PredniSONE side effects

I was on prednisone for a little over 2 months for my asthma and it got even worse so my dosage got upped and I overdosed on it and had real bad mental side effects from it. i'm a healthy male who has worked out for the last 8 years, i'm 22 years old and 225 lbs with a good build, i workot every day and run 3 miles a day. i was taking 10 mg pills 3 times a day and then got up to taking a 50 mg pill once a day and within 2 days of takin the 50 mg pill i was HORRIBLE. the mental side effects were so bad, i didn't even know where i was or who i was at times and now it's about 5 months later and i'm still noticing the mental side effects, not quite as bad, but it's like a constant headache that never goes away. i talked to my doctor and he sad that they can last several months after you take it but won't be permanant so i'm still just living with it and at times it feels like it's rough and tough to deal with but you just have to keep thinking that it will get better. the sleeping problems can also be a problem too, but for anyone out there who is debating on taking it, I WOULD DEFINITELY NOT RECOMMEND IT, STAY AWAY AT ALL COST IF YOU CAN

Prednisone is a popular medicine used to treat inflammation, but actually it is close to useless for anything. It can cause infections to flourish so any MINOR infection can blossom into acute wide spread sepsis. PLEASE use with CAUTION!!!

My Dad is 75 years old has been in and out of the hospital because of exasperations brought on by COPD. He is fine when he gets out of the hospital with 40mg of Prednisone then like many others tapers to 30mg, 20mg then 10mg until he isn't taking any. Then the exasperations start he's back in the hospital and the Prednisone cycle begins again. I have notice he has mood swings as he has become very irritable. He also use to work out with light weights ever morning, he no longer has the desire. He also use to go for walks, in the park treadmill etc. he no longer does those activities either. I also notice his eyes look different. I realize this drug is keeping him alive, but he has become a different person.

I am on my last of 10 days on prednisone and all I can say is Thank God! I am taking it for asthma and I feel worse than I did before! My chest feels like I am having a heart attack, I have labored breathing, I am confused and weak, terrible pain in my neck and shoulders, horrible metallic taste in my mouth that even Dentyne Ice can't take away, I feel exhausted all the time, I am starving myself only to gain a pound a day and I can't concentrate at all. There was no warning not to mix this drug with alcohol, and after a couple of drinks I black out. The thing that really sucks is that I am a professional flutist and it is affecting my breathing and ability to play! Someone please tell me these "side effects" will eventually go away as I am scared to death after reading about your experiences.

Sunday May 25, we brought home a new dog. Wed May 28 I started to break out in hives. I had hives for days, bad hives covering large parts of my body. Friday the 30 I woke up and both my lips were swollen to about 3 times the size they were supposed to be. I went to my doctor very concerned and she prescribed me Prednisone and Benadryl as needed. The hives continued - never completely going away. On June 3rd it was the last day of the prednisone, I was only on it for 5 days, but shortly after I took the last dose, I all of a sudden was having a hard time breathing and I broke out the worst so far. I ended up going to the E.R. because I couldn't breathe. The doctor at the er prescribed me another dose of the prednisone but also put me on zyrtec and pepcid. She was claiming that it was an allergic reaction to the dog. I had just hives again on the 4th, and then on the 5th I had hives again and then the back for my throat, my tongue, and my upper right gum went numb and I woke up at 12 am to my tongue being so swollen I couldn't shut my mouth. The next morning on the 6th I woke up to my face and lips swollen again and in the afternoon my tongue and gums went numb again. At this time the doctor wanted me to get the dog out of the house so I sent him to my mothers. I continued to wake up each passing morning with hives.Monday the 9th, my bottom lip swelled up around 4 in the afternoon and then spread to my upper lip and right side of my face before the end of the evening. Tuesday the 10th, woke up to both my lips and the right side still swollen. By the afternoon the swelling went down by on my bottom lip and large white spot appeared with 4 tiny brown spots in it. This made me nervous so I went back to the doctor and he said that being on the prednisone things can occur in abnormal ways and he thinks that the spot was just a cold sore so he gave me yet another script to take care of that. I woke up the next morning (the 11th) with hives on my arms and knees. Thursday I didn't have any hives but I started to get severely sick to my stomach and had a killer headache. This continued into Friday morning so I went back to the doctor, got a shot for the nausea. The sickness subsided for the remaining of the day but came back Saturday. Sunday I woke up with hives yet again on my arms and legs. And again on Monday. Back at one of my visits to the doctor he gave me a script to hang on to for another dose of the prednisone in case i was still breaking out at the end of this dose, so Monday the 16th I had to get this script filled. No symptoms on the 17th, and I brought my dog home on the 18th. I have absolutely no symptoms of hives or swelling of the face since the 16th, and the dog has been by my side since. I have although blown up. I am the puffiest I think I have ever been in my life. I am so uncomfortable in my own skin it makes me sick. I am VERY moody. and can cry at the drop of a pin.

