hoping for prednisone magic

I was up 17 times during the night, blowing out more than the few ounces of fluid I was taking in. By 3 am, my lips were dry and fire red, my heart was pounding and my head felt like it was going to explode. I came out to the kitchen to refill my glass and poured sticky juice all over the floor...argggghh!

So, I'm laying on the couch this morning with no energy and I remembered I could take the prednisone I was prescribed. I somehow ate a banana and swallowed those eight little pills, I promptly fell asleep again and woke up around noon. I feel different in a better way. Certainly not good, but I no longer feel like dying is a viable option.

Can prednisone work this fast, or am I feeling the effects of the banana? My mom also brought me some pedialyte and shortly after I took some of that I had a poop that wasn't diarrhea! I am impressed!

So, thanks for reading my 'I need someone to know how bad I'm feeling' story, but here's what I'm hoping for some input on:

Did I do the right thing to wait to take the prednisone? (the doc in emerg who prescribed it(last week) gave me a 40mg dose for seven days, no taper...I will be seeing my GP in 6 days from today). the pharmacist who filled my prescription seemed alarmed that I didn't have a taper or would be seeing a doc before the script was done.

If I have a bacterial infection from my water which I'm suspecting, does taking prednisone actually put me at greater risk of infection?

Finally, since I've been on clear fluids (yesterday I added some boiled chicken breast to my stock which exploded out of me 2 1/2 hours later, no warning either (I was HOME! thank goodness, this is such a degrading condition) any suggestions on reintroducing foods?

Will the prednisone keep my bowel calm enough to get some probiotic foods in? Is this the time to get some yogurt in me?

garylouisville said...
Do not quit prednisone cold turkey, without a taper, especially at the 40mgs dose! Very bad things can happen, including sudden death. I think you are feeling better because of the pred. It can work that quick.

I totally agree-

It was irresponsible for the doc to not prescribe a taper.

Carlie

Yes it can work that fast and I agree with the above-you need a taper of some kind or you are going to be in trouble. I can't believe docs in the ER would be this stupid. They must want the repeat business. I would get in touch with your doctor about the lack of taper and see if he will call you in some more or move up your appt.

The best predinsone is the one administered via I.V. That one is the grand master.

It will stop your flare in record times. The next day you're fine lol.

Probiotic, that's good to know, but you mention the word theory which makes me uncomfortable. How long had you been sick when you did that short and fast stint on prednisone? Do you think it might be chancy for someone who has been in a chronic high stress situation? I know mainstream medicine doesn't believe in adrenal fatigue, but I'm thinking this could be a factor.

I'll be seeing my doctor in six days, so hopefully he will prescribe a taper or reassure me that I don't need one. I can't go back to the prescribing doc, he is an emergency room doc and you can't find out who is there and when. I went to emerg because I couldn't get in to my doc before next week, he's that booked up. (hopefully not with flu shot app'ts) My GI went on holidays.

This is the first time I got into real trouble and I'll ask if there was something I could have done differently, but I think they'll still say 'go to emerg'

This is the downside of the Canadian medical system, you don't have a lot of options, you can't pay to see a doctor. You are lucky to have a doctor, really lucky to have a specialist AND you wait your turn. At least that seems to be the reality in my small city.

Hmmm, I shouldn't be so ungrateful, at least I have some healthcare unlike the vast majority of our fellow earthlings. I'm just frustrated.

Well, I believe it can work fast now, I feel so much better. I'll just have to hope now that some unfortunate circumstances and me making uneducated decisions works out the best for me. I'm going to push for a taper unless my doctor gives some compelling evidence against.

Sort of knocks my confidence that I'm making decisions without my GI and I just want to say how much I appreciate all the feedback.

Christine and others,
Thank you so much for your warnings about prednisone, how else can we learn? Ya, it's scary to be taking drugs that have that much effect. Information will help to minimize the risks (in this case it sounds like a taper).

Thanks for sharing.

I slept all night, YAY!