From pred to budesonide - do the side effects linger?

Hi Stef,
When I was on pred and complained of the weight gain and the moon face, a fellow Crohnie told me that what is more important now is controlling your symptoms and not your appearance. I can relate to how you feel when you look at your face in the mirror. Still, those side effects won't last long. Budesonide is supposed to kick in quickly and the moon face would disappear shortly after. As for the weight gain which was 17 kgs in 1 year and a half those I lost very slowly. Actually, I didn't lose them all like 10 kilos but I still look slender. I tried hard to go on diet to lose them but the fat I couldn't lose; however, a lovely stomach flare up forced me to lose them. So, don't worry.
As for the mood change and insomnia, I used to take Xanax 0.25 when I was on pred. For budesonide, I learnt to take it before bedtime along w Imuran; hence, I don't suffer from either insomnia or nausea.
The side effects that really worried me were high blood pressure and eye dryness. After discontinuing pred, my BP fell down to 120/80 and sometimes 130/90 but my GI says he won't give me meds for this. The cause is the prolonged use of Entocort. This is my 2nd year on budesonide but I'm trying to taper it very very slowly.
Good luck :)

for me it's taken about two months for the pred side effects to finally start to where off. the only reason i now is because i dont have to shave everyday, two weeks ago i could almost grow a beard in a week lol :-} with the budesonide i just finish a four week does/taper today. unfourtanatly it didn't do anything. it worked two years ago though when i was first diagnoused, i think i'm too used to steroids now. hopefully you''ll get some releif, good luck :)

You may need an endocrinologist consult. My friend who was on Pred for a year (a non-Crohn's medical issue) had adrenal malfunction and had a very difficult time getting off the Prednisone. She is currently receiving help from the Mayo clinic. Her symptoms of Prednisone withdrawal are similar to what you are describing. Definitely call your doc.

I've been on budesonide since July 2013 and I've also had excessive hair growth, aches and pains and gained weight, I'm blonde as well but the hair is still noticeable and so embarrassing, it has made me feel so down, I've paid for laser hair removal but it doesn't work on the hair because they're too light. I was on 3 a day until November and then 2 a day which I still take, was originally supposed to be on them for a month.

I was told budesonide gives less side effects but they have still affected me, I've now asked to come off them.
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Diagnosed july 2013
6mp 25mg
budesonide 6mg
ustekinumab in clinical trial
folic acid 5mg
calcium tablets

Hey Stef, I hope that helps! I know it's very hard in my small town to get in to see an endocrinologist, but if it is possible,it may be helpful to you. In the meantime really taper SLOWLY. You can google adrenal insufficiency and Prednisone withdrawal and see what recommendations you can find. I'm sorry you are going through this and I hope you feel better soon!