I have heard absolutely nothing good about prednisone. I told the dr this, but he felt the perks off set the downs. I am not happy being on this med. I have 4 days left on this med. When I am done taking it, if i have no more symptoms I am going back to the doctor and asking them to give me something to get rid of this water weight. I have an appointment on July 10th to be tested for allergies. Wish me luck that it doesn't come back I am allergic to my puppy. I have become very fond of him. I would be devastated.

I would really take into consideration not taking this med. I know that when I am done taking it, I wont ever take it again. A lot of the side effects that this med can give you was the reason they were giving it to me. So I guess I just done understand why they would give me something that can make me have what they are trying to get rid of.

I trust my doctor I know he wouldn't do anything to harm me. I am just not comfortable with the side effect of this med.

Good luck to everyone out there has to be on this. I wish the best for you!

Hi my son was on Prednisone for 20 years on and off for allergies now he is allergic to the Prednisone that the creams would help him was crap. At no stage was he or I told of the side effects. Now he is in intense pain has major skin sores, swollen knees and ankles, night sweats and sleep problems. This medication is terrible and now he sits hunched up like an old man his skin is so sensitive he needs painkillers for a bath or shower.

I've been on in a little over one day. The 6 day treatment. 5mg pills-6 the first, 5 the second, and so on and so forth. I have been SO HOT! I didn't sleep for very long, and woke up a couple times in the middle of night burning up. For me, the mental side effects have been HORRIBLE. I'm a 20 yr old fairly healthy female. 5'3'' 110 lbs. I have had unbelievable depression.... really really irritable and angry. I've just felt like hitting someone 24/7. I don't want to talk to anyone, I just want to sleep, I can barely keep my eyes open. I don't know how I'm going to take 5 more days of this. I also experienced the extra sensitivity to heat that others described. I read online that photo therapy... or sun exposure will help speed up healing and can be used alongside prednisone. I just really want this all to be over with. I look like I have the plague, and I feel worse than I look on the outside. Every little stress or worry just makes me want to end it, though I know that that isn't the answer. I'm a Christian, and I'm just going to pray about it. God will take care of me. I'm BURNING UP AS WE SPEAK! I've also been extra thirsty and my skin feels so dry!

my sister was put on Prednisone for a inflamed heart and fluid around the heart, she started with 6 pills a day at 5mg for 7days, then 5 pills for 7days then 4 all the way down to 1 a day. When she got to 1 a day the EXTREME chest pains came back she was in and out of the hospital so many times it was crazy, she was then put back up to 6 a day and slowing get weaned off, however her side effects are insane, major swelling, moon face, weakness, INSOMNIA bad, rashes and bruzes are appearing everywhere, coughing a LOT, sore throat, foggy vision, shortness of breath, thats put it this way she is a MESS and to top it off her husband of 24 years passed away on April 30th, 2008 with a massive heart attack at 47 years old, she feels like she is going to go CRAZY, if anyone has any suggestions it would be so appreciated. Thank you SAD SISTER!!

I suffer from cluster headaches as well as several other ailments (Doctors say..."we know it's something we just can't figure it out"...sigh). With my latest bout of cluster headaches they decided to put me on prednisone..60 mg for 4 days...30 for 3 days..etc. until I tapered down. Worked great! Headaches went away and I was feeling wonderful (terribly agitated but physically wonderful) until I went off of it (headaches returned with a vengeance. They immediately started me on a second round of Prednisone at 60 per day. Third day, on this second round, I went to get out of bed and BAM!!! fell straight to the floor. I had absolutely no muscle control below my waist...NONE! Laid there on the floor for about a half hour (trying to get up as I flailed around). Managed to finally raise to a somewhat standing position. Walked (shuffled) down the hallway to the bathroom to try and use the toilet. Went to sit down on it and promptly fell wedging myself between the toilet and the wall...(a disturbing visual). A relative helped me (how humiliating) out from my predicament and we immediately called the doctor. I was told it was not the prednisone but a flaring of my underlying vascular/soft tissue disorder and to stop prednisone. Stopped prednisone, next morning went to get up and low and behold I could stand but I had excruciating pain shooting into my hips, knees and ankles which once again made me fall (from agonizing pain). Day three off of prednisone and the excruciating pain upon rising is better but far from over. Currently, extreme muscle fatigue...so weak my poor little muscles won't even quiver. Headaches are back. Red swollen face...ack!!!...what a nightmare.

You people are freaking me out. I just started today with my first dose of prednisone for my first bronchitis diagnosis. I've been sick for 3 months and thought this would be a good med for me to rid the coughing. I'm starting to reconsider taking any more if all I can expect is long term adverse effects. I took this once before years ago for a severe skin allergy. I got the psychosis initially but then adjusted the dose. Then, I would get euphoric and full of energy, like being on a stimulant. I had no idea the round face thing was due to this, I thought I just ate too much while I was home sick for 2 months. I think I'll try the herbal alternative route. If it works, I'll write again and let y'all know. Thanks for all the comments.

