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Is this prednisone side effects?

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Posted 7/6/2013 7:47 PM (GMT 0)
I was on steroid IVs at 100mg for about a week before being discharged from the hospital and have been on 60mg prednisone until July 4th, when I tapered down to 50mg.

I am noticing that since being discharged, I feel kind of foggy headed and not fully clear mentally. It reminds me of some withdrawal symptoms I had when I got off anti anxiety meds in the past. I'm not sure if this is my body still recuperating from the whole hospital incident and gaining my energy back, OR if it's being on high dose prednisone OR if it's the taper heh.

Anyone else experience this? It's a bit frustrating since I feel a bit dense and not as sharp as usual.
Posted 7/6/2013 10:51 PM (GMT 0)
I experienced this with the Prednisone - along with a ton of other side effects. I felt almost as if I'd taken a bunch of ephedrine decongestant when my head was foggy.

I also had extreme hair loss, ravenous appetite, insomnia, rage episodes, severe joint pain when tapering, fatigue with tapering, my face swelled up, I had a huge hump on the back of neck, my face would get very red and hot at times, icky night sweats, it made my vision prescription double, I got numerous burst capillaries in my eyes (optometrist said due to IBD/Prednisone).....these just off the top of my head
Posted 7/6/2013 10:53 PM (GMT 0)
High dose corticosteroids (as is 100 mg IV prednisone/SoluCortef) affects the hypothalmas-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). In effect, it suppresses the adrenal gland's natural production of cortisol - a life-essential hormone and corticosteroid.

This is why tapering is essential. Tapering (hopefully) allows the HPA axis to re-set. In the tapering process, however, you will experience symptoms of low cortisol as your body has become physiologically adapted to the higher 100 mg dose.

Symptoms of low cortisol: "Brain fog," lack of concentration, "fuzzy thinking;" severe/moderate muscle/joint pain; nausea and/or intestinal distress; low blood pressure; dizziness; extreme fatigue.

Keep your MD apprised if symptoms persist. Secondary adrenal insufficiency can result from use of corticosteroids and needs to be monitored for.

I hope that you feel a tad better,
- karen -
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