What should I expect with prednisone?

no sleep. Perhaps it will make her euphoric - pred does that for me. could make her sad, too. the dosing schedule you describe doesn't sound too bad - side effects will worsen as time goes on, so hopefully she'll taper quickly.

Insomnia will probably be visiting her... and subsequently, possibly you, for a handful of weeks.
I know you said that you expect an increase in appetite - one thing you could do to work on preventing her weight to increase drastically would be to sit down with her and make a list of healthy snacks that she would enjoy and y'all would have readily availabe at the house/for school, etc. She could just do healthy snacking every few hours or so instead of eating big meals and that might help curb some of the appetite - it really helped me.
It affects people differently, obviously... but, as Datawraith said - maybe irritability - especially if she is pubescent.

I just started the same dosing and schedule as your daughter a few days ago. I've been though it roughly about 6 times over the course of the last 6 or 7 years. Every time is a little different for me. But some general effects are always constant.

I don't mind the drug - and hopefully it will help your daughter. She's FAR to young to have to go through this. Breaks my heart really.

As for what to expect:

For me there was a dramatic decrease in pain right away within the first few days. This is always a positive.

A LOT of energy or the need to always do something. I get a lot of cleaning done!

Sometimes it suppresses my appetite sometimes it sends it through the roof.

I'm ALWAYS very, very thirsty. Rather than use Gatorade or sports drinks I mix orange juice or grape juice and water half and half to deal with this. Coconut water, with some flavoring (again mixed with orange juice, grape juice or even blended with fresh fruit and some honey) really does the trick for me and seems to be a lasting thirst quench. Tastes horrible on it's own though but it's not full of sugars like the sports drinks. Expensive as well though.

Night sweats hit me pretty good within the first few days, starting out mild and getting progressively worse. Sometimes I awake shivering as the covers are just soaked. So perhaps be mindful of this. I have heard its pretty common.

Water retention - i.e. "Moon Face" seems to occur after a week or two. But not a big deal in my opinion.

In general, for me the drug has been positive. Benefits far out way the drawbacks.

I'd expect some dramatic mood swings from her - but hopefully it will be more on the positive and "euphoric" side.

All the best and again - I'm sorry to hear of her troubles... Hopefully it will help her to find some relief.

PS - Mood swings might be related to the Crohns as well - as far as having to deal with that on top of everything else. I'm always grumpy when I'm ill. So is pretty much everyone else. I'd expect to see a positive change from her very quickly. In fact I'd almost recommend trying to push the "happiness from the start" to kick things in the right direction. Little things, like talking and laughing together, rent some funny movies togehter, take her out to do something she hasn't been able to do in the past etc... I've noticed on Prednisone that if I surround myself with happiness it really gains momentum and helps me feel wonderful again.. Back to that "euphoria" thing.

I was diagnosed with Crohn's at 14 & also started out on steroids.

The first thing I would expect is that your daughter would feel symptomatically better. It improves my digestive problems, it gives me more energy, improves my appetite.

I did have some insomnia problems as an adult on prednisone but don't remember having this problem as a teen. Taking the dose first thing in the morning helps. I'd recommend not taking it in the evening or before bed.

It dissolves very quickly in the mouth & tastes terrible. I usually cannot just take it with water or I'll have the taste in my mouth all morning.

My primary side effects as a teen were acne, puffy cheeks, and an incredible appetite. I usually feel like I can eat a lot about a day or two before my insides are ready for it, so it was common for me to vomit on day 2 or 3 of prednisone.

Good luck and hope this kickstarts a period of remission for your daughter.

cut way back on salt in the diet it will help prevent some of the water retention. also try to take the pred early in the day so the sleeplessness at night wont be so bad. the good news is the home work will get done! and the house clean too! let her know that weird/bad dreams are from the meds and not to worry about them too much

My doc said she'd only do 2 weeks once and then not ever again.