I was prescribed prednisone for cronic sinus infections along with antibiotic for 30 days. I was not weaned off just stopped completely after 30 days. It has now been three weeks and I am suffering from swelling in feet, lower legs and hands. Any suggestions on what I can do to reduce the swelling and how long this may continue? I

Does anyone have the side effect of reduced sensation of smell and taste?

I just got off of 7 days of 20 mg. Prednisone twice a day for severe poison ivy. I've always had the reducing dosages before but went to a new young doctor who said this was better. I experienced extreme insomnia for several nights. Last night I slept better, but today I'm feeling dizzy and have slight soreness in my back and neck. I'm really hoping this all clears up soon since my son is getting married in 12 days and I don't want to be dizzy and moon-faced at the wedding.

I recently went into the hospital with vocal cord Polyps problems. They had swelled and Predisone was used to bring down the swelling. The Polyps were flopping over into my airway. Prednisone is terrible stuff and I think they started me out at a MUCH higher dose than normal. They started me out with 2-20mg, morn and night for 3 days..tapering down in a 2 1/2 week period. I started feeling worse than when I went into the hospital. My tongue and mouth was on fire.then moved to my lips..heart pulsing, swelling ankles, and dried my mouth and throat so bad. I just felt weak and my whole body seemed not to work right. Like everyone say's..this stuff should never be given to human or animal. Something ain't right with; this picture..that's for sure. I've had just about every side effect you can name.

I had my left lung fill with fluid and collapse after radiation treatment for Breast Cancer. The lung was drained with Thorocentesis and I was hospitalized for a week and put on prednisone - 40 mg reduced to zero in 1 week. I experienced symptoms of heart attack as reaction to reduction from prednisone. When it was determined by enzyme testing in hospital that heart not damaged I was sent home with prescription of prednisone starting at 60 -10 days, to 40- 5 days, to 30 - 10 days, to 20-10 days. The cumulative effect of these doses was all the side effects mentioned by others, loss of emotional and physical balance, stability, swelling, moon face, insomnia, depression, crying, stomach pain, constipation, etc. I dropped myself to 20mg for 9 days but on the 8th day had recurrence of lung pain and feared possible fluid build up through tissues damage/leak caused by radiation - they are calling it pleurisy or pleural effusion. (It was also determined that I must be on constant oxygen and sleep on oxygen as my breathing capacity is below 88 off of oxygen.) Dr. found not enough fluid to drain without risk to damaging my diaphragm so upped the prednisone again to 30 for 14 days. Using pain and shortness of breath as a measure of lung condition I must not dampen pain now but suffer it to monitor my lung so as to avoid trips for constant X-rays. I continue to suffer from prednisone and it has disabled me so that my normal life cannot be resumed in any way. I want to get off of it, but after reading these reports, I am very worried - supposedly the steroid is allowing my radiated lung to heal, but if that is not happening I think the steroids are possibly more life threatening than the lung - in any case, what life? What other choices do I have to survive the damage done to me by radiation?

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?

Following a deadly allergic reaction to Celebrex, I was given an injection of prednizone, and prescribed 60 mgs. of Prednizone per day for a week. By the third day, my anxiety and what they call "steroid psychosis" was so bad I thought I was going mad. I suffered horrible insomnia, crying attacks, paranoia, fear...you name it. On the fourth day, my knee swelled up horribly and walking was nearly impossible. I stopped taking Prednizone cold turkey on the fourth day (which you are NOT supposed to do, but my doctor didn't tell me that). It has been over 6 weeks since the episode and I am still suffering knee and joint pain, gained 26 pounds and have a red face and horrible acne. My knee has a horrific bulge still. I had an MRI on the knee, and they say that I have fluid buildup on the joint. I have no idea how long it will take to get this drug out of my system, but I would caution anyone to seriously reconsider taking it unless it is life threatening. I believe my allergic reaction could have been treated with just benadryl alone.

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

Prednisone
I am 17yrs old and i take prednisone. I was diagnosed with kidney falier when i was 13. i had my transplant at 15. well I have come to hate prednisone, I use to be 127lbs and now well lets just say i am way above that. Today i went online to find out how to reverse the side effects of the stupid medication but i can't.If you take the time to read this you should really look up cushing disease because you might want to know what that is if you are taking prednisone.No matter what i do i still gain weight.One time i went to on of my Ann Arbor checkup's and my food doctor said i was not eating enough i was on the line of developing an eating disorder.I have asked my doctors how to get rid of these horrible side effects and all they say is exercise,exercise.Well i am always active and still no results.They always check me for some of the side effects that i read above like the yellow in your eye, the lumps in your armpits swelling in my legs etc. well i hope you never have to take this medication if you do then you know what i am saying.

