Steroids, corticosteroids, prednisone.*
Do these words strike terror in your heart? Or are you grateful beyond measure for their existence? Both? Then chances are you, or someone you love, has a chronic illness that is reversed or relieved by steroids.
I have been on and off steroids, prednisone, all my adult life.
Ever since my mid-twenties I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with that medication.
Steroids are miracle drugs. A synthetic compound that mimics the hormone excreted by the adrenal glands, they rev up the nervous system, reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Short term use, for five days to a week, is not usually a problem. The problem is with longer term use, when they are as toxic as they are beneficial. In her article Steroids’ Miracle Comes With a Caveat, Jane E. Brody, wrote:
“…as with any powerful remedy, corticosteroids come with a downside: side effects that can sometimes be as serious as the ailments they are intended to treat.”
No joke.
The Down Side of Prednisone
The doctor who first put me on prednisone neglected to tell me about the down side of the drug. My father, also a physician, didn’t warn me either. I’m still mad at both of them for this lapse in judgment (which is inconvenient because they are both dead). All they had to do was tell me:
You need this drug to keep your kidneys functioning well. You are on a high dose but we intend to taper you off after a few months, slowly, to reduce risk of a relapse and complications. In the meantime look out for:
- insomnia
- agitation
- hyper, even manic mood
- depression
- irritability
- increased appetite
- weight gain
In other words, expect to be a coo-coo-bird nut-case.
I thought I was losing my mind – Prednisone
Totally oblivious, I went back to college where I lived alone in a little studio apartment (which sounds a lot cuter than it really was). On my first night I had a serious case of the heebee geebees. I felt like someone had injected a double espresso laced with Red Bull right into my bloodstream. By morning a million bugs were trying to worm their way into every pore of my skin. I seriously thought I was losing my mind. Frantic, I called my doctor who nonchalantly (God, I’m so mad) said, “Oh, that’s the prednisone. Relax, it will get better. Don’t change the dose, whatever you do.”
That was my first experience with prednisone and I’ve hated it and loved it ever since.
Without prednisone, many of us would be crippled, in agony, suffocating or dead. I’ve been able to live a functional life because of steroids but I’ve suffered from them, too.
But there were many times my body became dependent on the steroid, which meant every time my doctor (whom I adore with all my heart) tried to get me off, my kidneys would relapse. That meant I was on prednisone for years at a time. Brody wrote:
“Steroids taken orally for more than three months can have more profound and sometimes irreversible effects. Serious side effects are more likely when steroids are taken in high doses for a year or longer.”
And what are those serious side effects?
high blood pressure
deteriorating bone mass
diabetes
thinning skin
muscle weakness
Fat deposits on the face (moon face), stomach, chest and upper back
cataracts
glaucoma
ulcers
heartburn
easy bruising
increased sweating
acne
heart disease
delayed wound healing
increased risk of infection (immunosuppression)
And all this is in addition to the first list (see above)!!!
Many of us take medications to treat the side effects of the prednisone. Ambien to sleep, a hypertensive for blood pressure, medications to boost the immune system, Prilosec for the heartburn, calcium and iron supplements to reduce bone reduction. We need to test our bone density, eye pressure, skin integrity often to make sure they are not breaking down. We avoid salt, coffee, any stimulant, alcohol or activities that risk injury.
One thing Brody does not address in her article is the stress this drug puts on the self-esteem of the individual and the well-being of their relationships. Of all the side effects, the ones that got to me most were the psychological ones. Many times I had to apologize to my husband and
kids because of prednisone fueled fire-breathing tantrums. I hated not recognizing myself, physically or emotionally.
If you love someone who is taking steroids
If you love someone who is taking steroids try to understand everything you can about this drug and its effects on your loved one. I asked my husband how he would advise people married to someone taking prednisone long term. He said, “Provide a wide berth and tread lightly”. Doesn’t sound good, but there you go. If both of you can grasp the psychic pressure of being on a drug that basically keeps your nervous system on high alert without let up, distorts your features and weakens your body, hopefully you can provide a cushion of patience for yourself and each other.
It’s a long story I won’t bore you with now (I’ll save it for later) but eventually I got off the steroids, and have been blessedly off for over two years now. [Update: I had two more serious relapses since this blog post was first published.] Compassion for my fellow chronic illness wranglers who have to take this wonderful/horrible drug is infinite.
If you are on high doses of prednisone, getting off it would be dangerous (unless guided closely by the prescribing physician) but maybe you could talk to your doctor about possible alternatives, even experimental options. Try to get the dosage down as low as possible. Take care to check yourself physically as needed and if you are having trouble coping, talk with a counselor who understands.
There is so much to say on this topic. This article is for all of you out there on prednisone or any other powerful medication that would just as soon knock you down as heal you. Those on chemotherapy know. I was on chemo once but personally my worst experience with prescribed drugs was with prednisone so that’s why I focused on it here. Still I imagine there are similarities in our experiences. I would love to hear from you all. Please leave a comment and share your story.
Related posts about Prednisone & Chronic Illness
*Corticosteroids, of which prednisone is the common trade name, are not to be confused with anabolic steroids used by some very stupid athletes inadvisedly.
Photo by Tim Marshall
Indeed, diabetes can be a side effect of using steroids.
Sam Nisbett
When I was on steroids I had to be tested for all the potential side effects every few months or so. Thank God I was lucky enough to avoid the ones I feared the most, diabetes and bone deterioration.
You are doing amazing work! Thanks for sharing your wonderful post . Prednisone takes away the extreme pain of my gout in my big toes and wrist. I found Prednisone on “Predget24” (thanks to Google). So It is the only drug that works ❤️. I’ve been taking uloric gout medication daily for 8 years, but I still get the occasional flare up. That’s when I take prednisone for 3 days. The pain is 80% gone after the first of 3 daily doses.
How long does the pain stay gone?
I’m sorry I can’t answer this question. I hope you’ve discussed this with your doctor.
I wondered how you managed to eventually got off Prednisone i have been trying for about 5 years I do come off it but after a few days I am in great pain and I get put on 5mg which seems to be a comfortable level for my bidy
All I want is to get off it. Every time I try I find I can’t walk or even stand. I have moon face, diabetes, Buffalo hump, and mass amounts of weight gain with high triglycerides. I begged my doctors to find something else to ease the pain so I can be free of this drug. I even went to pain program but now I’m labeled as an addict even though I was never on narcotics so when I have a massive flare up and I end up somewhere where they don’t know me they think I’m just looking for drugs.
I’m sorry you have in so much pain. It sounds like you’ve gotten second and third opinions from your doctors regarding the pain you are in and treating it with prednisone. I hope that at least the prednisone works to stave off the pain.
I take Gapapenten for fibromyalgia pain.
