pred + depression

I can handle the hunger, insomnia, night sweats and moon face. The crying spells, depression and anger are so intense they are scary for me sometimes. I know I'm on too high a dose of pred still, even while tapering (what turned out to be sciatica presented as a flare, started pred and then was scoped to learn I'm completely in remission).

How do you handle the crying spells/depression/panic attacks? Should I ask for short term antidepressants? I'm finding myself turning down invites because I'm afraid I'll burst into tears at a party or something...Oh, also apparently I have sciatica which is incredibly painful.

This is depressing and what a terrible time of year to feel sad. I hear ts, I had quite the pity party the last couple of days. I gave in and had a good cry then I watched AFV and felt a little better!. Good luck

I went from 40 mg to 20 mg. A good move UC wise but I hit the floor. Depressed out of my mind after I'd been flying as high as a kite. I didn't have taper problems until I hit 10 and below. But that's a digression. Get an anti-depressant unless you are bipolar like me. I ended up on Zyprexa, an atypical anti-psychotic. It's a good drug. Be well

I disagree heartily with all those who recommend drugs or psychiatric treatment for the SIDE EFFECTS OF ANOTHER DRUG?! Baloney! If the original poster didn't have a problem with mood swings and depression until he took Prednisone, there is no reason for her to seek treatment. I am just finishing a taper from Prednisone and I had horrible mood swings and depression on that drug. I am only 0 Pred for four days and already I feel psychologically much improved. From the research I've done on these boards it is a VERY COMMON occurance while tapering. Please ride it out, taper down slowly, remind yourself it is the drug, and get well soon.

I had to take antidepressants last time I was on pred because I was so emotionally unbalanced and depressed.

I disagree heartily with all those who recommend drugs or psychiatric treatment for the SIDE EFFECTS OF ANOTHER DRUG?! I am just finishing a taper from Prednisone and I had horrible mood swings and depression on that drug. I am only 0 Pred for four days and already I feel psychologically much improved.

I am familiar with depression and I would suggest you go see a psychiatrist ASAP and get on anti depressant meds like Prozan,Zoloft etc. and you will be glad you did it ..because these meds will lift your mood, stop crying spells and improve sleep and energy level. Moreover, they reduce stress and therefore, decrease chances of recurrent flares of UC. Please get your depression treated.


Interesting comments in this thread. A couple of questions though.
Since it takes a couple of weeks for anti-d's to take effect, wouldn't you already be halfway thru or more of the pred taper by the time the antidepressants take over?

NSSG seemed to imply that taking anti-depressants can be temporary and easily get off of them. Or is it be hard quitting them with side effects including depression until the antidepressants are completely out of your system? Unless you want to stay on them permanently.

I dunno, just asking. FWIW I heard that Wellbutrin is one anti-depressant that can actually regulate IBD symptoms. Others have said that Effexor or some other anti-ds have helped with IBD. There are many threads on this. Of course speak with your doctor.

There's nothing masochistic about not wanting to take another drug with MORE side effects and MORE tapering because of the side effects of the original drug. Far too many SSRI meds are neither safe nor effective and can bring a host of uncomfortable and bizarre side effects. Introducing another drug with a compromised immune and adrenal system is just MORE suffering. Current medical protocol is to taper Prednisone slowly and allow up to six weeks for withdrawal symptoms to subside, sometimes with the aid of mild tranquilizer. Pharmacological intervention is only used if the patient has an acute psychotic event.

See: http://www.april.org.uk/main/index.php?uid=251

Never had depression on pred. Had everything else though! I do get a little ratty but I think that's just me too! But I also know it's all temporary and keep reminding myself that

I think the general consensus for antidepressants for actually treating depression (at least in the unpublished trials) is that they aren't any more effective than the placebo. Of course, doctors don't bother to read all the data, so they mindlessly prescribe them to unsuspecting and vulnerable patients. This becomes another hell because they'll have to withdraw at some point.

My advice would be to "ride it out" as people are saying here. This isn't the same thing as "tough it up". I encourage you to read up on alternate modalities for treating depression. Old Mike recently posted a thread about saffron extract treating depression just as effectively as medicines, but without all the nasty side-effects. Then there are things like curcumin, getting enough sleep and stress reduction techniques such as meditation, yoga.

Good luck. I know how tough it can be. Getting to the root cause of the mind's problems is like taking Buddha's journey. It can only be done by looking within.

I ended up calling my psychiatrist, because the crying spells at work were embarrassing and preventing me from doing my job well. I've been on paxil for years, and she upped the dose temporarily until I finish tapering off the pred, then I'll taper down on paxil as well. I wish I didn't feel like I had to turn to drugs, but after the 3rd or 4th panic attack in 2 weeks I needed help.

I've also been on Wellbutrin for years, it helps with both depression and ADD. My friends and family definitely comment when I miss a dose. I didn't realize it could be helping with the IBD as well, but it's not something I'm planning to go off of any time soon.

I've also started PT for the sciatica, and I think it's going to be the most helpful thing I can do for myself right now. Getting rid of the constant pain will ease the depression which will lessen the stress which will help with the IBD. I'm a much bigger fan of the idea of PT than hydrocodone which the doctor originally suggested (which, by the way, is not good for IBD!)

TL;DR I'm a mess, but things are coming together.

Yes it helps to know you're not alone. If you do have a meditative practice it helps you to recognize "foreign" or "false" thoughts. Prednisone commonly leads to "racing" thoughts and for me, an agitated state of mind with some pretty bleak thoughts. I also lost interest in the things I usually am drawn to....and I knew my state of mind was entirely brought on by the drug.

On day six of zero Pred, I do believe all this is beginning to resolve, though it may take weeks or a month to fully clear. Could be simply adrenal fatigue, so interesting these hormones, so powerful.

If you don't have a meditative practice, I saw a bumpersticker on a car that can help you: "DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK"

But if it ever comes to suicidal thoughts don't hesitate to ask a professional for help.

May we all be well!