I had a bee sting and was put on prednisone for 40mg a day for five days.After my first day on it i had major muscle soreness,very sleepy,heart rate threw the roof and bad headaches.decided i wasn't take another dose but now 7 days out i have water retention and put on 3 pounds i have been my same weight for yrs and now all of sudden i put this weight on and my hands are swelling up still.i am wondering when the hell this will be out of my system with only taking one dose..i will never take this crap again...any one that knows how long this will last please let me know....

My doctor failed to catch pneumonia in time when I was 13. It cause irreversible lung damage in left lung. I have had to take prednisone for 41 years now. I now have a cortisol insufficiency, hypothyroidism, and IGA, IGG immune deficiency. Although prednisone saved my life; it has now damaged master glands. I have heard it can kill you if taken over a long period of time because of it's immunosuppresive properties. People need to know this and the drug companies still push it as an anti inflammatory.
I use natural cortef for replacement of cortisol insufficiency.
Who makes prednisone? Be knowledgeable about alternatives and don't be afraid to ask the doctor for something that is more natural to what your body makes!!

Sincerely,

Nancy L.
***

My 15 months old was given prednisone for 5 days for an allergic reaction to either aints bites or Bactrim (doctors don't know). Anyhow he had like 10-15 BMs a day, maybe more, actually diarrhea. Went back to the doctor, she said that prednisone doesn't cause diarrhea. Well, let me tell you (cause I couldn't tell her), she needs to go back to school...prednisone caused severe diarrhea in my son!!!

My Dad about 65 lost sight in one eye recently. Now the doctors are saying he is losing his sight in the other eye. He was on Prednisone for years. Recently he has been taken off. The doctors say they have a 30 day window to find out what is causing this inflammation or he could die. He is also diabetic and has sarcodosis. He has an MRI scheduled. Prednisone should be banned.

Hi. I was diagnosed yesterday with Bells Palsy, (the entire right side of my face is completely paralyzed) and given prednisone, a tapering dosage. I started my first dose of only 20 mgs last night and went to 60 mgs today, will keep on that dose tomorrow as well as one more day, taper down to 40 mg for two days, then 20 mgs for two days. My heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest! I can feel it it's beating so hard and I can also hear it when lying down .Very freaky. My blood pressure today was 164/107. My normal bp is 110/70. I take medication for high blood pressure but it's not doing much good. I am also a diabetic and my sugar is whack! Had to increase my Metformin. I'm assuming since no one has died from taking this HORRIFIC medicine, we'll all live through it but at times, I feel like I am going to have a frigging massive panic attack! I have to calm myself down, listen to music, meditate. That does help some but not enough .I will be sooooooooo glad when I'm done taking this SH*T! Another thing I've noticed is I am bone weary weak, like I've run the Boston Marathon, competed in the 1000 meter butterfly medley and then played 3 sets of tennis on top of that! GOOD GRIEF, HE INVENTED THIS CRAPOLA?

First time taking Prednisone, I was prescribed for an injured rotator cuff. All it took for me was one 20mg pill before bed. I only slept for about an hour and a half in that time i experienced extremely vivid nightmares i then woke up for the rest of the night with bouts of paranoia. for some reason i thought i needed to have my gun under my pillow, i kept thinking someone was going to break in my house.(this is not typical behavior for me) Stoped use of the pills immediately.

I have been on prednisone for one week for poison ivy and I cannot get more than one or two hours of sleep a night. I have taken sleep aids, benadryl, phenergan and nothing is working. My skin still iches like crazy even though the poison ivy is gone. I also have substantial mood changes. I am extremely laid back and nothing bothers me. My company lost their entire customer database and orders and my response was "sucks to be you" normally I would be stressed and trying to fix it. I also drank while on prednisone because the bottle didn't warn against it. I don't think I need to explain how stupid I made myself look. Does anyone know how long it takes for this stuff to wear off?

i am a 21 yr old female taking 60 mg of prednisone for to much protein in my urine i am having severe nightmares and to look in the mirror i tell everyone i am ugly cause i have moon face and buffalo hump along with a lot of other symptoms i am looking for answers on to how to decrease or eliminate my nightmares i am in nursing school and to wake up with a nightmare till i get back toi sleep its time to get up for school and my exam grades have gone down hill since i started taking it cause of wanting to sleep all the item and not study now i sleep and my nightmares wake me and i am afraid to sleep if u have ne suggestions let me know i would appreciate it

I am glad that I found this website! I have been trying to find out how long it takes for my moon face to go away. I was prescribed 60mgs daily of Prednisone while 35 weeks pregnant for 3 weeks. When pregnant, I developed a condition called Thyromocypenia (my white blood cells die off during my pregnancies). In order for my OB to not have to put me under again for a repeat c-section, she referred me to a hematologist who put me on this drug. I asked him about side effects and he stated that the most common is increased appetite, which did not affect me. Even though I was pregnant at the time, my appetite did not change, but what did change was my face after I stopped taking the Prednisone. While in the hospital after the birth of my son, they did taper the dosage for 3 days and at the point of discharge, I was completely off the drug. I left the hospital on a Wednesday and overnight my face had swollen so strangely that I went back to the hospital on Friday. I had no idea that there was such a thing as this moon face syndrome. The nurse that attended to me in the emergency room told me about it. She said that she had taken Prednisone before for asthma and it took her face 3 weeks to return to normal.