I have now been on prednisone for six years and yes I am one of those people that would probably not be here without it..your article is the best I have read to describe the use of this drug from the benefits to the side effects…I have been on 100 mgs per day down to 12 mgs. per day..I have been fortunate not to have any of the terrible side effects that some persons experience. Thanks for all the great information on your site..everything I read it makes me feel like someone really understands.. 🙂
Hi, Kim! Thanks so much for your comment! I am so glad you have not had the worst side effects of being on prednisone. I wish I could say the same :-/ At this time my dose is going down so I do feel more calm, more in control, a very good thing. Now to lose all the extra weight I put on…
I just got on this prednisioe I stated to hear music and the music was calling my Name and I keep getting dizzy
Donald, I hope you talked with your doctor about the auditory hallucinations and dizziness. Both can be side effects of the prednisone, for sure.
Great post. I have Auro Immune Hemolytic Anemia and are taking 85 mg a day of this magic P drug. I have almost every side effect except for hives and the round face. Double edged sword – it saved my life but its very hard on the body. I was on it 3 years ago for 7 months and now i am on it for at least another 5-6. If i dont take it, my heoglobin level drops below 60 and i go blind, cant catch my breath and lose use of my right side of my body including the ability to go the bathroom and keep my kidneys and liver working. So you are correct….the side effects are brutal. But staying alive for my wife and kids is critical as well.
I have ecloi in my lungs that will never go away. It lays dormant and flares up. I have been in the hospital 4 times since Christmas Day getting antibiotics by IV and several test.when I try to cut back on the prednisone from 20 to 10 I can’t breathe good and have to go back up. I have to walk with a cane now or I will fall. Top of my feet doesn’t move good. Feels like I have 1000lb weights dragging them. My fingers tips are cold and get numb. My feel feel like they have pins in them. Like they are asleep trying to get the feeling back in them. No.upper body strength. I have to use both hands to pick myself off the toilet. I didn’t feel like this until I left the hospital the 1st time on New Year’s Day. Yesterday my lung doctor put me on 2 different antibiotics and up my prednisone from.20mg per day to.40mg for 5 days then back down to 20mg along with breathing treatments every 6 hours. My moon face and buffalo hump I had hoped would start going down since I was on 20mg but not now having to go.up to 40mg. My doctors are doing this to help keep.me away from the hospital due to the virus and I sure don’t need that on top of everything else I have. I was tested for it back in March when I was in the hospital for 17days. I didn’t have it then and my doctor keeps check now so far I don’t have it. I.just want to be able to walk without a cane and breath so I can play with my precious grandbabies
hi my name is rocky, i have just had knee surgery, but in last month both knees r killing me, i dont take pain killers, so my friend suggested prednizone, i know can not live with out it,?
Please consult with your doctor. They should be able to help you manage your pain or if they can’t, refer you to the right professional to consult with.
I feel terrific on prednisone. I feel clear headed; no pains; not depressed; energetic and interested in things. I am wondering if my body makes cortisol at all? Is there any “natural” supplement/ hormone that would do the same for me without the side effects? I just tapered from 5 mg a day to 4 mg and I started to feel the difference right away. I am very tired and the joint and back pains are back.
Lowering by 1mg made this difference!! Thanks for any guidance. BJ
Weaning off Prednisone once you get down to 15 or 10 and lower is very tricky. It must be done very slowly in small. amounts as your body starts working at producing its own cortisol again. If you hurry the weaning and your body isn’t ready you can have an adrenal crisis and go into shock. The tortoise really wins this race.
Indeed, being patient and following the dosage prescribed by your doctor is essential. Both can be a big challenge for some of us. It helped me a great deal to have a very good, trusting relationship with my doctor.
So interesting to read this article. Iv only just started steroids after suffering for yrs with left arm pain which also causes changes to the colour swells and things drop out my hand been under every department you can think of to only end up being passed on to someone else as their at a loss to what is wrong. Now under a neurologist and hes saying it’s inflammation of the valve in my head and the damage to my arm is permanent. Took 60mg of the steroid last night and 60 today and feel amazing for the first time in yrs!!!. But haha after reading all your sides affect my bubble is bursting haha my question is. Does it not clear up the inflamation and make us better or does it only deal with the inflamation while we’re taking it?? Confused!! Thanks for reading my message it’s appreciated.
Hi, Gillian, This is a great question and one for your doctor. They are the only ones who can say whether your situation will require a short blast and taper or a longer term prescription. Different conditions require a huge range of different dosages and regimens. I’m glad you are feeling better. That’s the thing with prednisone, it’s an anti-inflammatory miracle drug. However, it comes with those pesky side-effects.
I was taking prednisone 10mg twice a day for the first week then one tablet until finished
30 days now I’m feeling horrible eye sight is blurry and my body feels like it is literally burning I have indigestion which is making my gerd act up I’m tired all the time and nauseated legs are weak when I walk help when will I feel normal again
Oh my goodness, this all sounds way too familiar. Check in with your doctor. If you are completely off the prednisone, and these symptoms are, indeed, side-effects of the prednisone, and you are not taking another medication that may be causing these symptoms, well it does sound like side-effects of the prednisone. Sometimes it takes a long time after finishing the prednisone to stop feeling the side effects because of how it lingers in your body.
I was on Prednisone for many years. First off & on, with 20mg pills for a week or two, then I’d get better, then a couple months later > I’d be back at the Dr for more P. About 5-7 years ago, I was put on Predisone consistently – – starting at 50mg for a couple weeks, then 40, then 30 etc (sometimes I’d have to go back up). Eventually I held pretty steady at 5mg – for several years. I’d have the same issue, when I’d try to go down to 4mg, I’d get symptoms returning. After several tries, I was able to stay at 4mg…. and eventually 3mg! Then new Dr asked me to stop P. I decided to wean myself down (instead) and after 5-6 weeks I was off. Symptoms started returning, then miraculously disappeared (during the Covid lockdown)! That lasted for about 2 months, then symptoms started back up. I’m currently scheduled for a bronchoscopy – – so hoping they find some pixie dust in there, which they can remove… so I can live happily ever after! (hey a girl can dream, right). Anyway, my diagnosis was a type of bronchietisis … and the predisone was instrumental in suppressing my cough. As I’ve told many people, who were concerned about the P… “Breathing is good!” Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you – to not give up in trying to reduce the amount of P you’re taking – – it took me several tries, before it worked out. Good luck!
Hi, SG, Congratulations on getting off the prednisone. It looks like you took a very slow and careful path to do so. I just want to caution everyone about making any changes in your prednisone dosage without consulting with your medical professional. Please be careful about that even though I understand the frustration of waiting for a call back from your doctor or physician’s assistance or nurse practitioner. Yes, “Breathing Is Good!”. (Someone should make t-shirts.) I hope they find that pixie dust!
