Prednisone is ruining my relationship

So my gf has UC for about 6 years now and had been in remission for 3 years. In November of this past year (2011) she started getting symptoms again and was in terrible pain. Long story short, after trying everything she decided to go back on prednisone as it had helped her in the past.

She warned me that she could change, that it could effect her mood and that maybe we shouldn't spend as much time together while she was on it. She is being weaned from 7 pills down for 6 weeks (Not sure of the dosage, but I know it's over 10mg). It's not been about 2.5 weeks since she's been on it and things are starting to get bad (They were fine the first week or so).

She's starting to get very short with me, not as talkative, sex drive is down and we just haven't been enjoying each others company like we always have. Let me say that this is the girl of my dreams, this is a girl that I've had the best relationship with ever until this.

She's been telling me that maybe we should take a break until after she's off the steroid, but I don't want that. I want to stand by her side and help her through this. The other side of the coin is that I don't want the way she's been treating me to do too much damage to the point where it ruins us.

I am 30 years old and very strong willed. I know I can handle being with her through this, but I just don't know what to do.

Can anyone help?

Its good to hear that you want to stand by her. Pred is a very nasty drug. My poor family while I was on it. I did feel for them because I was way worse than any PMS epidsode. With that said, she worries that she may say something she will regret. You don't want this to ruin your relationship. This is not something she can control and if it is making her feel better then its definetly something she needs to take. I agree with Michelejc-give her a little space but keep in contact. Do something nice for her etc. And if you feel this person may be the one for you, know that she may need to take it again in the future.

 My husband can sympathize with you. lol I have been on pred now since the end of Jan and every time I am on it I go off about everything.  Everything irritates me and I am so anxious it is crazy.  Everything has to be perfect and everyone and everything pisses me off.  My husband ignores most of it.  He doesn't like it but 9 times out of 10 he just keeps his mouth shut.  He knows if he says anything back to me it will just make it worse because I will really go off.  I apologize all the time and i feel horrible to him and my kids because I go off all day long.  I hate it but I need to be on it right now.  I will be on it until the middle of May and it sucks.  Just stick by her and try to blow it off and know that it isn't her.  I usually don't act like this and it was funny when I had my scope and the doctor told me I had to go on the pred my husband said oh great the crazy drug and the doctor said what does she go crazy and he was like oh yeah she goes off.  He just laughs it off.  I know it is hard for him sometimes because he will say god you are always b....ing at me.  I told him I can't help it and I can't.  I try to not get so mad and upset but you just can't stop.  Know that she feels bad and we don't like to be like that either.  It is hard to live with a chronic diesese.  You sound like a great guy.  Most wouldn't won't to put up with UC at all.  Good luck. 

I was a real b1tch when I went from 40 to 30 mg prednisone, I told my mother to shut the f*k up which I have never done before. Even tho I realize its hard, try to keep the effects of the prednisone in mind, it will pass over time as she gets out of the medicine

I have been on 40 mg since September.  I asked my 17 yr old son the other day if he had seen any change in me.  He said that it seemed like I realize the drug makes me crazy so I hold it in (often during times I shouldn't) until something finally makes me snap.  When I snap, he said I really really go off.

He said besides that and my crazy dessert cooking fetish that has been going on since Prednisone, he thought I was pretty much the same. (Yes... I tend to want to bake desserts at weird times of the evening for no apparent reason. )

Best advice is what has already been given... give her space and just go with her flow.  If she wants to bake, let her bake.  If she wants to be alone, leave her alone.  Old school Tae bo (sort of like kickboxing) has been wonderful for me.... I get to throw punches and kicks to relieve agression! And for heaven's sake.... Do NOT ask her every 5 minutes if she is okay or feeling alright.  My hubby does that everytime he sees me and everytime I come out of the bathroom.  It is sooooo annoying!

40&crashing-I didn't think there was a bad time to make desserts? ;)

Sorry OT I know...can you tell I'm still dieting? UGH

I agree w WiMom. I was the same, the smallest thing would drive me crazy, yelling at the kids all the time, apologizing afterwards. My husband and I didn't realize what was going on at first. Then it was a compromise between him not taking anything seriously, and me trying my hardest to control myself.

We all have different ways of dealing with this disease, however I'm concerned about your gf request for you to stay away. Isolating herself isn't realistic. Sometimes it takes months of pred to see effects. Are you going to wait for her for months? What happens the next flare?

Amongst all the crabbyness I also had good days where I felt normal and my husband was reminded of who I really was and that this wasn't going to last forever. If he hadn't been with me every day, living through it, he wouldn't have been reminded of this.

Congrats for wanting to stick it out with your girlfriend. It sounds like she's found a true gem. I hope you all can work something out, and I wish her the speediest recovery.

Update: We've had a much better time of it since Wed. Things are def looking up. Thanks again everyone.

Thank you very much, you helped me a lot during a really tough stretch. She's apologized a lot and is really trying to make things right.