prednisone and panic attacks

I haven't had this problem, but my dad was once put on a steroid pack and had a panic attack. I imagine if that could happen on a steroid pack, which is a lower dose, then it definitely could happen on 40mg a day.

I'd definitely call your PCP if your GI doesn't think it could be a side effect of the pred.

Hi daisyrambler:

I started at 40mgs of prednisone July 2009, and weaned down in Feb 2010. Yes the jitters were horrible and I couldn't stand any noise, I felt like i was crawling out of my skin. My heart would pound like i was going to have a heart attack, my Gi said that was normal for some people. My colon rectal surgeon ALWAYS adds in .25 xanax twice a day as needed for the jitters, he recommends that every doctor do this, the risks outweighs the benefits. He also prescribed 10mg of Zolipedam to sleep other wise I would just toss and turn all night. I was give this for a hugh UC flare, now after seeing a specialist at Mt Sinai in NYC, they want to rule out crohns. On Monday I am having a capsule endoscopy to look inside my small intestine. Can you imagine swallowing a small camera the size of a big vitamin pill!

Hang in there it will get better!

Renee

I get heart palpitations while on oral steroids. It's not the same as a true panic attack (for me) but Ativan (like Xanax) does help. When the palpitations get really bad my heart is racing, with an odd beat to it and I feel like I can hardly breathe. It can be scary even though I know to talk myself rationally out of it, it's very hard without the Ativan (lorazepam).

Nanners - I have been told by 4 GIs that Entocort will not help me because of where my inflammation is (almost entirely rectal and the bottom foot of large intestine). They have all said that the medication will be digested too quickly. Never makes sense entirely because it seems it would help systemically. However, I do get budsonide (entocort) compounded into suppositories that have NO steroid side effects.

It's hard to be a new mom even when you're healthy. Don't get me wrong - it was the most wonderful experience in my life. But, you're entire life is different and with a flare on top of it... Just know that coo will bring a smile to your face for years to come, so you've got your lifetime to enjoy it.

I've never taken Xanax, but what I understand is that it's a slight step above lorazepam (Ativan) and they work within 15-30 minutes to calm you down. They are different from the long term type of medications. You just take one when you need it.

Good luck and enjoy! My girl is turning 13 and just started 7th grade. Blows me away how quickly it passes. The pride is so neat...

I find that Xanax helps me within about 30-45 minutes as it is a fast acting med. If its not helping you, you might want to try another med such as Valium or Ativan. Hugs!

Update ....
I went to my PCP on friday. He said the anxiety or panic attacks is most likey form the pred. But he did some lab checking my iron and thyroid. He put me on Buspirone 10mg as needed and citalopram 20mg for long term. The Buspirone has worked a little ... I havnt had an attack where I hyperventilate but I still feel jittery. He said he it didnt work as well as I needed it to he would change it something else. I have to get my TB test read on monday so I will talk to him about that then.

Pretty sure I get to start my Remicade again soon ... so I'll get to get off this dang pred soon !!

Thanks for everyones help and thoughts!!

Also, I don't know why your doctor told you that they haven't heard of prednisone causing panic attacks. It is VERY COMMON for prednisone to cause anxiety.

Pred can cause such severe psychiatric symptoms that you require psychiatric hospitalization, which is what happened to my son.

I cannot believe the gi's who tell their patients that the pred could not be causing these sx!

If you have any family history of mood disorders, schizophrenia, addiction I would strongly suggest you consider seeing a psychiatrist rather than your family doctor for help with these symptoms. Psychiatrists fool around with brain chemistry all the time. Family docs don't as a general rule and probably shouldn't (IMO).

Entocort works primarily in the terminal ileum (small intestine). So if most of your inflammation is in the colon you are not likely to get much benefit from it. And only about 12% is systemically available so it is not equivalent to pred in that respect.

You may want to consider doing enteral nutrition (liquid formula like Boost or ensure) for you and your baby's sake.

If you are nursing your baby, you may want to review the following information taken from the American Family Physician publication on medications in breast-feeding mothers:

"Oral steroids such as prednisone (Deltasone) and prednisolone (Delta-Cortef) penetrate into the breast milk poorly and are safe for short-term use. When daily dosages exceed 20 mg, prednisolone may be preferred over prednisone because it has only one peak in activity while prednisone has two peaks in activity—one for the pro-drug (prednisone) and the other for the drug (prednisolone).8 Infant exposure can be minimized by with holding nursing for four hours after taking the medication."