I am currently on 20 mg of Prednisone – I have Ulcerative Colitis/Crohns and recently had a bad flare that ended me up in the hospital for a week while out-of-town. In the hospital I was on 40 mg and they had me decrease the dose to 30 after a week and then to 20 mg. I finally got back home and in to my GI who said I was decreasing too quickly and wanted me back on 30 mg which brought on a crying spell. He agreed to allow me to stay on 20 mg as long as I keep making progress and stick to other medication and probiotic regimen. I’ve had this disease for 30 plus years. In college I was on steroids for the first time and experienced the moon face and facial hair much to my surprise. I haven’t had problems that require steroid use for over ten years. I had forgotten how horrible I felt on Prednisone. I experience every side effect, but the emotional roller coaster and lack of sleep have been the worst. I have NO FILTER – I say whatever I’m feeling when I get angry or upset and cry at the drop of the hat. I hate this for my family. I am cleaning house like a crazy woman which my husband interprets as, “You’re not sick – you can’t sit still!” Oh, how I want to sit still! I only sleep 3-5 hours a night. My muscle mass has turned to mush and I have a belly on me when I’ve always had a fairly flat stomach. Add to this the fat face and I am just feeling pretty much blah about myself. But, the steroids are turning around my colitis. Such a great drug for the good it does while it wreaks havoc on the rest of my entire life. I pray I don’t get diabetes or glaucoma/cataracts – that’s my biggest fear. I do eat all the time. I don’t crave sweets, but am limited to a low fiber/low-residue diet which doesn’t leave a lot of options – no fresh vegetables/fruit, no milk products, nuts, seeds, caffeine, carbonation. I’m getting rather bored with the same foods. Thanks for providing a place for me to rant. It’s almost 5 a.m. and I’ve been up since 3! Almost time to start making breakfast for my family and get my daughter off to school – more cleaning out of closets!!!!
I feel for you I’ve had Crohn’s now for 50 years I’ve been on Prednisone as I as a hundred milligrams a day as low as 5 mg unfortunately 20 mg speed a magic number where I need to stay I’ve had two hip replacements fortunately nothing else I wish you luck with yours,
Dominicsimonelli
Oh for a good NIGHT’s sleep. Steroids Prednisone 5 mg per day for 2 years 5 months. Also Atrial Fibrilation with blood thinners and beta blocker. Night after night of dreams. Tossing and turning awake for up to two hours in the early morning Age 85
I have colitis or Proctitis and got put on 60 milligrams. The first day I felt nothing. Now on the second day I feel the best I ever felt in years it’s like I’m floating on a cloud. This has to be dangerous, but wow I cant believe a non opiate can take this much pain away plus make you feel absolutely like your in heaven.
Hi, Frank, I’m wondering how you are doing now? Prednisone is a miracle drug. How it reduces inflammation is wonderful. Hopefully, the dose has gone down and you are still feeling good.
I have Crohn’s as well and just had a nasty flare after being on no meds for 7 years. I almost thought it was gone. I am now 60, it started at age 27. I feel for you and wanted to provide an answer that might help for your sleeplessness. Cannabis!! (Not marijuana, that name was invented by government etc. and is a racist term, see below.) It is the true miracle herb. I am in Canada so it is legal, but before it was I got a prescription from a doctor for it. Then I could order it from licensed producers. The best thing about it – no side effects of any concern – except the giggles, and a bit of munchies, and making yourself a better person. That’s how you feel when you take it, like you are a better person. I don’t even think I ever gained weight from the munchies as it somehow avoids this. And the sleep, the best sleep you will ever have – like sleeping on a cloud. You wake up refreshed too. No sleeping pills for me. I try my best to not take any drugs at all – there is a reason 160,000 people per year in the US alone die from pharmaceutical drugs prescribed by their doctors. This is info available online. This is indeed a tragedy.
I recently had a bad flare, as mentioned above, and had to take a 10-week prednisone dose. I also had to go to the ER and was there 3 days. They gave me morphine for the Crohn’s pain, which, as you know, is akin to giving birth, but worse. It did not do much. I was so happy when I got home to my cannabis (by vape) as the moment I took it, the pain went away. It was SO MUCH better than morphine and is not addictive either. You can also get capsules with the same effect, but longer duration. Of course, I only do this before bed and never go out afterwards as I am a bit impaired, but in a good way. One has to be responsible.
You may not like this idea but I tell you the truth here – this is the best medicine ever and I was the biggest square against it for about 30 years, until I did some research. (A great place to research it is green flower dot com.) It was kept from us due to racism in the US (the government leaders and pharmaceutical giants – as they could not make a profit from it), back in the 1920’s. That’s why they put together the film “Reefer Madness” which is full of racism and bold lies, just to turn folks away from it – yet it was used as tinctures back when there were pioneers. And it worked too.
I leave you with this information. Hopefully, it will help someone. There is absolutely no reason not to have a safe, wonderful sleep every night. You need to educate yourself about this wonder drug. I understand it cures cancer too and this indeed is a threat to big pharma, so they will always try to belittle it. But, educated folks are tired of the lies and thankfully, due to the information highway, are not falling for them anymore. Best wishes.
Forgot to say, taking large doses of vitamin C every day when you are on steroids helps mitigate the side effects. I was on a large 12-week dose (50 mg day and tapering by 1 pill per week) and had no moon face, excessive hair growth, etc. I did have 2 “crazy lady” meltdowns on my poor hubby though, (which, of course, could have been avoided if I had vaped first) but that was pretty good considering the length on pred. I read this in an old Rodale book on vitamins I had.
Amen sista. Completely agree with the miracle benefits of Cannabis on diseases and pain!
I was on prednisone for nearly four years, as a treatment for Giant Cell Arteritis, which can make you go suddenly blind and/or morph into Polymyalgia Rheumatica, and cause much pain. Under the circs, the steroids seemed a great choice. However I did get many adverse effects, including cataracts and damaged sight in one eye, and thinned muscles, tendons, and skin. I also had that horrible sense of not owning my body any longer.
Anyway, I discovered Uncaria tomentosa a popular South American anti-inflammatory that has been drawing a lot of research interest. It has allowed me to get right off the steroids (after a long gradual withdrawal); if I remember to take my 3x300mg capsules I rarely have any symptoms of the GCA (which lurked right through the years of steroids too); a couple of times I’ve been able to deal with flare-ups by slightly increasing the Uncaria and dosing myself with several low dose enteric coated aspirins.
