Prednisone and lack of sleep

Hi...can you do some light exercise? It sounds like you are doing everything else right.

Hi nancy,

I suffer from insomnia when on Prednisone, the last blast I had of it @60 mgs, I would easily stay up for 2 days straight. It was kind of funny that last time too, the GI was surprised and I asked him, "you really weren't aware it could affect someone like that?" I chuckle to myself knowing I've had the disease longer than he's been alive.

As Habs said, sounds like you're doing the right things. I do the same, exercise early in the AM, meditate before going to bed and read in bed. If I do manage to sleep, it's brief, 3 to 4 hours.
Taking the Prednisone I already know the drill and how it's going to affect me, I bear with it for those few weeks the best I can and once at the lower end of the taper, I manage to sleep.

After my first couple of sleepless experiences on prednisone, I now request an Ambien prescription if I have to use steroids - including in the hospital. Benadryl works when you are just exhausted and need a few hours of sleep. I am usually able to get by with fewer hours of sleep while on steroids.

Hi cannynancy - Are you taking the Prednisone first thing in the morning.  I would take is as soon as you wake up, like 5 or 6 in the morning.  That always helped me sleep better at night.

Hi cannynancy,
I won't let my GI prescribe Prednisone without xanax to go with it. I take .25 mg at bedtime and it counteracts the pred insomnia for me. I don't take it during the day...exercise helps with the daytime jitters.

You're welcome nancy, I also avoid prescription sleeping pills. If my sleep schedule is off, I'm not on Prednisone, I may use Melatonin since it's all natural.
Glad to see you were able to get some sleep last evening.