Post-Prednisone Depression

I just posted this on the depression board, as I wasn't really sure where it would best go. I think there may be an advantage here, as some asthmatic people may have experienced this as well.

I was on-and-off Prednisone (and Methylpred) among other medications (including Theophylline) from December to March in order to help me with Chronic Asthmatic Bronchitis. I had it really bad for about three months, and at times would use up my 200 puff rescue inhaler in about a week! I was in and out of my doctor's office and started going to an asthma clinic. Well, I finally began taking Advair about 3 weeks ago and my asthmatic/bronchial symptoms are gone! However, I've been feeling very depressed over the last few of weeks. I'm aware that this is a common side effect from Prednisone, however, I've been now off Prednisone for a month. I'm not sure if this is normal?

I have terrible sleeping patterns; stay up all night and sleep in the morning/daytime, and sometimes go full days without sleeping. When I do sleep and wake up, I feel like I could keep on sleeping, even if I've already had 8 or so hours of sleep. Many times I end up sleeping up to 12 hours! I have little to no energy; feel fatigued even though I have no reason to be (been taking One-A-Day vitamins for about 3 weeks). I'm not motivated to go to school or work.

My life has gone downhill since the Bronchial/Asthmatic symptoms started, as I stopped going to school and work, and now that I can finally breathe and don't have any weezing, I have this going on, and it's just making me even more depressed!!

A little background on me, which may help. I have pretty bad anxiety and OCD. My father passed away, somewhat suddenly, a little over a year and a half ago, and was depressed then for several weeks but subsequently improved and went back to normal until this past winter when I fell very sick.

Has anyone been depressed from Prednisone? If so, how long did these symptoms last? Is there anything I can do to remedy my depression?

Melatonin might help with the sleep, anytime your sleep deprived it can cause all kinds
of things to go out a wack, might want to go get check out by your pcp (primary care physician)
Blood work like Sherry mention would be a good start maybe also have your B-12 checked.
Hope your feeling better soon and many sympathies about your Father, that will take time
and lots of to over come, so give yourself a break on that, the loss of a parent or child can
take years to get over...my smypathies on that...