Hi Dinah, I’m wondering how you’re making out with your use of Unicaria Tomentosa as a substitute for Prednisone in treating Giant Cell Arteritis. Is it still working? This is my problem. I recently wound up in Hospital Emergency with such a severe headache that the young interns didn’t know if I was having a stroke or a heart attack. Eventually, a young specialist diagnosed probable G.C.A., prescribed 50 mgs of Prednisone per day starting immediately, and scheduled a Temple Artery Biopsy in the Hospital Out- Patients’ Clinic at the earliest possible date, which was three weeks away. In the meantime, I saw my G.P who thought the young man had over-reacted and who put me on 15 mgs of Prednisone per day while he treated a non-symptomatic bladder infection, which he assured me was the cause of my headache. Nonetheless, I did show up for the Temple Biopsy as arranged, only to have the middle-aged surgeon list all the reasons why I shouldn’t have it and say, “You don’t really want this operation, do you?” Naturally, I said, “No”. Then, as requested, I went back to the specialist, who was extremely annoyed, especially when I said I’d weaned myself off the Prednisone and who didn’t believe a world I said about the surgeon. Now, I’m floating in limbo, still suffering from my headache, aware that half my elderly relatives died of strokes, and terrified to go back on Prednisone which made me feel very dreamy, but addicted. I would be so appreciative of any information you can share with me. Thank you.
I am currently on 60mg/day Prednisone and slowly tapering off to treat chronic hives. It is the only thing that gives me relief but the side effects are terrible. It’s funny to me that hives can be one of them. I experience crazy energy and focus during the day and awful insomnia at night, mood swings, and my body temperature fluctuates a lot. Very annoying, but less annoying than constantly being covered in an itchy rash with an unknown cause. I love to hate Prednisone.
I wish my doc had told me that pred could ruin my teeth. whatever you do, don’t fall behind on oral care. looking at about 11K with insurance. 🙁
I am at 12.5 now, started at 40 for a flesh eating bacteria that ate my cornea. lost my vision, my teeth are full of cavities. My bp is out of control and my heart doc just cancelled my appt, he has to go out of town! so i get to wait or start over with someone else. I am angry, discouraged, hateful and mean. If i thought it wouldn’t hurt anyone else, i would leave the planet. I use essential oils when i remember (oh yeah, forgot, poor memory, poor focus)….i swear i hate this drug more than anything. Been on it for about a year, probably take me 8 months to get off it now. and if he thinks he is gonna do another corneal transplant on my eye, he is crazy. This acanthamoeba that got in my (auto surpressed) eye started all this about 1.5 years ago, right after i moved to my dream location….colorado. but it isn’t easy to enjoy being here with all the complications. I feel so cheated.
I have anger and quality prednisone robs no warning /insight.My teeth were beautiful/now 4 gone Dental insurance smiling beats crying
First , before I explain my worst experience with this PREDNISONE… let me tell you what i was and why I took it… im very skinny yet fast strong and very active… until one day on my puberty age 12 a DREADED CHRONIC ILLNESS APPEARS TO ME on my scalp PSORIASIS which later in time it just grew and spread everywhere on my body .. it really affects my patience because of the irritation and horrible appearance i had because of this chronic illness PSORIASIS
i used many types of medical ointments and they were all useless … i suffered this PSORIASIS for about 5 years when i met the ORAL MEDICINE PREDNISONE … i was shocked that whenever i take a doss my itchiness were relieved and the spreading stops my skin is returning to normal… since then i took this oral medication 3x a day 20mg that comes 60mg in total per day because that is the dose that really relieves me from the effects of PSORIASIS…. later around 7 months my face became more puffy and my skinny self gained weight … I THOUGHT I WAS BLESSED for being able to gain fat…. but only the face and my belly? Sooner i got STRETCH MARKS appearing on my arm ,,,its also one of the side effects of a long term… I said its alright… its only stretch marks… .later the stretch marks grew more and wider everywhere in my body … it did not affect my entire head, everybody tells me if i had been abused by my relatives with torture devices…. No!… now when i was in 2nd year in college i felt strange… like i really dont care of everything around me…. another side effect called DEPRESSION …. then sooner my sharp sight are even affected, im having a difficult time reading small letters because everything is blurry like there is cloudy white fog everywhere around me…. this is another long term side effect called CATARACT ….i even had a funny sweating when there is no hot temperature at all … oh god im sweating real hard like im taking a bath of sweat and its another long term side effect EXCESSIVE SWEATING whenever i take a ride to college and each time we take a bump in the road, my bone is killing me like some sharp knife is chopping my backbone… it gets worser and worser that i hate resting or sitting on hard surfaces… i even need help on trying to get up on my bed now… because if nobody holds me firmly while standing im sure my backbone will break like im gonna die! Right now i have been taking cared of my family and stopped the drug for 5mg per day till i really had a serious backbone pain problem thats where i stopped taking the drug… and also my chronic skin disease returned slowly the psoriasis,,, if only i know that theres so many side effects just for my psoriasis, its not worth the risk i almost died because of this drug… all in all ,my side effects are:
PUFFYNESS- (moon face)
AGITATION- im not even nervous , so why shaking?
THINNING OF SKIN- my veins are so visible, easy to bruise.
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE- my chest hurts and i feel dizzy
DIABETES- really im so thirsty all the time
INCREASED APPETITE – like very hungry every 2 hours
EXCESSIVE SWEATING- is it hot in here? humid?
STRETCH MARKS- im not tortured by my parents okay…
CATARACT- hard to see or recognize things
WEAK MUSCLES – tired all the time
WEAK BONES – like im gonna break
WEAK LUNGS – im so short in air… so i have to stop a bit
My age is 18, born in year 1998 will be turning 19 next month JULY 🙂
I forgot to mention i also had a hard time sleeping INSOMNIA sleeping for 2-5 hours only… Oh God how PREDNiSONE changed my life… 🙁
Since being on prendisone for the 1st time I’ve felt the 1st relief from the horrible joint pain of RA & burstitis in years. I also have fibromyalgia it doesn’t help with that. I didn’t think I was really having any side effects aside from my anxiety being a lot worse & im not getting to sleep as easy. But I’m at the start of a new RS & since the prendisone I’ve lost all interest in wanting to pursue it, can this happen? Don’t know if it’s me or the prendisone:(
I too have been on prednisone for most of my life due to JIA. I was diagnosed at 14 and am now 49. My doctor believes that my daily dose of only 3 mg is too low to show side effects, but I disagree. I have trouble with weight loss, trouble sleeping, and mild depression at times. I really, really want to go off completely, but I have joint damage that causes pain without it. Can’t I replace it with anything else? My RA is very much under control, but my wrist is damaged beyond repair and bothers me almost constantly.
My wife has her white cells attacking the blood vessels in her lungs. There is no cure.
Therefore has trouble breathing. This is the easiest way to explain her problem. She was very sick for a time before starting on 50mg a day. Great improvement.
Then the dose slowly came down to none while she started to take a ani- rejection drug.
