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Hydrocortisone pre-med causing anxiety?

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Posted 6/10/2015 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Since I started on Remicade a couple of months ago I have had a sharp increase in my anxiety levels. They give me Hydrocortisone 100mg via IV prior to infusion and so I've had that three times in the last 8 weeks. Does anyone know how long that stuff would stay in my system? I have been feeling very similarly to how I would feel when on Prednisone. I had previously written it off as generalised anxiety (which comes and goes anyway) but I just read another post about it and alarm bells are now ringing.

Thanks in advance!
Posted 6/10/2015 7:52 PM (GMT 0)
I think a few days to flush out at the most, likely most flushes in 1st 24 hours.
Posted 6/10/2015 9:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm, thanks. It's been a week since my last one. Interestingly I feel alright today. Yesterday was the opposite.
Posted 6/10/2015 9:28 PM (GMT 0)
LOL I had that exact question today
so my doctor prescribed hydrocortisone as a premed for remicade and I really didnt want to take more steroids as I am already on Medrol and cortifoam
so i called the infusion center and I spoke to a nurse who checked it up she said the reason doctors like to give it is because it peaks within 1-2 hours so that is during the remicade and that will prevent reactions or minimize them
also it stays in your system for only 8-10 hours max
however it could be the anxiety is from withdrawal
but i dont think it is because of the hydrocortisone as a premed from a week ago
hope you can get your anxiety sorted out cuz it can really be a bummer
does taking long slow deep breaths help you?
Posted 6/11/2015 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
It's an interesting one. I have struggled with mild anxiety for many years but this is different. Prednisone turns me into a wild animal, as if I've lost all executive brain function. The feeling I've had lately has been very similar, though not persistent and not quite as intense. It's as if fight-or-flight switches on for no reason. Last infusion was a week ago and today I have been fine, back to my usual self. I wonder if these Hydrocortisone doses have been messing with my adrenals?

Deep breaths don't really help. Maybe a little bit. Valium works well. As does wine. :)
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