Help! Has anyone here ever had to take Prednisone?

[Jenny in GA]

I was just informed by my doctor today that I need to take 40 mg of Prednisone for a minimum of the next 2-3 months.

 

I was researching this drug, and it sounds horrible! I know every drug has side effects, but it sounds like these are extremely common, almost inescapable:

 

- Weight gain

- Mood swings/irritibility/anxiety

- Vertigo-like feelings

- "Moon-face"

- Facial hair

 

I just read many many on-line accounts that said (pretty much without exception) that they gained 20-30 pounds, and that their face became so bloated that they looked like a different person. I read this again and again and again. Many people even mentioned being put on anti-depressants. A few people said they didn't act or feel like themselves emotionally -- they got angry easily, they felt scared, etc.

 

Is there any escaping this?? Please, if you have any tips for making it bearable, please let me know!:sad:

[kwickimom]

I am on my second week of it right now and am up 9 lbs. I gain like a pound a day. I am starving ALL the time and am puffy. I dont get the mood swings though.

 

This drug sucks. I was on it for 3 months back in college and I gained about 30-40 pounds.

 

Sorry to confirm it, but everything they say is true. There is nothing you can do but drink a ton of water. I HATE it.

 

:grouphug: I just had lost 60 pounds and this is SO frustrating.

[Mama Geek]

It is a steroid. Take this time to do some serious weight lifting. The exercise will help some of the side effects and you will make large strides in a workout while on it.

[Liz CA]

Do you have second and third opinions? Have you consulted a homeopath / naturopath? I would not take something with considerable side effects unless I truly had no other choice - life or death.

[OregonNative]

I've taken it for a short period and never had issues, but I do know someone that said they looked like they had Charlie Brown's head while on it:001_huh:

[Mosaicmind]

My son has had to take it 3 different times this year. He hates how it makes him feel but it was the only thing he could do to get rid of his bronchitis.

[NanceXToo]

I took it and had no problems or side effects, but I only took it for one week.

[elegantlion]

My dog had to be on Prednisone for allergies a couple of years ago. I used to work for a vet so I knew some of the side effects. It was awful for her. She was thirsty all the time, had to go out multiple times a day. She was extremely anxious.

:grouphug: I'm sorry. I hope you can find an alternative.

[Guest]

I was on it and did not have any of those side effects. I was, however, much younger. (If that makes a difference.) I may have gained weight, but I have always struggled with my weight, there wasn't a huge weight gain that stuck out. :grouphug:

[asta]

I've been on it.

 

Yes, steroids have side effects. Yes, they make you hungry. But they don't physically lift the fork - you do. If you don't put the food in your mouth, you don't gain anything more than some water weight.

 

The mood swings may or may not happen. If you have a predisposition to them (previous history of anxiety or bipolar, etc.), yes, you will see issues. Prednisone is famous for sending BPs into mania. If you don't have a predisposition... eh. Like Mama Geek said, use the opportunity to make strides in your workout regime. Prednisone is great at giving you that "extra boost" of energy.

 

Personally, I never got "moon face", vertigo, or facial hair from it.

 

A couple of things to remember - one: people don't log on to the internet to talk about how great drugs are. People who have had great experiences go about their lives, they don't gripe online about drugs. Two: every single person's experience with a drug will be different. You will never know for certain how a drug will affect you until you try it.

 

And if you decide things are intolerable? Call your doc and tell him it ain't happening & that it is time for plan B. It's your body.

 

 

a

[kwickimom]

I've been on it.

 

Yes, steroids have side effects. Yes, they make you hungry. But they don't physically lift the fork - you do. If you don't put the food in your mouth, you don't gain anything more than some water weight.

 

The mood swings may or may not happen. If you have a predisposition to them (previous history of anxiety or bipolar, etc.), yes, you will see issues. Prednisone is famous for sending BPs into mania. If you don't have a predisposition... eh. Like Mama Geek said, use the opportunity to make strides in your workout regime. Prednisone is great at giving you that "extra boost" of energy.