But she went backwards. She is now on 20mg of prednisone, but no real improvement. I am afraid the dosage will have to go higher as the drugs are not working at the moment.
How many mg can you take permittly before it stuffs up your body
My experience with prednisone has been really good; both times I’ve taken prednisone it’s cured my illness with no adverse effects at all.
Since middle-age when I get a really bad cold/flu (about every 5 years) my sinuses swell shut resulting in polyps which prevents my ability to breathe through my nose. Once the cold-virus has passed my sinuses can remain completely blocked due to these polyp growths…not good. So my doctor put me on a short course of prednisone (40mg/day for 10 days) and within days I could breathe through my nose and, overall, felt fantastic. Once the prescription was finished my polyps were gone and only become problematic again when I get another bad cold/flu.
Also I have a couple of friends in my running group who swear by prednisone, they have exercise-induced asthma and when they get lung infections (flu, cold, bronchitis, etc.) their inhalers no longer control their asthma. To get their asthma back under control they take prednisone for a week or two and then can go years without asthma flare ups.
I would be leery of long term use of any drug; but, based on my experience, and those around me, a short course of prednisone that enables your body to remedy itself from some ailment has been a godsend.
Hi, John, Thank you for your comments. There is no question that on many levels prednisone is a miracle drug. Without it I don’t think I’d be alive today. Very low doses or a short regimen of prednisone is often enough to handle a severe histamine reaction, control asthma or cure periodic inflammation like you experience, with little no no side effects. Thank God for that! There is also no doubt that at high doses for prolonged periods of time, i.e. months, not weeks, the side effects can be serious and finding a healthy way to cope with them necessary for a good quality of life.
I have been taking prednisone for 8 years. The doctor recommended it for hives allergy. Recently I have stopped taking it. I feel nauseous at times and weak, there are days I feel drained out and out of energy. Please advise me.
I hope you stopped the prednisone under your prescribing doctor’s oversight. It is actually dangerous to just stop prednisone cold turkey. That could, indeed, make you sick. My advice to you is to contact your prescribing physician right away and let her/him know how you are feeling.
Thank you fo ef posting this. I’ve been on two kinds of steroids for 44 years. I have 14 autoimmune diseases, first condition to me was Addison’s Disease. Then developed two serious lung conditions and five heart conditions. Life remains hard but I’m still here turning 60 in a few days and pushing through.
My worst complaint right now is with steroids I can’t feel my legs anymore. We live in the Forrest and spiders crawl on me all the time and I never notice them until bit. I’m highly allergic. It’s becoming embarrassing. I get facial bites and they swell so.much and I look like a freak. I’m not a vain person but the pain and respiratory problems really are troublesome.
Blessings to all. Just keep on pushing!
Hi!
I read this and finally, I understand I’m not mad…. 🙂
The feeling of a million bugs running up of my veins, constant irritation, mood change, total lack of self-esteem, moon face, loss of memory, cramps in my toes and legs, heart pumping like crazy, sleepless nights, no filter when I need to say something and on and on….
On top I have to take asthma medication, which combined makes me total whoo whoo…. I do hope I only have to take it 1 year as predicted and my illness will decrease.
Best of luck to everybody!
My husband is scheduled to begin chemotherapy in two weeks. His diagnosis is non-hodgskins lymphoma to be totally cured by chemo therapy every three weeks for six weeks. This Stage 2 cancer of his is projected to be completely gone – 85-100% chance- at the end of the 18 weeks total. The dr proscribed prednisone (5 X 20 = 100} per day, to begin five days before his first chemo. (in two weeks from now). My husband is a stage two diabetic (whose A1c gets up to 6.1) .
I am alarmed at all the prednisone being proscribed. Having read that prednisone is bad for diabetics and non diabetics and can raise the level of blood sugar at a high rate.
I am searching for alternative drugs, if the dr will agree.
By now your husband will be through his pre-chemo prednisone and is into his chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the likelihood of finding another drug to replace the prednisone is exceedingly small. If a substitute was recommended I would very much like to hear about it! I’m hoping it is all going as his doctors anticipated. The treatment is very hard but the prognosis is good. My prayers are with you and your husband.
Prednisone, l thank the inventor that’s for sure. At first the effects were slow coming on , l take 80 mg to fight mcd , and it’s working so far last test minimal protein in my blood .. Iam at about 3 months on prednisone , my moods swing rapidly and l snap at the misses for no real reason , and within minutes realise and apologise, l have long periods through the day of tiredness , and then will get a sudden burst of energy . My face feels sunburnt, sugar levels through the roof , l now use tablets plus insulin to try and control it . Thyroid tablet 1 a day, and now little sores on my stomach , another medication to apply instead . It’s 2am in the morning l don’t sleep a lot atm . I do take also cal plus d tablets , l didn’t realise the impact was as dramatic on my bones , will have to follow that up , and a pre tablet before l take my dose of steroids to protect my stomach . Hopefully soon the specialist will be reducing the dose , really looking forward to that but not too quick last thing l want is a relapse and to puff back up like the Michelin man.. l would rather be like this than struggling to get out of a chair , unable to put socks on or pull up my pants .
Minimal change disease, MCD, is what I’ve struggled with all my adult life. I know how frustrating the relapses are. While being grateful that prednisone corrects kidney function, we can still hate it. You describe a lot of the side-effects very well. It’s ironic how many meds and supplements we have to take to curb those side effects. I’m sorry you had to be on such a high dose for so long and hope that your doctors are now reducing the amount of prednisone you have to take everyday. One thing I’ve done when I had to go on a high dose of prednisone is review with my family the list of possible side effects, especially the emotional dys-regulation. It gave them the heads up and put me on alert to do all I could to manage the mood swings. You are a very good man to realize when the prednisone made you snap, and to apologize right away. I wish you the very best.
I am 80 years old, who for 30 years have Polymyalga rhumatica, asthma, severe back problems. Almost one year ago I tapered off the Prednisone taking
Months of tapering off! I have been off it for 6 months. I have gone down hill so much, I can not do much of anything, I am in so much pain even when I am on Tramadol which does not work much at all. At my age I am not ready to be bed ridden, while I am on the Prednisone, I can do every thing that I would to do! I would like to be able to do exactly that for the rest of my life. I was very active ( like a 50 year old).
I am seeing my Doctor this Friday, she does not to put me back on it!
Dear Joanne, I hope your doctor is listening to you, and that she is hearing all of your concerns before making the decision to not put you back on prednisone if that is what you are requesting. I am not a medical doctor. I do not prescribe medications. I am a clinical psychologist who has been on and off of prednisone all her adult life. I think I understand what you are saying. When you see your doctor on Friday, please ask her to hear you out before she makes a decision. You will know if she is listening and if she does and still says no to going back on prednisone, ask her exactly why. A good enough doctor will respect you enough to take the time to have this conversation with you.
