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Side effects of Prednisone (Corticosteroid therapy)

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Posted 10/19/2015 8:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi, I'm 19 years old and have been diagnosed with Autoimmune Hepatitis just this past June. In August I saw an amazing Hepatologist who started me on 5mg of Prednisone 4 times a day (20mg total) as well as an Immunosuppressant (azathioprine) to suppress my immune system from attacking my liver. I am to take these medications from the time I saw him in August until November, where he will decide what to do next from there. I've had to do labs every week and am now onto once a month. From my results, I am responding to the treatment perfectly.

In September I began to have more noticeable side effects, some weren't a big deal, but others were. I started to have a very quick/pounding heart rate, resting hr being at 112. After calling my doctor he decided to bring me down to 15mg of my Prednisone and told me to keep watch on any side effects. From there my body started to swell, possibly water retention, and I now have "moon face". Plus, I have been shaking uncontrollably, I didn't shake this bad with my Hashimotos, this is much worse. I've even had on and off hot flashes ever since I have started. Past few days I have had numbness in my toes, and this past week (horribly worse tonight) I am itching like absolute crazy.

I feel like I am going insane, to the point I don't feel like myself anymore. I do plan on calling my doctor in the morning. Are all of these things normal? Do they pertain to my Prednisone?
Posted 10/19/2015 1:07 PM (GMT 0)
Most of these symptoms do have to do with Prednisone, but they don't usually occur at doses of 20 mg.

The numbness and itching are more unusual - I do think it's a good idea to call the Dr about these as I don't think they are normal prednisone reactions. You may have an allergy to the brand you are taking,or maybe something else entirely is going on.

Let us know how it goes!
Posted 10/20/2015 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
UteProud,

I'm very new here myself but your post caught my eye because I have Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) as well as lupus.

***First & most important, I completely agree with Lynwood that you should check with your doctor about your symptoms.

But I'm also wondering if you posted in the right group because this is the lupus group and you didn't list lupus with your other conditions. Hoping this gets sorted out for you and you're feeling better soon!

Warm wishes...
Posted 10/20/2015 5:03 AM (GMT 0)
Lynnwood,
I do agree, I didn't think my dose could really do much, but as I I talked to my Doctor he did say that since I am on it long term the medication does start to build up. I have been fine the past couple of months, but this past month things have started to become more severe. With the itching, there is no rash and no other signs of allergies.
I've been advised to have my blood work done again to check on some other things.
Thank you for your reply!

Lynnwood said...
Most of these symptoms do have to do with Prednisone, but they don't usually occur at doses of 20 mg.

The numbness and itching are more unusual - I do think it's a good idea to call the Dr about these as I don't think they are normal prednisone reactions. You may have an allergy to the brand you are taking,or maybe something else entirely is going on.

Let us know how it goes!

Posted 10/20/2015 5:14 AM (GMT 0)
Amethyst4,
Thank you, I just spoke with my doctor after something new kind of happened and alarmed me, he's advised me to have more labs done in the mean time to rule some things out, but does agree some of these are side effects that need to be watched.

I purposely posted this in Lupus forums since I wanted to hear more from those with autoimmune disorders rather than just those with hepatitis, especially since corticosteroids are more commonly taken with autoimmune disorders. Before I was diagnosed with AIH, it was thought to be Lupus. So sorry, they just don't have an Autoimmune forum, so I thought posting in Lupus would be second best to have more answers from those with an Autoimmune disorder taking the steroid.

Thank you for your reply!

Amethyst4 said...
UteProud,

I'm very new here myself but your post caught my eye because I have Autoimmune Hepatitis (AIH) as well as lupus.

***First & most important, I completely agree with Lynwood that you should check with your doctor about your symptoms.

But I'm also wondering if you posted in the right group because this is the lupus group and you didn't list lupus with your other conditions. Hoping this gets sorted out for you and you're feeling better soon!

Warm wishes...

Posted 10/20/2015 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
Posting here on Lupus is perfectly fine! Because, yes, we take lots of prednisone over here and are always glad to help out.

Keep us posted as to what you find out - esp. if this is prednisone related!

I am a little surprised that he said prednisone "builds up" -- been dealing with Lupus & prednisone & lots of people here on prednisone for 10 years and during that time I have NEVER heard of such a thing before. What kind of Dr said this? I mean, we have people taking 40-80 mg daily for months at a time, if not years...

Now the Imuran (azathioprine) -- it DOES build up.
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