How to deal with side effects of pred?

Exercise is the best thing I could find to help fight the side effects of Prednisone.
Don't push yourself too hard, but you need to push it somewhat. Run, walk, swim, lift or whatever you find enjoyable, or at least somewhat enjoyable.

Try to have healthy food around so you don't load up on carbs.

Do what you can to get a good night sleep. Insomnia is an common side effect. There are plenty of things out there you can try. Just don't take something that could be habit forming.

When you feel yourself getting all wound up over the littlest thing get away from everybody and give yourself a chance to settle down.

It's a horrible drug, but it does help. Hopefully you'll be able to get off it quickly.

I agree that exercise can be a good way to cope if you can manage to do some. I ended up seeing a psychiatrist and got on an antiderpessant because I was in such a funk. I don't think seeing someone is a bad idea if you're really struggling. I also had to take sleeping pills or I was unable to sleep. The best thing was finally getting off of the substance but I know that's easier said than done. It is temporary, just remember that.

DHEA helped me tons!!!!!!!!!!! My dr had me match the pred mg with DHEA mg. I believe it stopped me from commiting a violent crime lol j/k ....kinda or seriously loosing it aka my mind! Also I was very weak sore depressed sick and emotionally unstable . I forced myself to do circle in the yard ,walking for at least 10mins a day (like a prison yard) I did the laps! ..........hope u don't have to a drug u don't wanna . Ps my ND added blind writing. U go alone no distraction and write all and every evil thought down for 20mins. No ones to read it ,just helps unload the mental burdens. It does help. I don't set a time just whe. I feel the extra thoughts coming I write em down. .........then burn em LOL ! Goodluck andrina

Exercising feels like a heart attack until the dose comes down, now lifting weights happily.

I was ready to boot my daughter out for not doing her chores on this big house I bought, I was livid about having to follow up on her one more time. Then I was riding my mountain bike in open space out back and saw her and friends running the paths around house and hitting the in-ground tamp and realized she makes it REAL being here and my house is the most live house on the block because she has so many friends ( we only moved 10 doors down the street ).

Funny thing is as emotional as pred makes me it actually worked the other way where I felt a lot of love for her and I was not going to yell at her.

Pred rapidly and abruptly changes my mood - that is the biggest problem, coping means explaining it to people and I have bit my tongue at work.

"Perhaps the most difficult side effect to deal with is that of constant mood swings. It can be very difficult on family members because at one time a patient may feel fine and within the next few minutes feel very agitated and even angry. It can be compared to Manic Depression as far symptoms."

"The best thing a patient can have is a good family support group who is going to deal with mood changes and understand that everything is temporary. In most cases steroids are used only for flares and when it passes, all of the problems regarding weight and mood swings will pass when a patient gets back to their regular (or in some case no) medicinal regimen.
Ulcerative Colitis creates problems. The majority of medicines don't cause major problems; however, steroid treatment definitely does cause problems. In order to survive your illness it is important to have a good support group and keep telling yourself that a flare doesn't last forever."