Joanne,
I’m sorry to hear hear about your condition. Especially about the polymyalgia rheumatica. I have have been having a difficult time getting diagnosed. I had loss of 1/2 the eyesight in one eye accompanied by lots of pain. I had a biopsy to see if it was GCA, but it was negative. I was on Prednisone for 3 years weaned off for about a year and now I’ve been back on it the past 8 months, this time from terrible burning pain in my neck going down my arms. The pain was so bad I could hardly raise my arms when we went to the ER. I also had chronic migraine symptoms. My PCP thought it might be polymyalgia rheumatica. The Prednisone is making me miserable and I do feel crazy at times. I’m still having a lot of pain. It’s hard to know what it’s coming from because I was diagnosed earlier with fibromyalgia, undifferentiated connective tissue disorder disease, arthritis, neuropathy and degenerative disc disease. I in a whole lot of pain. Now I have a cataract in my left eye, same one I lost the vision in, and I’m developing one in the right. My skin has gotten thin. I’ve gain 100lbs, I’m anxious and depressed and I’m mostly bedridden. When I drop down just 3 mg on prednisone, from 20 to 17, I get problems with migraines and crawling feelings with pressure in my temple area. Doctor’s just don’t know what to do with me. My rheumatologist wants me to go on Plaquenil, which can cause blindness. I can’t bring myself to take it, I’m just too scared. I’m only 61 and my parents lived to 84 & 89. Is any of this familiar to you with your log history of chronic PR?
Sue, I’m so sorry for all your pain and discomfort. I hope you have family and friends to support you and a decent medical team who are seriously trying to figure this out for you.
Sue, have you ever been tested for Chronic Neurological Lyme Disease? Not the ELISA test, but the Western Blot or Immunoblot tests? The symptoms you have are very similar. Google polymyalgia rheumatica and Lyme disease. There is a lot of potential for misdiagnosis. I had a “burning pain in neck, going down my arms,” neuropathy, arthritis, headaches, dizziness, vision issues, depression, among other symptoms, and convinced my PCP to go deeper with testing for Lyme. It finally showed up. I then saw an Infectious Disease Dr. who prescribed IV antibiotics (I had trouble with the oral) and I’m MUCH better. Prednisone and Lyme don’t do well together. Please check it out…I wish you well.
I am 81 years old & have been taking 10mg Prednisone for 30 yrs. Is there any chance of weening off it at this point in life. Even when I miss a dosage. my whole body begins to ache terribly.
how do you find a dr in the Atlanta area willing to prescribe prednisone??
I have bowel disease and without Prednisone, I have no quality of life as I am nauseous 70% of the time. If I’m on it, my mood is lifted, and my nausea goes. And yes, it makes you fat. But choose between being fat and not around anymore.
Hi, Dani, I’m glad you have such a strong, practical attitude. You are right, of course. All of us choose to take the prednisone instead of not being around any more. However, for many of us accepting the life-saving medication does not equal accepting all the nasty side-effects. That’s what makes prednisone the medication we love to hate. We love the miraculous anti-inflammatory qualities of it but also hate the weight-gain, emotional disregulation, body hair where you don’t want it, losing hair where you do want it… Human beings are unique among our animal brethren in that we can hold two or even three emotions at the same time!
I have been on and off Prednisone since I was 24, due to Colitis, I am now 57 and have been on Prednisone for the last 10 years steady. Never being able to get below 10mg. Until just recently, because I am now on Entivio infusions I have been completely off of Prednisone for over a month now, but the withdrawals are extremely painful the constant Arthritis pain and raging mood swings.
I call Prednisone my “Frenemy”
It has literally saved me from bleeding out and dying more times than I can count. It has also damaged my body and my mind.
Most recently I have been diagnosed with heart disease and have been Emphatically told to never take it again, because the drug that once saved my life is killing me.
I also have a host of other physical symptoms too. Weight gain, moon face, thinning skin, easy bruising and bleeding, bone loss, muscle loss. The list goes on and on. Then there is the mental disorders. Depression, Bi-polar manic mood swings, raging anger especially while reducing the Prednisone.
I hope I can stay off this drug.
Until I read this article I had trouble finding those either in or out of the medical field that could understand. I felt hopeless but now I feel that maybe there really is some people out there that understand.
We do understand. My heart breaks for you, Michael. Your story is uniquely yours and we can all identify with it, whether we’ve been on prednisone one month or a lifetime. I pray that you are getting good medical care and advice. Best wishes always.
Ok thank you i hope you can get them for me 10 mg I take one a day help me breathe and stay here at my son and my grandkids my son’s girlfriend’s having a baby next week I need to help her and my doctor says you can only give me dirty for one month I need for another month and a half whatever you can give me I really would appreciate it thank you
Hi, Sandra, I cannot help you with your prescription. You will need to talk with your doctor, the doctor who wrote you the original prescription for the prednisone.
The only way I can help you is to advise you to talk with your medical doctor, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant who prescribed the prednisone to you in the first place. In addition, I would hope that your son and his girlfriend would do everything they can to make their home less toxic for you. They could board the cats with a friend temporarily, smoke outside, keep things as clean as possible, all things that are best for their baby as well.
Terrible side effects of 1000ngs a day IV now on 80 oral per day fever and chills every muscle aching
How are you doing now, Donna?
I was on prednisone for over a year. It was a miracle drug for me also to begin with. Then the side effects jumped in full force. I had pericarditous. I think thats how it’s spelled. I was on mega doses for about 6 months then they finally took out the pericardial lining. I was hospitalized 3 months out of 4. Only because of super high doses. Then it was removed. After that , it took 6 more month’s to be weaned off of prednisone. I was a miserable young lady with 3 young kids and a husband. My pain was so intense I couldn’t be taken off of them. I had to be monitored in hospital because of such high doses. When the would try to lower my dosage my pain would immediately return with avengous. The side affects were horrible. I wasn’t told I would have these in the beginning. After the heart surgery, I was tappered off. But in the meantime, my emotions were so out of control I divorced my husband and my whole life changed. Im thankful for my heart pain relief. And I’m thankful for my doctors. But I do hate the side effects that damaged me eternally.
Vicki, oh my God, I am so sorry, for so much. Your illness and pain, enduring the awful side effects of prednisone at high doses and the end of your marriage. I wonder how many relationships crumble under the stress of a partner being on prednisone? I am glad it sounds like you are doing better. I hope you are surrounded by people who are as amazing as you are.