I just had my son on 5/4, and my face has been swollen exactly a week today. I can see where some areas are reducing, but it is still not back to normal. My face did not swell at all during my pregnancy and I only gained 18lbs, so this was really startling for me to have been through 9 months looking great and after giving birth sitting up with a pie face, swollen nose, swollen lips, a swollen neck, and swollen shoulders. I also experienced a couple of migraines that nearly took me out. I hope to never have to take this drug again!

My doctor put me on prednisone for pain and inflammation and I have never felt better in my life. It's a miracle for me right now and I'll take my chances with the side effects for being pain free. I'm a happy lady for now.

I started prednisone last week because of an allergic reaction I had to I dunno what (yet). I started with a solumedrol shot, followed 12 hrs later by a kenalog shot, followed 12 hrs after that by oral prednisone q 24 hrs. The 'fog' is fucking horrible; I can't think straight. I'm at the end of a medic class and have finals this weekend - and I'm scared that I'll be in the middle of a fog during the exams and will fail miserably.

It's unlike anything else I've experienced. It's not a drunk or stoned feeling, it's literally like I've lost cognitive ability and cannot process information. For instance: I wanted to make some tea and forgot how to turn on the kettle.

Does anyone else experience wild mood swings? I'm not normally a tearful person, but the past few days have seen me crying uncontrollably for no reason whatsoever - and this morning, I started laughing whilst I was crying and just couldn't stop. My family think I'm losing my mind, and were I not taking prednisone, monteluklast and fexofenadine I'd agree with them. As it is, I feel somewhat reassured that it's the medications that are causing these symptoms, but holy cats, is it ever weird to feel this way.

I feel so bad for you folks who are faced with the prospect of long-term cortico-steroid therapy. If any of you would like to talk, please contact me at ****** .

Good luck, y'all!

I was prescribed prednisone for an allergic response to crab. I had been given it before for out of control asthmatic bronchitis and had experienced the usual, muscle pain, strange metallic taste in mouth, water retention, insomnia and elevated BP. But after the crab allergy I was given it IV all at once. The next morning my fingers were all tingly and that pins and needles thing began to travel up my arm, also I was anxious, really anxious and I felt like my eyes weren't focusing right. I took some benadryl and felt a bit better. For the next six weeks I was in hell. I felt absolutely insane. I had panic disorder and only felt OK at home, so I avoided going out at all costs. A visit to my doctor yielded a diagnosis of steroid reaction and prescriptions for zyrtec and klonopin. At 7 weeks out, one morning, I was just fine again, no panic BP normal.

Undaunted, I took 20 mgs one day a few months later, had to drive 12 hours on inflamed back and thought the anti-inflammatory action would be worth it. 7 more weeks of insanity resulted. Never again. I now know what crazy feels like.

Male, 43 yrs old, diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis 18 years ago. Have taken Prednisone in 1996, 2001 and 2008 to control the symptoms from UC. Each time started with around 40mg per day, tapering down to 2.5mg per day, usually over a 6 to 12 week time period. Bottom line, it can be a life-saving drug for whatever it is prescribed for, but it has some SERIOUS side effects. For me, severe anxiety, nausea, headaches, and weight loss. You can be prescribed an anti-anxiety medicine like Xanax (as I am), but Xanax also has its own nasty side effects. (Namely addiction if you aren't careful.) You definitely don't want to go off Prednisone without "tapering down" on the dosage as your body will NOT be able to handle it. Currently, having just stopped my most recent dosage of it a week ago, I am still suffering from anxiety and sleeplessness (stopped taking Xanax too.) Lord willing, my body will be back to "normal" within the next few weeks, which is generally how long it takes for me,

I was given this for bee stings. I wish I had more stings and no prednisone!! I shoke, Sweated from feet and hands, thought i was on the virge of a heart attack, insomnia for 9 days, quit my job of 7 years, drove my truck 2,000 miles over the coarse of a week, almost beat up my finance and my dad, (I'm never a violent person!), went to E.R. twice and given sleeping pills that didn't work, CRAZY STUFF TO SAY THE LEAST!! I lost my job, got a battery charge that my public defender thinks we cant beat, and almost lost the love of my life. Now over the past couple months I have had sever depression and have had to put my whole life back together. I'm grateful I didn't die though! THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO ANYONE, BUT IT DOES TO A LOT OF PEOPLE!! Please call me or email If there is a lawyer who could help stop this! ******
God bless America!