 

Personally, I never got "moon face", vertigo, or facial hair from it.

 

A couple of things to remember - one: people don't log on to the internet to talk about how great drugs are. People who have had great experiences go about their lives, they don't gripe online about drugs. Two: every single person's experience with a drug will be different. You will never know for certain how a drug will affect you until you try it.

 

And if you decide things are intolerable? Call your doc and tell him it ain't happening & that it is time for plan B. It's your body.

 

 

a

 

 

actually I count calories and am staying within my range and still gained 9 pounds. It isnt always just a few pounds of water weight....it can be more. I am super careful what goes into my mouth after losing all this weight. So, yes you can gain more than a few pounds even if you watch your diet.

[amsunshine]

I would strongly recommend getting a second opinion and exploring alternative medications/treatments. I had a close relative who took prednisone a lot -- it was prescribed by her doctors often for allergy related symptoms. She suffered all the side effects you describe. She ultimately developed some kind of weird autoimmune disorder which killed her, and I feel it was due in large part to how much she took prednisone over the course of her life. I don't think it's just the initial side effects you need to worry about -- but the long term effects it has on your body. Personally, I would only take it if it was an emergency situation, and/or only after consulting more than one doctor to make sure there weren't any alternative treatments.

 

This is just my own opinion, based upon my own very limited experience, so take it for what it's worth. Take care.:grouphug:

[mom4him]

Do you have second and third opinions? Have you consulted a homeopath / naturopath? I would not take something with considerable side effects unless I truly had no other choice - life or death.

:iagree:

[Carol in Cal.]

It will stop all the pain in your body. If you have any nagging problems that have to do with inflammation, it will give you relief, even if that's not what you're taking it for. So it's a great time to start and exercise program.

[Jenny in GA]

Do you have second and third opinions? Have you consulted a homeopath / naturopath? I would not take something with considerable side effects unless I truly had no other choice - life or death.

 

 

It pretty much is that serious, yes.

 

ETA: And yes, I have had second and third opinions, and they all agree, and these are the city's very "top docs." So no, this is unfortunately not a situation that I can take lightly or feel like I can just "pass" on the drugs.

Edited December 22, 2010 by Jenny in GA
Add a little more info

[KrissiK]

Uh.... can I say that I love the stuff? I've been on it a couple times in the past 4-5 years (for sinus infections and a few other issues) and it made me feel so good. Not like I'm on a high or anything, but it is an anti-inflammatory and I suffer from chronic inflammation. I am constantly congested and tired all the time, but when I was on Prednisone I felt so good. I wasn't tired. I wasn't congested. Now, I know, I know. All you who are reading this will tell me to change my diet and all that, and I know I should, but that is easier said than done. However, I never had any of the side effects of the Prednisone. I do know it's not good for you, though, so, like I said, I've only been on it a couple times in the past 4-5 years and I was only on it a week each time.

Edited December 22, 2010 by KrissiK

[MelissaCC]

I was on prednisone for three years. It truly was life or death - without it, my lungs would have become completely damaged and useless due to a fungal allergy.

 

I tried herbs etc as well but have only recently been able to wean off the drug.

 

Here's what i wish I knew at the start:

 

Reduce your calorie intake by at least a quarter to minimise weight gain.

Start taking calcium and Vitamin D and have your bone strength monitored.

Visit an opthamologist - cataracts are a possibility, so is glaucoma ( with high, prolonged doses ).

Be aware of side effects - it can make you feel 'high' at first, but can later cause things like loss of libido.

Get your blood sugar levels monitored.

Hand hygeine - your immune system will be down. Wash hands frequently, don't eat out, eat really, really well, only moderate exercise. Stay away ( as best you can ) from anyone who is sick.

 

 

Make sure your prescibing dr is aware of all the monitoring you need so you can be referred to appropriate people.

