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Panic attacks from Predisone?

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Posted 5/14/2010 2:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there,

Ive been on predisone 40mg for 27days. They have been trying to taper me for 5 months now but everytime they do I start to bleed. I had a massive panic attack wensday and now I just feel fear like im still switched on even though im takeing xanax. Its like Im just scared and I can't eat im pooping all the time just from the fear peeing all the time.

When I told my doctor about what was happening how I was just in a constant state of fear he said go taper to 30mg. My question is has this happened to anyone else on predisone? Did u think your loosing your mind? at first I was just scared I was dieing because ive had alot of werid heath issues. But now im scared the predisone has permantly screwed something up. I can deal with predisone rage and forgetfulness and the euphoira but when it starts shooting out fear to the point of convulsing panic attacks, that just wants me to run to the nut house and say admit me please.

So when im laying there having a panic attack because I can't eat 2 thinks are raceing threw my mind. My stomach has finally snapped should I go to the E.R. and my Mind has snapped should i seek professional help here.  Its a real pickle.  

Posted 5/14/2010 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I had a couple of panic attacks while on prednisone. I think it's normal. However, 40mg of prednisone for 27 straight days seems like too much? I would call your GI. You should be able to taper down to 10-20mg without noticing a change in symptoms. If not, prednisone is not working for you and you should taper off completely and move on to the next available drug. I see you are on Imuran, how long have you been taking it? If you have reached your 6 months and still can't taper prednsione then Imuran isn't working either. It might be time to discuss Remicade.

Sue
Posted 5/14/2010 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hey sue,

Ive been on imuran for about 2 months. We are hopeing it will kick in finally. He said for me to taper to 30 this week and then taper to 20 next week when I told him about my werid symptoms. I really think my body is imune to the predisone or resistant or something because this last month when I went from 20 to 40 my body didn't respond the same it useally takes about 3 days to respond and this time it took about 3 weeks. I'll tell u this I would rather have my mind back and have blood and mucus and toliet trips. I just hope they can find a way to turn off this fight or flight reflex I have going on right now. Its horrable. I just feel all clastrophobic like someone has just injected me with pure fear. I have xanax and amitriptylin and abien but thats no way to live. Its pretty scary to when I take a xanax and im still freaked out. This all happened Wensday so im just trying to ride this mess out maybe when i hit next wensday my body would of calmed down some.

Posted 5/14/2010 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone has me all screwed up emotionally too. I've been on since February and my starting dose was 60mg. Which I was on for 4-5 weeks. I had a major break down and my GI tapered me from 60-30 in a week. That quick taper made me completely crazy and of course my colon flared again. Anyhow, the point is. Tapering quickly 40 to 30 mg is NOT going to help you feel better emotionally. It's going to probably IMHO make the panic worse. So, go to 35mg, then 30mg. And I wouldn't make each of those steps any quicker than 5 days. What strength is the xanax you are taking? If it's like .25mg try .5mg. When I was at my worst I needed the .5mg.
Posted 5/14/2010 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I had panic attacks but caused by the UC and the situations, wasn't taking prednisone at the time. You're getting a double wammy. That's a long time to be on that much prednisone, I'm sorry you are suffering.

What exactly is keeping you from eating?
Posted 5/14/2010 5:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there,

When I eat I feel this prickling sensation in my gut and on my sides and I just don't get hungery but the werid thing is when I get upset or excited I get a pain in there. So I don't know if its gastristis from the predisone,or im so worked up from panicing for so long its in my head or what. My gastro can't do a scope on me right now because im on the blood thinners. So he gave me kapidex and were hopeing for the best.

Posted 5/14/2010 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
That sounds like you are psyching yourself out of being able to eat. Can you get some therapy for your head?
I think it might help you. Worth a try.

Can you try drinking Ensure? You need some nutrition!
Posted 5/14/2010 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
The last time I was on pred I was taking 40 mg for about a week then suddenly I felt like I wanted to jump out of my skin. Did not feel like my normal self at all. Spoke to my GI and I weaned off as safely and quickly as possible. I went on Effexor XR during this time b/c I didn't like the way I was feeling. I felt so much better after starting the Effexor, literally within a week. Hang in there.
Posted 5/14/2010 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Andrew Weil, the health guru, recommends omega-3 fish oil and B complex to help with OCD and panic attacks. Some here on this forum have found fish oil helpful for IBD also.
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