this medication.

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

I am a kidney transplant patient. I have been on prednisone for two years. I immediately noticed a lot of weight gain because of extreme hunger. My atitude is out of control. I am very aggressive at times and other times I am very emotional. I definitely feel this stuff plays mind games on you. I have also developed diabetes 2, a lot of muscle ached and knee and joint pains. Has anyone else had these problems?

I was just diagnosed with Crohns 7 days ago. They started me on 125 mg of Prednisone for 2 days over IV and now 60 mg a day. So 20 mg 3 times daily. I'm severely tired but I think that is just from being in the hospital for 2 weeks and not being able to sleep and I am just now getting home. The main problem is after I started the steroid I have all this white stuff in my mouth. Like the plaque you get on your tongue but it is all over my tonsils, cheeks, back of my throat and my mouth feels really raw. I cant eat because everything burns. The GI siad to gargle with mouth wash but nothing is working. Is the thrush from the high dose of steroids? or because now I have no immune system so I have a yeast infection in my mouth??? Any help would be great. Has anyone notice rapid weight gain with in the first couple of days of being on th ehigh dose????

I have been on prednisone for just over a week at 40 mg for Crohn's Disease. I have been experiencing constant body tremors, exhaustion, restlessness, the inability to focus, depression to the point of being suidical, mood swings, muscle aches and pains, extra stomach pain (not from the Crohn's), as well as the usual side effects, like enlarged appetite. I am only 16, and when I was 10 or so, I was on Prednisone at 60 mg a day for about 6 months with out these side effects. When I was younger, I only experienced the "moon-face", "buffalo-hump" (a small lump that often forms on the back of the neck), extreme weight gain (50 pounds in a month or two), and extreme stretch marks.

I am 21 years old and have been on prednisone off and on for about 2 years. I have went from 60Mg to about 20mg for about 6 months. My knees hurt badly when I squat for about 5 minnutes and stand up. I also have been having trouble focussing on things. I was also wondering if anyone has heard of any long term effects like say 10 years later.

The moon face and weight gain did not occur until week 4. But I started really drinking a lot of water - at least 100-120oz daily. This helped the moon face considerably, as well as start me on losing some of the extra weight. Be careful of sodium in the diet - that is the reason for the bloating. So - tons of water (try to get it in early in the day, that way you are not rushing to fit in all that water close to bedtime) and working out four times a week helps with the moon face and bloating. But I still can't get rid of obsessive thoughts - such as cleaning my house or finding a good price on lemons. I hope that goes away when I am off the Pred.

i was on predisone twice within the last six months because of a flare with chrons disease. i got really sick and was put on 40mg of prednisone twice a day. it made me feel much better, but the side effects sucked.

i had extreme moodiness and overreact to everything. i found myself constantly crying over nothing and got depressed very easily. i had alot of trouble sleeping, got really bad leg cramps. my appitite was insane. im constantly hungry and just feel like i need to eat and eat. i gained 15 pounds both times i was on it. my face gets so puffy. the fat that i gained is in my stomach and a weird texture. i also gained weight in my legs and have strech marks at the top. it took me about 3 months to get back to my normal weight. and then i got sick again and am currently dealing with it all again.

i hate predisone and to anyone going on it i recomend caring ALOT about what you eat because gaining that much weight sucks. also drink alot of water.

drinking water after you go off prednisone is supposed to drain your system of it and make the side effects go away quicker.

I first had prednisone for bronchitis, along with antibiotics. they seemed to cure the coughing at least for a while but I started to gain weight.I figured it was a coincidence and just let it go.
The bronchitis came back, and worried that it may be heart failure, I saw my Cardiologist who told me taht i was OK from that angle!!
I started cardiac rehab after my last heart procedure. ( a couple of stents) and coincidentally the bronchitis came back.
Same prednisone scrip but his time the weight gain was very noticeable. Ten pounds in one week!
I was stopped on the excercise machine because my face and neck was beet red after 15 mins of light excercise. Apparently the other patients were getting worried just watching me.
As the pred regimen came to its end, after 12 days, I lost 6 of the ten pounds in 3 days. thats where I am now.

I have been taking prednisone for dermatomyositis for the past 4 months. I am on 30 mg a day. When I try to taper, my rash and muscle pain/weakness come back so we are trying 1mg lower every 5 days now to see what happens. Other than thirst and a rapid heartbeat if I drink cafeine during the day.....no side effects at all. I have not gained weight (but I have been on weight watchers 5 years and have maintaned my goal weight through that and as much as exericise as my disease allows) nor have I had gotten the moon face, etc. However, my best friend who is on only 20mg daily for the past 12 months is now diabetic, gained 45 pounds, got the moon face and rash. I would not know if I had the rash or not as my DM causes a very nasty rash. I know this medication has many horrible side effects and can be devastating ... but without it I would not be swollowing, teaching my special ed classes daily, hugging my grandchildren, or taking care of my own needs right now. I am 54.
cheryl

I have been put on prednisone for a nephrotic disease that I developed a few years ago. I am now in my third relapse of the condition. I did notice weight gain and insatiable appetite during my first two rounds of pred (6 and 10 months respectively). Maybe even the moodiness and a foogy brain I call "pred head".
Today I was perscribed another round of pred. This time for a year. I don't know if I'm going to do it. It's like a rollercoaster ride, once you're strapped in you can't get off til the end. I hate my disease, but I think I hate the prednisone even more. I don't know what to do.
This is a very good website. I was glad to start the pred again, forgetting all that comes along with it. I just want to get better. I'm tired of this.