Ask what the plan is for weaning you off the drug.

 

Not to scare you, just to help you avoid some of the problems I had due to lack of info. Sometimes you do have little choice about taking this drug. I hope you are able to find an alternative - if you can't - you need to think about it like this "this awful drug is allowing me to keep on raising my children' and that helps put things in perspective a little.

 

I'm new here, not sure if you can pm or email me on these forums ? If you can, do. I'm really, really happy to share what my experience - good and bad - was. Some was good! Being alive is good! Not getting diabetes or any facial hair or acne was good! sorry, rushing b/c ds is whining for breakfast.

Edited December 22, 2010 by MelissaCC

[GoVanGogh]

The mood swings may or may not happen. If you have a predisposition to them (previous history of anxiety or bipolar, etc.), yes, you will see issues. Prednisone is famous for sending BPs into mania. If you don't have a predisposition... eh.

I respectfully disagree.

I had no history of mania or anxiety, but prednisone sent me into a severe manic, homicidal state. I had the most detailed, horrific visions of killing my co-workers. I had never had issues like that before, nor ever since. I had to be weaned off the drugs early and under medical observation.

My son was young when he was on it, but he had similar issues.

We are both now listed as severally "reactive" to the med.

[asta]

I respectfully disagree.

I had no history of mania or anxiety, but prednisone sent me into a severe manic, homicidal state. I had the most detailed, horrific visions of killing my co-workers. I had never had issues like that before, nor ever since. I had to be weaned off the drugs early and under medical observation.

My son was young when he was on it, but he had similar issues.

We are both now listed as severally "reactive" to the med.

 

I did write "may or may not happen".

 

I also wrote that the only way to know how a drug would affect a person was for said person to take the drug.

 

I also wrote that, if the OP found the drug to be intolerable, they should contact their doc about going off of it.

 

I'm pretty clear about not writing absolutes.

 

 

a

[Parrothead]

I'm on it off and on, and have been for the past 4 years.

 

Oral prednizone will cause bone damage. See if you can have on mega dose once a week via IV. This will bypass the bone damage. If you must take it orally, take calcium, magnesium, and Vit D to help your bones stay strong.

 

Prednizone will often cause one to crave carbs. This is where the weight gain comes from. Keep your carb consumption in check. One of the side effects of the sugar overload could be diabetes. So really watch what you eat while on this drug.

 

Some people have moodiness. Some people have a bunch of adverse symptoms, some have very few.

 

Just do a self check a few times a day until you get used to being on the med for a few days.

[newbie]

dd for horrific hives

[abbeyej]

I've taken it -- once for about six months -- without any unpleasant side effects. Yes, the *potential* side effects are scary, but most people don't experience them. Several other family members have had to take shorter courses of prednisone without any problems either. So... Yes, go into it with your eyes open and be careful -- but you may not have any of those problems at all.

[AnitaMcC]

I was just informed by my doctor today that I need to take 40 mg of Prednisone for a minimum of the next 2-3 months.

 

I was researching this drug, and it sounds horrible! I know every drug has side effects, but it sounds like these are extremely common, almost inescapable:

 

- Weight gain

- Mood swings/irritibility/anxiety

- Vertigo-like feelings

- "Moon-face"

- Facial hair

 

I just read many many on-line accounts that said (pretty much without exception) that they gained 20-30 pounds, and that their face became so bloated that they looked like a different person. I read this again and again and again. Many people even mentioned being put on anti-depressants. A few people said they didn't act or feel like themselves emotionally -- they got angry easily, they felt scared, etc.

 

Is there any escaping this?? Please, if you have any tips for making it bearable, please let me know!:sad:

 

Yep I take it often for my asthma. I love how it helps me feel better. I am currently on 20mg a day for two weeks now and it isn't helping much. But I am refusing to go higher (I have finally reversed a lot of the bone loss).

