Prednisone

Hello everyone,

I have been to many threads on these boards and each time I have to say, everyone has been wonderful and this board is the first place I go (not to say I replace this for a doctor--no, I'm not saying that)--I come hear to hear from people who are going through similiar problems and can help.

Today, I come for my husband. He has had one problem after another, it is just heartbreaking when you feel helpless, if not for God in making him feel better.

He was given prednisone months ago and has been off of it for a short time. Does anyone know if his symptoms are related and if so, how long they will last?

He has had a terrible stomach problem (pain) and shortness of breath and general weakness. It was so bad, a few weeks ago I called 911. The gave him various tests, nothing showed but I am wondering if they missed something. The smallest exhertion wears him out and he's back on the couch. He has a doctor's appt. soon but thought just maybe someone was familiar with this drug. He feels it did a number to his stomach lining, causing acid build up. I have no idea. If anyone knows about prednisone I would really appreciate a reply. If it is that, how long does it take to correct itself--and I'm hoping that's what it will do and if he can take anything to help the lining.

I think I am going to ask the pharmacist. Often they know more than the doctors--but if anyone has any ideas, I would so much appreciate it.

Thanks a lot. Blessings to all.    

Hi, I recently had similar problems but not caused by prednisone, but a different RA med. I started getting sharp pains in my abdomen, wheezing, lightheadedness, weakness, high blood pressure, panic attacks, etc. With the exception of the high blood pressure, the rest were all caused by an acute case of GERD that the medication caused (the med also caused the high BP, but other than the high BP helping the panic attacks - the BP was not related to the GERD). In my case, the thing that finally clued me in to it possibly being GERD is that I started belching non-stop to the point I couldn't breathe.

So, you might want to have him checked out by a GI specialist.

Dear Denim

How long was your husband on prenosone and what dose was he on. Did he wean himself of the pregnosone.

Once you hit 10 mgs. a day, it is important that you lower the dose real slow, like 1 mg a week. Pregonsome is to be taken with food each time to soften the blow to the stomach. I have been taking pregnosone in varous doses now for 11 years. Pregnosone is generally well tolerated and works well, dispite all the -ve reports that are around.I had 3 ulcers before I started pregnosone, and they haven't got any worse but subsided. I take Losec daily to keep the ulcers at bay. Everyone is different and my experience is not the same as your husband. Even so, I don't think pregnosone is your problem. There may be an ulcer though.

I can't dismiss the thought that CaMama raised.You say your husband suffers abdominal pain, shortness of breath and weakness to the extent that it seems serious. Yet the tests from the doctors say they can find nothing wrong.

Could it be panic causing those symptoms? Does he also experience faintness, giddiness, heart pounding, visual problems, and a feeling of he can't cope as he use to? These are all symptoms of a panic attack. During the attack, the person feels as though they are dying. Fear is the trigger. Fear of the awlful feelings intensifies until they think they are about to die.This is a truly terrifying experience but thankfully not at all serious.

Understanding how anxiety is tricking the body is the key to recovery. I have suffered from panic attacks and wouldn't wish them on anyone.It took me a year before a doctor said "I think I know what it is". I went to many doctors who found nothing really wrong dispite my illness. I now suppose they suspected it was my mind driving the symptoms, and because it wasn't physical they saw nothing to fix. I had a hard time convincing myself I was mentally ill and all I had to do was welcome the bad feelings instead of running away from them in my mind to be cured.This took time.

I have written alot about panic attack because the symptoms are those of your husbands. Even though the symptoms are extensive, the cure obtainable if the right therapy is applied. Some people suffer for 10's of years, and when given direction are able to break out of its bonds.

I wish you all the best.

Let us know how you go.

 

Dear Denim

You mentioned they did  tests for ulcers. Was this an endoscopy? An endocopy is performed under a general or local anesthetic. A tube with a little camera goes down through the throat and allows the  doctor to see everything all the way down to the other side of the stomach. This is what I have done to confirm my ulcers.

As to panic attacks, there is always a possibility they will raise their ugly head again when we are stressed or worried about our health.

Take care, Keep us informed

Dear Denim

I hope your husband can get on top of this soon.

Doctors and tests are not the best way to spend your time.

Wouldn't it be nice to go out and have some quiet time together, a relaxing stroll around the block..................I find water very calming and yet invigorating. I went for a ferry ride yesterday just to breathe in  the wonderment of nature and to lay aside my troubles.  God is all around us and knows our troubles. For this I am eternally grateful.

Denim, the subject of stress has come up.  I have recently found out through my doctor and personal experience that prednisone can increase anxiety and depression problems.  I was doing okay until put on prednisone and thought that the anxiety and close calls to having a few panic attacks was because I was very sick, in the middle of a flare.  However, my psychiatrist informed me that prednisone aggravates anxiety/depression, so he had to add another med to my existing ones.  That seems to have helped.  I know your husband had recently stopped the prednisone, but maybe it getting in and then back out of his system caused some anxiety to arise.  I hope that's all it is.