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My take on prednisone side effects....

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/7/2009 12:43 AM (GMT 0)

Starting prednisone tomorrow - something I said I would NEVER do but nothing else is working so here we go.  I read the literature with the pills, read a lot online and here and this is my personal thoughts - we will see how it goes.  I am very sensitive to all medication so surely it may not be a fun ride.  Thank goodness the duration should be short and praying it works...(my answers are in parenthesis)

"Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • problems with your vision; (I already have a corneal disease and corneal transplants plus beginning of cataracts)

  • swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath; (I am obese - about 100 lbs.overweight)

  • severe depression, unusual thoughts or behavior, seizure (convulsions); (I take medication for anxiety already)

  • bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood; (Yup, got the bloody stool)

  • pancreatitis (severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting, fast heart rate); (hoping this does not happen - already have nausea often)

  • low potassium (confusion, uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling); or  (don't we all feel a litte limp and I also have an overactive bladder)

  • dangerously high blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, buzzing in your ears, anxiety, confusion, chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats, seizure). (I have hypertension and take medication for anxiety)

  • Less serious side effects may include:

  • sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes; (I rarely sleep more than 3 hours at a time and often stay awake listening to radio)

  • acne, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration; (my skin is so dry it is flaking and very thin from age)

  • increased sweating; (night sweats every night here)

  • headache, dizziness, spinning sensation; (tension headaches often and ear ringing all the time now)

  • nausea, stomach pain, bloating; or (hey, I have UC - so I have all those)

  • changes in the shape or location of body fat (especially in your arms, legs, face, neck, breasts, and waist). (with my size and weight who would notice?  I already have a moon face)

  • (no doubt many of these things will get worse and it may not be fun for a couple weeks BUT, if the UC heals, goes into remission - that is all I can hope for right now!!

  • ElaineNY

Posted 2/7/2009 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
The only issue I had was the insomnia. I didn't gain weight and my GI tract got SO much better, and rather quickly.

There were a couple of times that I had joint pain but it wasn't really pain, just stiffness.
Posted 2/7/2009 3:21 AM (GMT 0)
Elaine, is it possible your anti-anxiety meds have played a role in your UC symptoms?

Posted 2/7/2009 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Elaine,
I've been on pred. for about 4 yrs. now. I just has a total colectomy in Dec. (woo hoo-no more u/c) tongue but they wanted me on a slow taper post surgery.
So, I've gotten most of the symptoms. moon face (the Dr.s are always "I can tell you're on pred b/c of your face" gee that makes a girl feel good!
weight gain, insomnia (which I have pretty bad right now when the pred. peaks at night b/c doc has me taking it twice a day), i get really irritable 'roid rage', eye probs, but u/c gave me probs to, high blood pressure and tachycardia, osteopenia, sweating, headache, gastritis, hair loss, acne, pupd, yada yada yada, and it's messing with my clotting times (a new diagnoses);
NE WHO,
It's one of those drugs that we love/hate, but for some (me) it's all that works. Soon I will be off it FOREVER (well, maybe not forever, but I can hope.....)
Most people take it only short term. Hopefully you will too!

It does give you lots of energy, so you can clean your house all night long!
Posted 2/7/2009 4:55 AM (GMT 0)
Leg cramps are pretty common, usually at night, and they can be quite severe. These are usually related to a potassium deficiency, so eating a banana or drinking a glass of orange juice before bedtime will often prevent them.

Good luck!
Posted 2/7/2009 2:57 PM (GMT 0)

Well, I took my very first dose this morning.  I hope all the GOOD things happen to me and not so many of the bad.

Judy - I can't eat bananas or drink orange juice because of digestive problems so hope the leg cramps are minimal.

Mitzo - just the oppositive - I believe anxiety and stress brought it on and the Xanax helps me relax and stay calm which helps the UC.  I started having problems when my husband got lung cancer - could not have made it without the Xanax. 

Thanks everyone!  I will know in a few days I suppose - lots of bleeding this morning so hoping this works!!

ElaineNY

Posted 2/7/2009 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
I hope it works for you, quick! But you need to figure out how to get some potassium into your diet. I would get cramps in my feet that were very painful if I didn't eat bananas.
Posted 2/10/2009 2:43 AM (GMT 0)
I got most of the symptoms except insomnia, Prednisone makes me really tired, so I never had an issue with sleeping.

The worst side effect has been the moon face, and joint aches and pains, i can barely walk sometimes. Also, the one side effect they don't tell you about is stretch marks, and its not like the normal stretch marks, these are long, wide and bright red/purple. I got them on my stomach and the upper under arm, but you can see them on the sides of my arms. I never knew this was possible or even a side effect, now im stuck with large scars. I was on pred for 5 months at 60mg, I have now been off it for 1 month, and I am sooooo happy :)

Posted 2/10/2009 3:08 AM (GMT 0)

sunshine - never new about the stretch marks.  At age 68 I have them all - wrinkles, etc. anyway.  I lost over 100 lbs. twice in my life so I have lots of those!

I will be tapering down to 20 mg. within a month so hope none of the other side effects bother me.  Funny (maybe) that you have aches and pains while mine are already MUCH better - my arthritis in joints is much less painful and hope it remains so. Being very obese I already have a moon face and rounded back.

ElaineNY

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