 

I was on it for 8 yrs... ranging 20mg every other day to 60 mg daily. I didn't gain that much weight (didn't gain any for first few years but with my 4th child I did gain 45lb and struggled, before him I was at 110lbs), but I puffed up and got "moon" face. I also had to start on prozac and still on it as I go on prednisone about 6 times a year. I was able to get off the constant use about 2 yrs ago.

 

The symptoms I typically get with prednisone are... difficulty sleeping, bone loss, irritability, puffiness, muscle weakness. As for being hungry and weight gain.... I refuse to eat more than I need. But honestly the symptoms weren't constant and it really depended on how much and how long I am on it. Currently I haven't had any symptoms with the 20mg a day.

Edited December 23, 2010 by AnitaMcC

[elizabeth]

Rheumatoid arthritis here. I cannot get out of bed without steroids. Thank you whoever you are for creating steroid therapy. Side effects? Heck yes but I am a rubenesque woman to begin with so- meh. The walking and sun and vit d are essential to combat what oral steroids can do to bone. I have no choice either. Look at it this way you can be a killer mean bi#%h when needed and eat donuts whenever you darn please. Just walk, walk walk. I am sorry for whatever underlying condition made this mandatory.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

It pretty much is that serious, yes.

 

ETA: And yes, I have had second and third opinions, and they all agree, and these are the city's very "top docs." So no, this is unfortunately not a situation that I can take lightly or feel like I can just "pass" on the drugs.

 

I would not be afraid to take it for 2-3 months IMHO. Yes, it can have a laundry list of side effects but it can also heal as well. WebMD.com and Medscape.com have reliable info on drugs. I have had to take Prednisone 4 times in the past 2 years for 10 days at a time. I believe 2-3 months is not considered long term. I would make sure that you are tapered off of it and that your doctor stops as soon as feasible.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I respectfully disagree.

I had no history of mania or anxiety, but prednisone sent me into a severe manic, homicidal state. I had the most detailed, horrific visions of killing my co-workers. I had never had issues like that before, nor ever since. I had to be weaned off the drugs early and under medical observation.

My son was young when he was on it, but he had similar issues.

We are both now listed as severally "reactive" to the med.

 

:grouphug: I think that it is rare, thank goodness. I have taken care of many people who take prednisone without those effects.

[mcconnellboys]

I've taken dose packs of it, sometimes more than once in a season, and have never had side effects. You are taking it a lot longer, but perhaps it will heal you quickly and they'll take you off of it sooner....

[elfgivas]

:grouphug:

 

i'm glad there is something they think might help.

 

i have taken it a lot for colitis. (two 6 month batches, and several 6 week batches each year for years).

 

things i've learned:

- calcium and vitamin D before bed (the prednisone makes adding calcium crucial, and calcium can help you sleep, which after a few weeks of prednisone becomes relevant.)

 

- eating 1200 calories a day. period. (but then, i'm 5ft2)

- 8 glasses of water, every day.

- outdoor time for moods

- some kind of aerobic exercise, up to 1 hour a day (i use leslie sansone walking videos. 4 miles at a time in the late afternoon helped with moods)

- using the restless energy productively (my house is never so clean as it is on prednisone, and my dog walks miles).

- i also start photo albums on the computer, so i have something to do at 4 am when everyone else is asleep

- i do get a small increase in facial hair. waxing is my friend

- i have a prednisone hump to my back after all these years. that's the way it goes. 3 months won't do that to you.

 

mostly, being self-aware goes a long way towards helping you notice the effects, and then trying things to deal with them.

 

be well,

ann

[Tressa]

My dad has been on it a year. He has RA. It could be because he is a man, but he has not gained any weight. He doesn't have many side effects. In fact, he loves it because it makes him feel so much better. The doctors can't seem to get a handle on his pain and prednisone takes it away. I think he would take it even he had a lot of side effects. That is how much better it makes him feel.

 

Is there a plan to wean you off? My dad has been able to wean himself to a very low dose which is still effective for him. Maybe you can do that too?