I have had adrenal fatigue for 14 months,i tried my best to survive the natural way,but the symptom of food allergy and unable to breathe is making me consider a low dosage Predisone howveer i am concern i will have to depend on it my whole life if i start as what i have is low cotisol and this would surpress it even more,i am really weighing my options,are there better least side effects steroids other than predisone to consider,thank you for your help
Hi, Mike, Is your MD suggesting the low dose prednisone? I like what you’re doing here, in essence seeking a second opinion. I would just advise that you meet with other medical professionals, specialists, in person and ask them your questions. In addition to your medical doctor, have you consulted with a good medical registered dietician? A health psychologist?
Hi, I have been on Prednisolone for 46 years. I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus “SLE” when I was 12yrs old this auto immune disease was attacking my kidneys. I was prescribed very high dose of steroids and Azathioprine to get it under control. During my teens life was tricky with constant flare ups and medication changes and all the symptoms previously mentioned by your other followers. The only difference being NO weight gain! I remember sitting in the consulting room with my mother listening to the doctor explaining what was going to happen to me once I started the steroids he said I would feel very hungry as a result put on weight. I remember so well saying to myself “oh no I won’t” and I never have. I did feel starving but with my will power and tremendous help from my mother I only ate what I needed and nothing more. I have continued this discipline my whole life and now at the age of 58 my lupus is in remission and I take 3mgs each day as a maintenance. I think it is a marvellous drug if properly prescribed by excellent Doctors. I have been extremely fortunate to have been. I have had brilliant care from Guys Hospital London. I also have a wonderful Nutricianist who has prescribed no gluten or diary and various supplements. Sticking to this regime of very healthy diet and lots of exercise particularly Pilates I have got to this point in my life with three grown up children and three grandchildren fairly successfully. I am so grateful to prednisolone. I did have to stop taking Azathoprine as that did cause me to have a malignant melanoma which has been dealt with successfully.
Thank goodness for Prednisolone I say!
Sarah
Hi, Sarah, I think we can all say thank goodness for prednisone and for good doctors who guide us well. It’s just that for many of us this miracle drug comes with a very deep cost. I am happy for you, that you have been able to maintain on prednisone without weight gain, however, yours is the story that is the exception to the rule. Be well always.
I have been on prednisone for 30 years. I have never had any weight gain or round face. My doctors say it odd. I have used for my asthma and it has kept me out of the hospital. But now it seems to not work as well. I have so many other health problems now, but I guess being able to breathe was worth it.
Hello
Do you think is it save to take 20 mg. of prednisone 4-5 days and do that 2-3 times in a year? Or is it still possible to get those side effects from such dosage?
When it comes to medication of any kind, I am a great believer in talking things over with whoever is doing the prescribing specifically for you. That doesn’t mean I’m advocating blind obedience. It means having a medical professional/prescriber who is willing to hear out all of your concerns and answer all of your questions, even if if it’s to say “I don’t know.”
The end of May I started getting twinges of joint pain and stiffness in my right hand and fingers. A month later it started in my left hand also. The pain later got excruciating, unable to do much and unable to sleep because of the pain. I was told to just take Advil and it’ll probably go away. I went to the doctor for the fourth time two months later and they finally send me to a rheumatologist. I’ve been on prednisone the last six weeks starting at 20 mg . I was taper down and now I’m at 5 mg, and will be on 2.5 for one more week. Since I’ve been on the 5 mg the pain is starting to come back, I feel pain going through all of my finger joints and my wrists and stiffness is back. I hope I get a diagnosis. Originally I was told maybe it was due to an infection or a virus, which it turned out not to be. All of my blood test have been negative so far.
I’m really worried because the pain was excruciating and I feel it coming back.
Hello. I just wanted to tell you that I am a healthy active 27 year old female. Thin, eating and sleeping properly. Everything was fine. I got an infection that triggered some auto-immune diseases. I took a steroid shot on my head for 3 months straight, and had a checkup soon after. The check-up showed that I had a blood pressure of 210/120. I was rushed to the ER as the number just kept getting bigger. The doctors told me I was in a very dangerous situation then. I was roped with a ton of meds that day. And I am now on meds for extreme hypertension and enlarged heart. I have been told my heart has also slightly enlarged. This is likely to be chronic. I can no longer drink alcohol, caffeine, take any steroids (ofc), cough meds or go on rollercoasters or clubs. My heart apparently had a genetic disposition to be bigger + high blood pressure but this should not have happened if I was living a healthy life (which I was) and I was at least 45+…. but now that it has been triggered by the cortisteroids… I have to live with it.
I’m very upset about getting this in a young age, but I’m trying my best to keep a positive outlook.
I found this article tonight when I googled “why does prednisone makes me feel so good.”
I’ve been on and off prednisone treatments for nearly 10 years (tablet & injection) as a result of nerve damage sustained both from the trauma of an accident (rear ended by a school bus) and as a result of my nerves being shredded by some of the medicines I have been put on. My brother is an infectious disease doctor and he and my family doctor both agree that I’ve developed an auto immune disorder of some sort that has caused my nerves, which are raw, to irritate the blood vessels in my skin, which then irritate my skin, which then errupts, and at one point was from head to toe but now is from knee to ankle on both legs. some days are better, some worse. On the worst, the itching is close to insanity, and when the nerves are at their frenzied peak it feels as though a skewer is being stabbed at very specific points in my calves. There are times when it feels like I have sunburn ….excruciatingly bad sunburn… I remember when it covered my whole body felt like I was still too close to the sun.
I have been to nearly every doctor under the sun (i.e. Specialty)… Rheumatologist, endocrinologist, Infectious disease, dermatologist (three different derms… One even told me to see a shrink). I’ve been tested for lupus, aids, shingles, leprosy, etc
I’ve even been to the mayo clinic in Jacksonville to see an immunologist ….told me to see a dermatologist.!
I’ve had multiple blood draws, skin biopsies, & been prescribed so many ointments & creams (which are excruciating to apply), and was told that I have a really bad case of eczema, but the only thing that provides any relief serious relief is being on high doses of pred.
the only thing that provides any relief serious relief is being on moderate doses of prednisone. The best relief I get around is 30-40 mg. when I wean off and get down to the 10 my mark everything multiplies in its intensity again.
I’m so tired of shuffling between doctors … and I’m so tired of creams and ointments… I have stood in my bathroom and thrown all the tubes across the room and stood there and cried.
I’ve even been to the mayo clinic in Jacksonville to see an immunologist …who told me to go see a dermatologist!
I’ve had multiple biopsies of my skin, & dozens of blood draws.
My family doctor has been working closely with me on maintenance with long term pred, In fact I have an appointment to see him this week because I can’t keep going on the 10 mg… It’s just not enough to give me relief. Without the higher doses my quality-of-life deteriorates and I find I cannot function and concentrate well enough to function in my daily life much less my work. I am usually very well organized, & go go go, with a slight case of OCD, but the trauma with my legs has totally wrecked me. The heat and humidity absolutely kill it to the point that I cannot enjoy being outdoors. And I can’t stand to have anything fluff against my legs when they are there because of the sensations in my skin.. I basically live in leggings, or if I wear a pair of jeans I have to wear knee-high cotton socks so that nothing rubs against my calves.