Well folks, its coming off time and it is no fun. i have only been on l5 mg and under for a short time, but im weaning and have laid aside the entire week for that. im tired, very sleepy, headache and feel as if a spoke or two is missing.lol

Hi all,

Well since my last post on April 23rd at 5:24, so far I have been coughing a lot. My throat is so sore just from coughing, I've been coughing up thick yellow mucous. Going into the 3rd day being on Prednisone, I couldn't take it anymore. The doctor originally requested me to take 3 pills a day for 4 days, then 2 pills for 4 days and then 1 pill for 4 days, I decided to change it. I took 3 pills for 2 days, then 2 pills for 2 days and 1 pill for 2 days, I couldn't take the side effects of severe insomnia, coughing, very dry mouth and shortness of breath going into the 3rd day. Since being prescribed Prednisone on Monday, I found myself today to be miserable. Whenever I cough my head feels like it's expanding, soon to explode and my brain hurts, I fear coughing because my throat hurts as does my body. I don't ever want to take this drug again, it's toxic. As for me now, I plan on going and laying down and sleeping like Rip Van Winkle and make up for lost sleep I didn't get during the week. Only being on this stuff for one week definitely made me sympathize with many of you who used it for years, one week was a rude awakening I don't ever want to experience again. Now I am going to go grab my stuffed bunny and crawl in bed for restful sleep.

I went on Prednisone for only 3 days as treatment to a bad allergic reaction to antibiotics. I ended up in the ER for treatment of the allergic reaction and they gave me a pred IV. They put me on 80 mg tablets, which I was supposed to take for 5 days, but there was no tapering off called for by the doc. I only took it for 3 days and started bad abdominal cramps and a bad taste in my mouth. Everything tasted extremely salty--and still does almost a week later. After I was off the drug for a day or two I started bad cramping in my chest, trouble breathing even though they said my lungs were clear, and really bad anxiety, which I've never had before. I freaked out while I was driving and had to pull into a parking lot for over an hour, and still had bad anxiety trying to drive home. I felt like I was drowning and had labored breathing. It's been almost a week and I still have muscle cramping in my chest, but it's starting to subside if I stay calm. I now have headaches and am weak generally, but am starting to come out of it, I think. I don't think the docs wanted to admit that lot of this was due to the pred; it is a serious drug that should not be taken lightly. I never knew there could be such extreme side effects to a drug. I am sorry to hear that many of you have had similar experiences, but it does give me some comfort to know that these effects were real and not due to some psychosomatic problem.

My 30+ year run with Prednisone
My experience began back in the 1980s when I took 2 aspirin for a headache one day and landed in the hospital with difficulty breathing. I was diagnosed with Chronic Asthma Triad (Aspirin Sensitivity, Sinus Polyps, and Asthma). My doctors (Allergist & ENT) prescribed Prednisone to help with the asthma and control sinus swelling in does ranging from low 15mg up to 80mg per day with weening off periods lasting weeks to months. Over the next 9 years I underwent 12 sinus surgeries ultimately obliterating all of my sinus cavities. Chronic asthma continues today and I have now developed additional lung disease I was followed at UCSC Medical Center in San Francisco after being diagnosed with Bronchiolitis Oblitersans, at which time I was fully disabled, unable to work at all for almost 2 years. This was the most difficult period in my life.
Over the years dealing with chronic sinus disease and controlling my lung and airway diseases I have made many trips to the ER and experienced many hospitalizations. I have not been off of Prednisone since this all began. With so many doses of steroids both by IV and by mouth with tapers in doses ranging from 120md daily (by mouth) to a low maintenance dose of 5mg per day. Believe me when I say that I know the side effects of this dug all to well. Initially I experienced bloating in the face and body, a rash that still remains today. I have developed significant bone density loss and now experience joint pain full time. From a mental side effects stand point I am in a state of fluctuating brain fog, memory loss, and confusion. At times I get baffled easily. I continue to experience mild to severe mood swings.
I am currently working full time with great difficulty and at this time taking 40mg of Prednisone daily to control my difficulty breathing and severe shortness of breath.
Of all the side effects it is my memory loss that has been the biggest impact on my ability to work and communicate clearly, I am having difficulties performing at work and at home. I had no idea this medication could have such an impact on daily living.
The bottom line? Prednisone truly is a two edged sword, on one hand a wonder drug and on the other a destroyer of mind and body.

