prednasone ugh!

[douglisa]

dr. started my on it, after a very rough time of achy joints and hurts in Feb. He ran every test imaginable...and gave me 10mg of it for 10 days...and after starting the pill the next day...I felt like a new person. I really did. I was able to get to renew the pres. 1 more time...then had another app't and he lowered the dose to 5mg. I hadn't taken all the ones I had...so I started cutting the 10mg in half.
I really haven't had any problems, and I'm still taking the 5mg a day - but the little aches and pains that occur now...I take a Tylenol, and that helps. I have a prescription for another renewal (5mg for 30 days)...but after reading what everyone is saying...it's kind of scary... ..I don't want to get addicted to this and I'd rather not take it at all. He made no mention of me "tapering" off....should I try to take only like one every other day?? I'm so confused.
Is 5mg...very much??? Thanks...Barb

Oh hun! Do NOT NOT NOT try to moderate it yourself. I read that if you mess w/ the dose it can cause suicidal thoughts and mental impairment. If you have any questions talk to your doc maybe mention the taper. The dose I think is per wieght and severity of condition being treated. Nasty stuff, especially if you do not follow instructions.Take care.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I had steriod psychosis and it is a BAD side effect from the med. I was so bad that I was full of yeast in my disgestive system and I thought I losing my mind. My head felt like it was going to blow off.

The nurse told me to continue to wean down, I was almost done. However I had to stop it.

That went on my list of drug allergies.

 

[douglisa]

I had steriod psychosis and it is a BAD side effect from the med. I was so bad that I was full of yeast in my disgestive system and I thought I losing my mind. My head felt like it was going to blow off.

That went on my list of drug allergies.

 

[JessicaR]

corticosteroids may produce evil side effects in some but it sure beats the alternative. Breathing or not...I guess we'll take the prednisone.

Sorry that some of you have terrible side effects on these drugs.
Short bursts we dont taper but everyone is different.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

Prednisone is so much fun. NOT! I'm on 80mg right now. My lupus and/or Rheumatoid Arthritis has caused swelling on my retina and they're trying to restore my vision. The prednisone is helping, after seven months of vision problems. I still have a ways to go though.

I have different side effects every time. Sometimes I'm a ***** kitty on wheels and will kill anybody who looks at me wrong. Other times (like this time) I'm hyper and almost manic in my actions. I've been bouncing off the walls and behaving like a crazy person. Other times I get very depressed. It's a crazy drug. I hate the lack of sleep - I can go three, four days without closing my eyes at high doses. I also hate constantly wanting to eat.

To the person who is on 5mg, that is a very, very low dose. You shouldn't expect many (if any) side effects.

Lisa , I hope you feel better! Feel free to send a PM if you want to talk!

 

[Aimeedyan]

Yeah, I never feel side effects until I'm up near 20 mg or more. 5mg is about as low as you can go.

I ate every 2 hours on it. I remember one particular evening I was up all night and ate every container of leftovers in the fridge while DH was sound asleep. Lo mein at 3am really isn't as nasty as I thought =)

I also got the hyper stuff, too. My boss just sat and giggled at me one morning. I couldn't stop moving OR talking.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I feel bad for everybody who has to take this stuff, but I have to admit, I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who goes crazy on it. Being on prednisone can be a very lonely feeling because you can see and feel how strange you are behaving, but you just can't really control it. I honestly think prednisone must be similar to what it is like to have a psychotic disorder.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I feel bad for everybody who has to take this stuff, but I have to admit, I feel better knowing I'm not the only one who goes crazy on it. Being on prednisone can be a very lonely feeling because you can see and feel how strange you are behaving, but you just can't really control it. I honestly think prednisone must be similar to what it is like to have a psychotic disorder.

I guess I've been on it so long that I don't know the difference. I have "become" the psycho.

DH notices it though. He can spot a roid rage coming long before I can. Sometimes I fly off the handle at my children over something small, then I feel terrible about it.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I guess I've been on it so long that I don't know the difference. I have "become" the psycho.

DH notices it though. He can spot a roid rage coming long before I can. Sometimes I fly off the handle at my children over something small, then I feel terrible about it.

I've done that too, then I feel so guilty I can't stand it.

This last time I went on, my doctors gave me valium to help ease the symptoms. It has kinda helped a bit. It's not something you stay on the whole time you're on prednisone, but you know when you can feel yourself becoming impatient and edgy? That's when you take one and it really does help. I've found that I've had far fewer of those "flying off the handle" episodes.

 

[Biscuitsmom31]

I've done that too, then I feel so guilty I can't stand it.