Being on 30 to 40 mg doesn’t totally heal my legs but makes them feel so much better that the stabbing pains go away the itching subsides and I can actually wear short cargo style pants that show my legs even though they are not the most beautiful to look at (which is ironic because in high school I was voted as having the prettiest legs… That’s really laughable now). When I’m on the higher doses I feel more energetic, more awake, swelling goes down in my legs the pain goes away, my head doesn’t feel so cloudy I don’t feel like I’m living in a fog (which is where the pain puts me)… Nothing hurts when I’m on the Pred
I’ve become so desperate to find a cure/relief that I’ve decided to take matters into my own hands….. I’ve always been a health nut, but I have started to incorporate frankincense oil among other oils both topically and ingest-able, Human-n Super Beets, celery juice, juicing, CBD oil, cats claw, MCT oil, coconut oil, liquid B and liquid B complex, along with some other liquid vitamins which get into the bloodstream quicker if you take the liquid on your tongue then if you try to take them tablet through your digestion.… And the list goes on. Gluten free, organic (as I can afford it), etc. Exercise, ice baths, cruised-therapy, compression therapy, chiropractic. I’ve thought of trying acupuncture, but haven’t yet.
And of course prayer, constant prayer, mindfulness, spiritual studies, meditation, stress management, & rearranging my life so that I’m following my passions instead of someone else’s (the corporate world).
If anyone out there has any ideas or suggestions that I haven’t tried, I am open to hearing about them! I certainly would like to get off the pred, and it’s not that I don’t know HOW to get off it, it’s that I can’t…. at least not if I want to have a reasonably god quality of life….clarity in my head and be able to function in daily life. As most, or all, of you who are reading this understand, because you’ve been down this road!
This was so reassuring to read. I wrote a similar post (I called it Prednisone was Evil. It’s kind of an evil miracle for sure.) and I wish I’d found this post when I was actively on the drug. I felt so alone through it all and I was really scared. Now I’ve been off for a few months, but my memory is horrible and I’m afraid it won’t come back. It’s just been a slow process of learning routines and habits to support me through emotional turmoil and the frustration of not being able to remember things like I used to… I hope that fades over time and I’ll feel like myself again soon. I don’t know how anyone can be on it indefinitely, I am sending so much love to those folks and I’m really grateful I’m not there as of today. Show yourselves lots of grace.
I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in August of 2018..I was put on 25 mg dosage of prednisone along with several other drugs to combat side effects of Prednisone and symptoms of PMR..I had all the severe side effects and found it hard to string 3 words into a sentence..I have done a steady taper of 1/2 mg of prednisone every two weeks..I am presently taking 2 mg prednisone daily and will be off of it completely by the end of January 2020..I started taking CBD oil in Nov of 2018 hoping I could get some relief from all the horrible things that were happening to my body from the prednisone..All I can say is WOW!…29 mg in 1 ml of CBD oil morning and night gave me my life back..Most of my symptoms and side effects were softened greatly..I was able to get active again and tapering became much easier..My CRP has been near perfect since April and most of my pain is gone..My Dr is certain that I am in remission..I feel well and know that I must remain active to feel well..I truly believe that I would not be well now if I hadn’t taken CBD oil..I will continue to take it to maintain my health..I highly recommend to everyone taking prednisone to try CBD Oil..It can literally give you your life back..I forgot to add that I am 60 years young and I’m living and enjoying life again..
I want to thank you so much for sharing your story about prednisone. I was on 40mg I.v and it was driving me out of my mind I became a person I didn’t know I got a get at the Drs. Nurses etc because I couldn’t calm down and they just looked at me like I was crazy. Even though everything I threw at the Drs. Made sense they just didn’t care until finally I made them discharge me I will taper down to 20mg for a day and then I’m done but thank you again for confirming my feelings on really sorry for how I treated the nurses and Drs but it was totally out of my control again thank you and GOD BLESS
Wow! Reading all of the comments make me fearful of taking Prednisone. I have not taken it yet. My Rheumatologist prescribe 20MG for 10 days. I will not take it again after my 10 days are up. It seems as if the longer you take it that’s when the side effects come.
I’ve been on prednisone for 10 years plus, going from 30mg and am currently on 5.5 mg which I have been for a few years, I’ve seriously struggled to go down any lower than this, does anyone know if anything ( preferably herbal) that could help me wean off if I also take the weaning down at a snail’s pace ?
I have been on steroids for 5 yrs fo polimyulga,l started on15mg,wheel got down to 6mg l reduced them very slowly by a quarter of a tablet,l have been off them for a week, and l am not feeling to bad,just a little achy.so fingers crossed it has worked
Best of luck, Tanya!
I’ve been on prednisone for 17 years now. At one time it was at 30 mg but I weaned myself down to 9 mg where I became stuck. For two years no one was willing to help me taper lower, but now my specialists are suddenly insistent that I taper completely off prednisone though I have no side effects. Problem is, every time I try to taper below 9 mg, I have serious neurological symptoms. This time, they say I should take the risk and go to the ER when things get bad. I have lost all faith in the healthcare system because of this. I am getting no assistance, supervision, or guidance. No schedule, no referral to an endocrinologist. Just go to the ER.
i eat a plant-based diet. I walk, move, meditate. I do everything possible to take care of myself, but still… taper, get sick, go to the ER when your words are gone again. Yeah, what happens if they don’t come back this time? Last time it took months, and I’m still struggling with some issues.
But, hey, it’s not their life, right?
I thank the Lord for prednisone. I am in my 80s and have been on prednisone for about 15 years after getting polymyalgia. My doctor started me on prednisone at 20 MG and whittled it down after a period of time to 2 1/2 MG where I have been for many years. I have tried to get off of it more times than I can count but to no avail. I still teach my Bible Studies, over Zoom now, and live a good life. I am so thankful for modern medicine and doctors who give me what I need to live a productive life. I do not know of any side effects that plague me. I give all the glory and thanks to my Savior Jesus Christ who has forgiving my sins and heals me spiritually and physically.
Thank you so much for writing this article. I thought I was the only one that lives with most of the side effects! The mental one is the worst! I told a friend my mind has so many different things going on inside it all at the same time!
It is the drug I hate to take, and yet, I do because it’s better than itching to death!
Hi, Donna, I completely agree with you. I imagine my mind on prednisone might be a lot like what it’s like to have ADHD. I try to calm it down by taking mini-meditative breaks. Sort of like sprinting, then walking, sprinting, then walking. It’s not a solution, just a way to slow things down in my brain a tiny enough bit to not go completely crazy.