Hi all,

My first time on this site, it's quite interesting to see how people have very similar side effects. My case is I fought with a Poison Ivy and lost, my left arm shows the battle scars. Before going to the doctor, I tried Calamine, Caladryl, Cort Aide, Ivarest, Aveeno Oat Meal Baths & Tee Tree Oil. All failed to help, so off to my doc I went. After what I told him I tried using, he told me to stop. He noted those things do nothing to help Poison Ivy rashes to go away, he prescribed for me to take 20mg of Prednisone 3x a day for 4 days, then knock it down to 2x for 4 days and then 1x for 4 days. He also prescribed Cortisone Cream and to buy OTC Doneboro to soak my arm, it smells just like vinegar..I wonder! I have been taking Prednisone since Monday, so far the only side effects that have shown up is Insomnia and coughing. I do have A LOT more energy than I used to have, my job is enjoying my spitfire mode. The question is, what will happen once I am off this stuff? I've read and heard a lot of nasty things about this drug and I guess I will find out in another 9 more days, I've never been on Prednisone before, I do watch for changes in my body. Making sure I am not growing a beard or mustache, that my boobs don't expand (even though it would make my husband VERY happy). I am sorry to see many on here are having a bad time with this, maybe some of you should get a second opinion. Some doctors today are babied by pharmaceutical companies to push drugs, with some issues some of you have you may want to research your health problems more. Never take the word of your doctor as concrete, they are human too and make mistakes. I believed one fertility doctor until I researched my condition to find out I would never be able to have children, they milked my health plan until I faced them with my findings of medical research sites and online articles by universities. Never again! Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Don't be fooled, research for yourself. I will keep you posted as to my next 9 day countdown.

Alison

I have been diagnosed with Crohn's. I have been on Prednisone since 1992. I have the shakes, excessive sweating, moon face, exhaustion, teeth falling out, mood swings. This ' wonder drug' must not be prescribed arbitrarily and doctors must sit down and council patients properly when they have to take this drug over a long term.

Please do research before taking PREDNISONE....

I had the flu and then some really bad vertigo which made me vomit. the doctor prescribed Prednisone for an inner ear infection he said I had. I guess he thought some sinus congestion may have caused this. However, the whole process has been horrible. I had night sweats which I never really considered until here. Mostly I have had very cloudy vision and continued vertigo. hard to concentrate or read. Not sure how anyone could work their job on this..unless you can work while laying down with your eyes closed..also, my throat feel like its going to slam shut and not open again. I just took my last pill. 20mg three times a day for 5 days..I hope the stuff gets out of my system quickly. wont take this again!

I have taken Prednisone several times for allergic reactions.The main side effects I have encountered are 1.Shakiness 2. mood swings 3. anxiety-mild depression 4.upset stomach 5 rapid heartbeat.6.insominia. To counteract the anxiety, moodines, insomnia I take benadryl. I talked to my pharmacist and she said Benadryl is ok to take with Prednisone- you should still talk to your Doctor or Pharmacist. The Benadryl takes some of the edge off of the prednisone. As for the upset stomach I just make sure I eat before I take the Prednisone.

I was on Prednisone for just over two weeks for a bad skin rash (allergic reaction). I went to the ER they gave me an injection on Prednisone. The next day my Doctor puts me on 40mg a day for 10 days then down to 20mg, and then 10mg. The side effects were (and are) crazy. Blood sugar and Blood pressure are through the roof. My heart pounds,races, skips beats. Hands shaking, nervous, and panic attacks. Yeah, sure, the rash is gone, but I feel like a train wreck. I took my last dose 2 days ago, and have been told it can take 2 to 4 weeks for this to get completely out of my system and end the side effects. Can anybody else verify this?? Good god, what a mess!!

Cushings Disease is another side effect of Prednisone. The test for Cushings Disease can only be done once you are off Prednisone. I forgot to add this to my prior list of side effects. I learnt about this illness while serarching for side effects of prednisone. Your can learn more about it and see pictures of it if you type the words "Cushings Disease" .

I Hi I'm sorry for the mispelled words,above. I'm not well. I'll try again
Side Effects:
throat tightens, eye leaks sticky substance, lid droops and sticks to lid, eye flutters, eye ball aches, edma up all of leg, water pills don't work. Last month for know reason at all the, my shoe went from a size 6 to 7 since I'm on predison, last month I went up 20 lbs. without eating more, my hair started to fall out by the handful 2 months ago, I took vitamin E and it slowly stopped falling out.

My throat started to tighten like someone with a fish or nut allergy.
My left eye leaks a sticky liquid and the lid is starting to droop. The lid also stick to the eye or feels like it, the eye feels like its fluttering. I have server Edma, I can hardly walk and cannot get rid of it even with water pills.

Predisone is the only other alternative for antibiotic therapy. Predisone has been known for years to have a lot of side effects. Always keep in mind you must be weined from the medicine never stop without consulting your doctor and if your doctor gives you a dose that does not require weining please also consult your pharmacist and the pharmacist really knows the drug compared to your doctor. Doctor's typically only know what the medication reps tell them whereas the pharmacist has extensive medication knowledge and will also know your current medication conflicts. Be sure that your doctor is aware of all medications including all herbal supplements and other the counter medications. With predisone you really have to out weigh the symptoms verses the side effects then determine are they really worth going through to eleviate your symptons. Keep in mind Predisone is a steroid a very potent anti-flammitory and reduces the inflammation so the infection can heal.