Hey Carol...I have been lucky and only had pred 3 times in 22 years. But this last round was very different from the first two times. I didn't have as severe reactions as I was fast tapered and a short course compared to the first times. But also, my reactions were different.
Moon face was a big thing in my first two times. My cheeks looked round very fast-of course I started as a cherub cheek. I did not get moon hardly at all this time.
I used to get the ravenous hunger...it wasn't so bad this time.
I still got the irritability/easy anger. I also wrote a lot of that off to being sick of being sick.
I never got the insomnia the first two times...this time I almost never slept. Taking naps when I could was extremely important.
Tell your daughter she has my best wishes and make sure you take care of yourself while caring for her.

Hi CarolinAlaska,

As a mom I send you and your daughter hugs and will be thinking of you. This week I finished weaning off my 40 mg of prednisone this week. It was the first time I was on it, the only other steriod I was ever on was entocort and it was much easier on me. Then again I am severely anemic, that in itself may have helped me with my insomonia. Nonetheless, I can only tell you about my symptoms and the things I did to remedy or counter them.

1) Dry and eventually bloody noses.
2) Bloating and gas to the extent that I would look like I was 4 months pregnant. It was painful,
uncomfortable and embarrassing.
3) Fatigue
4) Mood Swings and irritability.
5) Achy
6) Temporary return of my Crohn’s symptoms
7) Hair Loss

1) Neti Pot & Vaseline or A&D Ointment
Every night before bed and whenever my nose felt uncomfortable or bled I used a neti pot. Then I would put some vaseline or A&D Ointment up there. This kept it clean and moisturized the nasal lining. This will help prevent the sinus infections that can come along with Prednisone.

2) Hot Baths and Laughter
Hot baths with epsom salts and pink himalayan salt. This would help my body rid itself of toxins. The product I used was http://hugonaturals.com/products/categories/bath-salts . I am have food allergies or intolerances to gluten, soy, egg and diary. Soaking in that stuff sure wouldn’t help me. This soak helped eliminate the bloating & aches and pains. I was able to sleep better afterward too. Stay in the tub for at least 30 minutes. Also, I would watch Ally Mc Beal. Laughter is good. It helps bring up the serotonin levels and other healing agents of the body. Keep that child laughing!

3) Pink Himalayan Salt.
Drink it up and use it on your food. Keep in mind that it doesn’t have iodine, so use iodized salt too. Here are the benefits http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/learn/pinksalt.php . I would mix my pink salt in about 12 oz of water and drink it 10 minutes before eating anything in the morning. I started out using 1/8th a teaspoon and gradually increased it to 1 teaspoon. I stopped at one teaspoon. I would do the increase the day before I dropped the prednisone down. I would add a pinch through out the week before I got to the actual increase day. This will help your body get rid of toxins and balance itself out.

4) Good Whole Foods Supplements.
I use Standard Process. My chiropractor worked out which ones would be good for my hairloss, Crohn’s disease and replacement of the nutrients the prednisone was taking. It is also important to support the adrenals. They are taking a big hit when on prednisone. https://www.standardprocess.com/Home The adrenals slow down as the prednisone produces cortisol. As one tapers down, the adrenals have to pick up the slack. That is why the patient gets tired or sleepy.

4) Hot chamomile or ginger tea.
These relieve the bloating and gas. It has to come out, so Kudos to my family. I chose ginger because I was starting Humira and wanted to boast my immune system too. I am not sure if an 8 year old would go for it, but I am sure you are taking a stress hit too and therefore your immune system needs all the help it can get too. To make the ginger tea you will need 2 inches peeled and shredded( iused the food processor) fresh ginger root, 1/4 lemon(vit C is helpfulto your immune system and helps balance out the acidity level in your gut), 2 cups of water and honey. Bring ginger root and lemon to a boil. Squeeze the fresh lemon juice in before dropping in the remaining peel and pulp. Add the honey. Let it cool. When you are ready to drink it, heat it up to tea temperature. Strain out the ginger and lemon, putting it back in the concoction until you need more. The longer it sits, the more affective & strong it is. I pretend it is my coffee. Boy do I miss that!!!


