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Posted 6/27/2011 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
So im completely off prednisone and other than my vision being blurry and having 2-4 BM a day, now i've been getting light headaches when I got off it. Light headaches for 5 days straight now. The headaches are off and on throughout the day. Anyone experience this?


QUESTION: Do you think prednisone affects your memory?
I tend to forget EVERYTHING since the time I first took it. I would forget things like, pay a bill, homework thats due, tasks for the day, I would take my meds and 15min later would have to ask someone if they saw me take it. I go to my room and ask myself what did I come here to get? lol I used to be able to remember someones phone number today if they gave it to me yesterday! or am I just getting old? Also, I am kind of depressed so maybe I just dont care.


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SHORT STORY about NOT TAPERING OFF- (In case, anyone is deciding not to taper off, read this)
I have gotten really REALLY strong headaches a year ago when I didnt taper off and just stopped completely while on 20mg. I didnt know how serious it was to taper off and doctor never told me smh. When I mean strong, I mean REALLYYYYY strong headaches, I couldnt get out the house. Just by walking, every step I took made my head feel like it was going to burst! I never experienced anything like it. I couldnt take it anymore and went to the ER. What did they do? After I told them that I was taking advil for 4 days straight they told me that im a big guy and maybe I should be taking MORE. Then I learned from my GI that people with UC shouldnt be taking advil. ER doctors smh!

Post Edited (Ernee) : 6/27/2011 11:12:43 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/27/2011 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
what other meds are you on? how old are you? whats your uc history? bad headaches/migraines for me were related to sulfasalazine. I used Moltrin even though we're not supposed to and it did the job. My memory is also somewhat shot although I have no idea if its due to the long term prednisone use or tapering.

The noticable side effects for me were weakness (40lb bench and 60pound squat loss in less than a week), loss of appetite, nausea, joint pain, irritability and some general discomfort as well as a few more trips to the bathroom.
Posted 6/28/2011 5:10 AM (GMT 0)
Im not taking pred anymore, just got off it so I am now only taking Asacol. Just turned 24. Had UC for 4 years and had to take pred every year. Always on Asacol. Only had strong headaches from it one time before when I didnt taper off and this time when I did taper off but thank god its only light headaches this time!

I didnt experience loss of appetite like u did but nausea and joint pain, yes. Along with mood change, cant concentrate, acne and bad vision.

Post Edited (Ernee) : 6/27/2011 11:13:47 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/28/2011 5:44 PM (GMT 0)
I couldn't concentrate well when I was on prednisone and for a while after I got off of it. I didn't read a book for almost a year!
Posted 6/28/2011 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
I have CRS now (can't remember ****) and horrible, terrible, awful joint pain.

Was on pred for 4 years, got off it June 9th.
Posted 6/28/2011 7:27 PM (GMT 0)

Ernee said...
Im not taking pred anymore, just got off it so I am now only taking Asacol. Just turned 24. Had UC for 4 years and had to take pred every year. Always on Asacol. Only had strong headaches from it one time before when I didnt taper off and this time when I did taper off but thank god its only light headaches this time!

I didnt experience loss of appetite like u did but nausea and joint pain, yes. Along with mood change, cant concentrate, acne and bad vision.

From what my doctor told me Asacol is basically just like Sulfasalazine with the Sulfa component taken out. Apparently Sulfa is the toxic component that can cause the headaches. Maybe you're just allergic or have a reaction to Asacol. You can always try to have your doctor switch you to Sulfasalazine for a while to see if your body tolerates that better and you stop having headaches. On the flip side Sulfasalazine is very cheap compared to Asacol. Im talking about 60$ for 6month supply.

Ive practically been on Prednisone for 8 years but I never had any headache related side effects from it as far as I can tell. Ive dealt with every other side effect though.
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