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1. • CommentAuthoralcyon73
   • CommentTimeOct 25th 2009 edited

    # 1Report Post
   Prednisone is a miracle drug for many of us with autoimmune disorders, but prednisone comes with lots of side effects that carry risks of their own. With that in mind I thought it would be a good idea to have a thread with that topic.
   
   I've been on prednisone for 10 months now. Recently my autoimmune disorder flared up and I had to increase the dose from 7 mg/day to 60 mg/day (I'm presently tapering down) and WOW! am I having side effects!
   
   I have weight gain, osteopenia, I have insomnia, I sometimes suddenly start sweating profusely, and sometimes my hands will start shaking so badly that it can be hard to do things like write or use a computer mouse. It always passes in a few minutes, but it is really annoying.
   
   So how about you? Does prednisone cause lots of side effects for you ? If so, what have you found that helps reduce the side effects? For example; I take melatonin at night to help me sleep better.
   
   Glen
2. • CommentAuthorLindaG
   • CommentTimeOct 25th 2009

    # 2Report Post
   I was on 70 mg for nine weeks over the summer and I had many of the same side effects you are experiencing. It was the first time I had ever been on prednisone, and I thought I was going to die--literally. I think it was Day 5 that I took a shower, got dressed, lay on the bed, and waited, sobbing, for a stroke or a heart attack. That's how horrible I felt. My family tried not to leave me alone for long periods of time after that incident.
   
   For the insomnia, I already had a prescription for Xanax for when I would wake up at 1:00 am and not be able to get to sleep because my brain wouldn't shut off (this was pre-AI). So, I used it for the pred insomnia every once in a while and it gave me a few hours of sleep. I also set myself up on the couch downstairs with plenty of reading material, a nice pillow, and a comfy quilt. When I felt the need to nod off, I was already comfortable and didn't need to go upstairs to bed.
   
   I just endured the sweats--being a post-menopausal woman, I knew to have plenty of cotton clothing available and never wear polyester--ever. Other than that, I just suffered through them.
   
   I did try and time when I took the pred. For me, taking it in the early afternoon worked best. I'm a morning person who likes to get things accomplished before noon. I felt relatively sane enough in the A.M. at the end of a previous dose to do computer work, answer e-mails, and be with people without going off on them before the "peak" began in the late afternoon/early evening--that's when I got all jittery and totally insane. By then, my husband had gone to bed and I was left to my nights of terror in peace.
   
   The weight gain--I'd like help with that one. I've been off the pred for over two weeks and the scale is not budging. I'm back to my old, healthy (and more portion-controlled) eating habits but the Buddha belly fat has taken up permanent residence and will not go away. I am very depressed over it.
   
   Thanks for starting this thread. I feel better just writing about it.
   
   Linda
3. • CommentAuthorhazelsoldest
   • CommentTimeNov 2nd 2009

    # 3Report Post
   I think my worst side effect with prednisone was my "fat face" !! I looked totally unlike me. I knew I was going on azathioprin and also knew that I might loose my hair so my husband and I had pictures made. I hate them(not his)! Every time I see the framed ones I want to turn them upside down, and my adult children just lie and lie. "Mom, those are really good pictures".
4. • CommentAuthoralcyon73
   • CommentTimeNov 3rd 2009

    # 4Report Post
   I just got my driver's license renewed and the picture they took of me is just awful. I clearly look not well. I am SO moon-faced and I really don't look like "me".
   
   I'm presently at 30 mg/day prednisone and holding until I go visit my rheumy later this month.
   I started on imuran in September and the long term plan is to taper off of the prednisone completely.
   I'm currently at 100 mg/day of imuran along with the prednisone.
   
   Glen