This last time I went on, my doctors gave me valium to help ease the symptoms. It has kinda helped a bit. It's not something you stay on the whole time you're on prednisone, but you know when you can feel yourself becoming impatient and edgy? That's when you take one and it really does help. I've found that I've had far fewer of those "flying off the handle" episodes.

My rheumatologist gives me pain pills in case I need them. I rarely take any but when I can't sleep or I feel like I'm going to climb the walls, half of one usually takes the edge off.

 

[Cool-Beans]

Don't even get me started on flippin Prednisone. Grrr. I mean, it's great. It's a wonder drug. Does so much good for so many.

I, of course, am cursed. Grrrr.

 

[yasmina]

The only bad effect I got from prednisone was bad leg cramps. At one point I had an xray on my foot. I had such a horrible cramp in the middle of the night that the muscles in my foot cramped up and I had residual pain. Before my surgery, I had several cortisone shots as well as several scripts for the oral steroids. Since my surgery, I haven't needed it.

Except for recently I went to the dr. for a rash. She gave me a medrol pack, and OMG! the cramps came back immediately.

I will NEVER take this drug again!

 

[douglisa]

Prednisone is so much fun. NOT! I'm on 80mg right now. My lupus and/or Rheumatoid Arthritis has caused swelling on my retina and they're trying to restore my vision. The prednisone is helping, after seven months of vision problems. I still have a ways to go though.

I have different side effects every time. Sometimes I'm a ***** kitty on wheels and will kill anybody who looks at me wrong. Other times (like this time) I'm hyper and almost manic in my actions. I've been bouncing off the walls and behaving like a crazy person. Other times I get very depressed. It's a crazy drug. I hate the lack of sleep - I can go three, four days without closing my eyes at high doses. I also hate constantly wanting to eat.

To the person who is on 5mg, that is a very, very low dose. You shouldn't expect many (if any) side effects.

Lisa , I hope you feel better! Feel free to send a PM if you want to talk!

Dakota!!
Thanks hun

 

[douglisa]

I guess I've been on it so long that I don't know the difference. I have "become" the psycho.

DH notices it though. He can spot a roid rage coming long before I can. Sometimes I fly off the handle at my children over something small, then I feel terrible about it.

I know what you mean! I am on 40 mg for 5 days then 20 for 5 then 10 for 5.
I came close to physically abusing my lovely Sophie dog last night when she had an accident while we were gone. And I love that dog like a child! I had a talk w/ my kids and told them that if I loose my temper it's the meds. Good news tho, doc told me to lower the dose to the 20mg. Hopefully that will help. Also, anyone that has trouble sleeping or itching constantly the doc said to take Benadryl.

 

[Dakota_Lynn]

I know what you mean! I am on 50 mg for 5 days then 20 for 5 then 10 for 5.
I came close to physically abusing my lovely Sophie dog last night when she had an accident while we were gone. And I love that dog like a child! I had a talk w/ my kids and told them that if I loose my temper it's the meds. Good news tho, doc told me to lower the dose to the 20mg. Hopefully that will help. Also, anyone that has trouble sleeping or itching constantly the doc said to take Benadryl.

Benadryl! Oh man, if only it were that easy! I've taken double doses of prescription sleeping pills (like ambien or restoril) and still bounced off the walls higher than a kite all night. Do these doctors even know what it is like to be on that stuff? They hand it out so freely, but I bet they have no idea.

Hey, one other thing, is anybody else utterly shocked at how bad prednisone tastes? I can't swallow those pills unless I have a chunk of chocolate in front of me to eat afterwards.

 

[douglisa]

LOL I just got out of the shower. The entire time my 7 yr old kept yelling through the door;"Can't I just ride my bike now? Why do I have to wait till you get out of the shower?!" I kept my temper in check till I heard "Ride em cow dog!" Followed by the cutest giggle you ever heard. Which made it very difficult to truly be angry. Luckily he was not riding the dog...his bear was. So happy I kept my cool for the most part. It was so cute and I would have felt like a monster.
Dakota, try taking them w/ milk or soy milk. Milk does a better job of helping w/ the vile taste.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I second the suggestion of asking your Dr. about Medrol. I also end up on steroids a few times a year for asthma and allergies. Prednisone side effects made me miserable and the worst was headaches so bad I thought someone was drilling into my brain. I litterally couldnt' even get out of bed the headaches were so bad-- beyond even a migraine.

He switched me to Medrol and I have done much better with it. It isn't perfect but I have less side effects and no headaches. It is worth at least trying.


Feel better soon!