prednisone and awake

for almost two weeks now I have been WIDE awake between 4:30am and 5am...I am thinking it is the prednisone. It's driving me crazy. Still constipated too (haven't gone in 3 days again now). Also, when I wake up early my heart races a bit and I don't like the feeling - but it seems to settle back down fairly quickly so it should be okay. When will I sleep normally again?! Down to 25mg as of yesterday...

I have that problem and i just take xanax and it helps right away prednisone give you anxiety

My doc prescribed Rhovane to help with insomnia. Also, I hear melatonin helps.
I'm down to 20 mg. of pred. I actually did not have an obstruction yesterday for the first time in about three weeks!
We'll see how things go today.

So blueberry, are you obstructed or constipated? I forget... do you have a stricture too?

When I take prednisone I take terrible insomnia and heart racing too. Try asking your Dr for ambian CR to help until you finish up your prednisone.

pred caused me the worst constip. when I had to go I couldnt' get rid of evrything, didn't feel like I emptied out my bowels, which caused major problems for me, I would feel a gas bubble coming and great I can get rid of this gas and it would just rumble around and not let me get rid of it, the worst for me, I was on heavy sleep med's, and serax for anxiety, that stuff would not wear off, wierd drug, I lasted 4 months on it and took myself off, slowly, my gi agreed. I use vicodin now for flares and slow down bowels if I go more than 5 times in am. plus rem

about the suggestion to try melatonin:

Based on recent publications and reports from others who have been seen at Johns Hopkins and other top autoimmune research centers, these docs are strongly recommending that people with autoimmune disorders *avoid* taking melatonin.

It turns out that melatonin is an important player in the function of the immune system and appears to be partly responsible for stimulating the immune system

don't know if you are totally decided on the hysterectomy (of course, a totally personal choice and I am sure you have your reasons) - but I have had very very heavy periods with brutal cramps and bad anemia for a long time. A couple of months ago I got a mirena IUD - it only has 5% of hormone of the pill and can stay in for 5 years. Most women who get it have at 90% reduction in the amount they bleed. I have had some spotting, but heavy periods are totally gone! Knock on wood...
So far it has eliminated my need for ibuprofen and I am hoping will save the iron in my blood which in turn will help my crohns. Just thought I'd pass along the info...
I, too, hope you get your miracle before surgery!

From what I remember I think I had it inserted about a week before my period was due (you can have it inserted during any point in your cycle - but there may be better times than others - it may be better to do it right at the beginning of your cycle so your lining doesn't have a chance to build up so much). The insertion was okay - the thing is you have to take pain meds before the insertion, and I'm not going to lie - it is not the most fun - but it is over really quickly! The whole procedure takes about 5min - when it is inserted it feels like a strong menstrual cramp. I had some cramping for a few days afterwards, and then my first period after insertion was a bit painful and heavy, but since then I have only had spotting off and on - a huge difference. My GYN said it can take 3-6 months to settle in and I am only on my second month, so I am hoping the spotting slows (although really it is hardly any so it is not that bad). I go back to the GYN in October to make suer all is well. I also have large fibroids and still it seems to be working. So far it is WAY, WAY better than heavy cramping periods, and it was worth the discomfort of insertion for sure!