I was put on Prednisonsone for Uveitis, inflammation of the eye. He started me on 20mg at 9 pills a day, then each week it was lowered to 6 pills then now i'm on 3 pills and then next week it will be 1 1/2 pill and i'll be off. I got the puffy face, my feet swelled, everytime i hate my stomach bloated and hurt, my face and neck turns red, i stayed hungry although i fought the temptation of eating for not wanting to gain a lot of weight, which I don't think I've gained any. But now I wake up in the middle of the night and severe knee pain, it feels like my knees they are in some kind of device that is crushing my bones they hurt so bad. i caught a bad cough and it's been around now for about 2 weeks and won't go away, i told the nurse about it and she says, i probably just got what everyone else has gotten, just a bad cough, well what's if it's some kind of infection? I look like a chipmunk, my face is so puffy. When i get off these prednisone in another week I WON'T BE going back on them, no matter what the case. I'm in more pain being on them and have more side effects while on them than the problem i was having with uveitis. I think some co workers thank I'm over reacting, but they're not here they don't see all the pain and frustration i'm going through while on this drug. The leg pain just started this weekend and i Know i can't deal with waking up everynight like this in severe pain. Everyone just makes me feel like i'm over reactin and it's nice to know that somebody out there is going through the same thing. Any comments will be great.

Hi everyone,

I am a 25 year old female who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease one year ago. I stumbled on this website and wanted to share my experiences to let others know they are not alone and that their side effects due to Prednisone are completely normal.

In Nov of 2007, I was in the hospital for a Crohn's flare up and was put on prednisone through IV (240mg/day). After a three days I was released, but one week later, had another flare up and was back in the hospital in December of 2007. This time, I stayed for 6 days and was on 240mg/day again through IV, along with taking Flagyl and fluids for my flare up and infection.

At first, I lost about 10 lbs due to the flare up and all of the medication I was on. However, within 3 weeks time, I gained 28 lbs and was a complete mess. I looked different, felt different and was emotionally and mentally drained.

My side effects included: Severe moon face, buffalo hump, increased appetite, hair thinning and severe hair loss, night sweats where I would have to change pajamas 3-4x a night, OCD to the point where I would have to clean my entire apartment (even if it was already clean), restlessness, anxiety, no sleep and sometimes I would go days without sleeping, increased thirst and dehydration, swollen eyes and headaches, depression and mood swings, upper and lower abdomen swelling and weight gain (28 lbs in 3 weeks), suicidal thoughts, unbearable muscle and joint swelling and aching, forgetfulness and memory loss, blurred vision and dark hair growth on my face near my sideburns and underneath my chin and on the bottom portion of my face. Bottom line: it was unbearable and nobody warned me about the harsh side effects of the drug.

When I left the hospital, I was put on 60mg/day and eventually weaned off Prednisone over the course of 2 1/2 months and took my last 5mg dose in mid- February 2008.

It is now 2 months since I have been off Prednisone and as of now, I have only lost 7 lbs, but much of the moon face has gone away and I don't seem as swollen in my chest. My appetite returned to normal the day I stopped taking the drug and my mood swings subsided one week after stopping Prednisone. I still have the buffalo hump, but it stopped hurting and I am now able to sleep through the night. The fluid retention seems to have moved south towards my legs, arms, and lower abdomen. My doctors say that within about 6 months after stopping Prednisone, most of the fluid retention should go away and they recommend walking for 45-60 minutes/day to help with the fluid/weight gain.

Overall, prednisone helped to save my life and put my Crohn's into remission, but is one of the WORST drugs I have ever taken. My heart goes out to anyone who has had to take this drug and trust that you are not alone--and the side effects are real and they are harsh. I am slowly seeing that it takes time for the prednisone to leave your system and my doctors say that every day there is less and less in my body.

Stay positive, stay active & stay Healthy!!

I have taken, for the first time in my life for poison oak, prednisone- 60 mg for 3 days, 30 mg for 1 day, and 20 for 1 day. A week after the dose ended, I took another dose of it. As soon as that was over, the symptoms began with extreme low energy and dizziness, and eyes not feeling to well. I have been like this for a week, and would like to know how long this will last? And what can I do to speed up the process?

I was on prednisone for four months. 40mg a day most of the time. i was taking it for an allergic reaction to a cosmetic tattoo that i had done. i miscarried a child while on prednisone. grew hair all over my body,which still almost two months later hasnt stopped. had trouble sleeping and chills. also have weird purple lines on my legs and severe muscle pain. Does the hair growth eventually stop?