4) Exercise and sleep for adrenal support.
As contradictory as this sound do both. Both help the adrenals kick in after their rest. The exercise also helps with sleep and inflammation. I am not saying to climb a mountain. I am saying a walk or a ride on a stationary bike. Just get the hear pumping a little. Sleep when she feels like it. If she is sleepy and can’t sleep exercise. Exercise before a nap. I found that I would not sleep more than 6-7 hours a night(which I will take because before the prednisone I didn’t sleep more than 3-4 hours at a time). I could not go to sleep before midnight. I would sleep for 2-4 hours during the day. I know there are somethings that have to get done no matter how tired one is, but make pick your battles wisely. Give in to sleep where you guys can.
Probiotics. I increased my probiotics and ate more yogurt, keiffer and fermented foods. I used to take my probiotics before bed and now I take them in the morning and before bed. I eat 1 So Delicious Yougurt in the morning and an 8 oz glass of Keiffer before bed. If she can tolerate goats milk I would make the goats milk yogurt according to the SCD(http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info) or pecan bread (http://pecanbread.com) websites. It is important that these are low sugar products. If she can tolerate goats milk, they make a goats milk keiffer. I advocate goats milk because it closer to human breast milk than cows milk on a molecular lever and therefore easier to digest. I, personally, found it more healing. Unfortunately when my gallbladder was removed I could no longer tolerate it. I may try it again soon once the humira kicks in. I have been on a 4.5 year flare and am almost off it, so I don’t want to rock the apple cart yet.
5) Get that childs brain engaged.
I knit, do crosswords, play suduko and other mind engaging things. Also, the knitting is good for the coordination. As Crohn’s patients our coordination can be affected, so keep doing things that require coordination to keep those neurological pathways clear. Coloring, painting, drawing. Keep that creativity flowing. This will help off set the irritability or at least her lashing out.
6) Pets.
I find my cats are like mini healers and heating pads. They provide comfort and comic relief. People are just too easy to lash out at because they TALK!!! If your daughter is good to the animals, they will be good to her. I can not tell you how much of a comfort my cats have been. I know I would be lonelier without them.

If I think of anything else I will post it. My little one has been very patient for someone her age. So I really have to go.

Take care and good luck.

No problem!

I just remembered 2 things.

1) digestive enzymes. Part of my standard process regime includes digestive enzymes. You know crohn's patients have issues digesting and it is because the gut environment is messed up enough not to support them, thus we are not getting the nutrients we should. Here is something that explains digestive enzymes. Prednisone really messes with the environment. http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2012/04/10/digestive-enzymes-vs-pancreatic-enzymes
2) watch the blood sugar levels, keep it even, don't let it spike Sugar, even those from fruits help to keep the inflammation going. Not only that I am a saint, I give in once in a while, but for the most part I eat thinks that are low on the glycemic index. Always try to eat a protein with a fruit or any other sugar containing items. This article explains the sugar-inflammation relationship. http://www.lowcarbmonthly.com/general-health/the-relationship-between-sugar-and-inflammation.html. When I was on prednisone, if I ate sugar I was like an addict. It took 3 days for the cravings to stop. On the other hand when I started the prednisone I was 15lbs underweight. My body has never been under weight! I would not gain weight at first, but on thanksgiving and for the week that followed I ate 1.5 sheet cakes that I made from Nastame mixes. I made the frosting gluten, dairy, soy and egg free too. That is what kicked off my weight gain. I am 25 lbs heavier at the end of my prednisone run. I am thinking the cake kicked off my metabolism. You may want to try something like that with your daughter if she still doesn't gain. Maybe a cake and a half is a little much, but I never do anything half way! LOL. http://www.namastefoods.com/

I will be right back with one more tidbit.

Hang in there mom! This mom is pulling for you!

Thanks Valerie. I think I am on information overload right now, and I don't think I can research any of this right now, but I'm glad it is here for when I am ready...

Just a quick update....  I started taking prednisone in the mornings, and I could sleep again!  That is, unless the pain is too much...  Lesson:  Never, never, never take prednisone in the evening!  Thanks all...

My doctor's office also called today, wanting to take down my 40mg of pred (they "usually do that at two weeks").  However, they seemed surprised that I've still had some "maximum morphine" days (like yesterday) to control the pain, so they're leaving me on 40mg.  ???  They continue to encourage charting of all food intake and the resultant symptoms to "find the triggers."  Hokay...  Hopefully the "triggers" will become apparent soon...

Adding this post so updated profile appears.