Could a short Prednisone course have such long-term side-effects?

I was on Prednisone for a three-day course back in December after suffering from a severe allergic reaction from one spoon of honey! I know one is supposed to gradually taper down on these drugs but I had to immediately discontinue the therapy as my insomnia, resulting from it, was making me feel like a zombie the whole day.

Now, what I´m going to describe is very rare and crazy, literally shocking - for me at least. Two weeks after wards I began to notice that I´d developed a sudden intolerance to anything that I ate that contained sugar. From a cake, to a an ice-cream, to a juice, to a candy. I removed it altogether from my diet, then that intolerance slowly spread to caffeine. After removing that, it spread to eating fish. After that, to Stevia sweetner, then to even artificial sweeteners, and ultimately then to a protein shake that I was on since years (as a meal replacement to keep my weight in check), then to milk a couple of weeks ago, and now recently it has spread to yoghurt. Butter too is a suspect but it is still not fully verified as something that triggers off the symptoms.

Now, for anything wondering what "intolerance" signifies and what my symptoms are, first and foremost, insomnia, anxiety, panic, heart pounding, and tremors in the whole body, like an earthquake. Removing all those aforementioned items from my diet does alleviate my suffering, but I´m not sure anyone would be happy to lead a life like I´m leading right now, where you´ve to double check everything you eat.

Any sane person would advise me to see a doctor, but trust my sanity, I´ve seen a dozen of those, from different fields, different specialists. They´re as dumbfounded as you´ll probably be after reading this, a dietitian even going to the extent of terming this as whole new illness altogether in medical science! One thing that I didn´t tell them, or didn´t myself come to think of, was the fact how it all coincided myself having taken and thus withdrawn from a "certain" medicine.

I can´t for a surety blame Prednisone for it, but it is striking that all of this is something that has only come into being following its therapy. Before that, hell, I had no idea what anxiety means at all and how it can feel like. Could this be related in any way, especially since I didn´t taper down on its dose and discontinued it abruptly?

Hello and welcome!

I am sorry to hear of this experience. ..and the confusion and frustration is is surely causing.

Great input above...and I echo the advice of talking with your doctor about the Prednisone connection.

Steroids are known to be problematic with bringing on or exacerbating anxiety.

What may have happened is that the original Rx was a trigger factor for what has now become an anxiety disorder...

Therefore, seeking to treat the anxiety could be your best treatment plan.

Again, talking with your doctor about this, as well as checking out our self help material in the Resources at the top of the main forum page here is recommended.

Beat wishes in finding the answers you need. Post with us anytime for anxiety support!

Scaredy Cat

Thanks for the inputs and the support in general, guys. I did click on the link shared in @Hadricat´s post and read through it. There´s an interesting point about Prednisone, in cases, showing its whole set of side-effects after withdrawal, instead of during the therapy.

I forgot to add to my opening post, I´ve Hypothyroidism and take a medicine for it. Once in June, discontinuing that medicine for five days provided a complete relief from my problems, but the downside of it was the immense tiredness that it caused. After consulting with my Thyroid specialist, I got back on that medicine on a reduced dose. I had two awesome weeks, but then, boom, my symptoms returned! After that, even discontinuing my Thyroid medication, reducing or even replacing it hasn´t helped. The Thyroid specialist is baffled, but my reports are fine she says.

A lot has happened since then. I had an appointment with a cardiologist and told him all this. He was as dumbfounded as I´m myself, but the examination assured that all is well as far is my heart is concerned. I´d also been to my GP to relate to him the connection between the Prednisone therapy and my symptoms, but as you´d expect she wasn´t entirely bought on the theory. In my whole lifetime I´ve never seen a doctor admit to a patient that an X, Y or Z drugs might´ve caused all the troubles. Whereas when they talk about medicines in general they do admit that they can cause severe side-effects, but once a patient is prescribed a drug, headache, constipation or an upset stomach is the maximum that you´ll find them admitting to; and no complaints to be honest, they know their job well and do it effeciently.

So, she was adamant to treat the condition herself and gave me a Beta Blocker, by the name of Metoprolol Succinate, advising me to take it once a day before going to bed. Guess what it did?! It worsened the panic and anxiety, I twice woke up with the feeling that I can´t breathe, and a strange feeling of as if I´m swimming in water whilst lying on my bed, and the tremors were there of course. As for the topic on seeing an endocrinologist, I´ve my next appointment with my GP on Monday after-noon, and will request her for the second time to refer me to him - I don´t know about other countries, but over here in Germany one needs to be referred to a specialist by one´s GP. I hope she does listen to me this time around.

All that aside, there´s an interesting development on my rather bizarre condition: I´ve had three very good nights, perfect ones actually. There were two things that I´d done differently now: one was to literally remove anything unusual from my diet and just stick to our Pakistani flatbread - with the exception of eating a mango a day but that too very early in the morning to let its effect subside by the evening. I might add a note here that fructose intolerance might be on the way, as after eating a mango today I felt as if I´d faint. I had a horrible period of a good 40 minutes, but could be a one-off too, fingers crossed, as mangoes are the last thing that we compromise on. Anyway, the second thing that I´d been doing differently the last three days is to have taken Folic Acids. So it might be a case of a deficiency of something? Will request my GP to do a blood test is well.

A question though, could food allergies trigger anxiety, insomnia and tremors?

super20dan said...
i have been on pred countless times and yes it can have serious side effects but just a 3 day course should not exhibit severe and bizare symtoms like yours. i suspect some food allergy or auto imune disorder but you will need expert medical help on this one. everyone i know thats had side effects including me from pred-it goes away after a few days or week max. this is truly bizare

A question, how is an autoimmune disorder diagnosed and who is the specialist for this?

Scaredy Cat said...
Hi Romeo,

We can really only advise you in terms of anxiety support/management.

If you believe your issues are rooted in some other medical issue...you will just need to keep pushing your doctors for answers. (a consult with an endocrinologist may help you in eliminating or confirming an AI condition, so yes, get that referral if possible)

I hope you find the diagnoses you need...and wish you the best.

If you find that it was indeed anxiety after all...we will be here to help.:)

Peace and progress,

S.C.

Yup, I appreciate the willingness to help me with the bottom of my heart. I feel relieved to have finally found a forum, a platform, a community of people that in the end have faced the similar issues as myself, irrespective of what the reason behind it is. Again, I´ve constantly been to doctors in the recent days and tomorrow morning have blood test. Fingers crossed that we´ll make some discovery in the weeks to come.

I´m myself very keen to soon start a thread and share my tips on coping with anxiety. Sure enough I feel it obligatory upon myself to return some of the help that I´ve received over here.

With peace, love and best wishes!

Do not ever, and neither let any relative or friend, take a medicine by the name of Ciprofloxacin, or any other antibiotic of the same class. To be precise, any antibiotic of Fluoroquinolone or Quinolone class. A trick: all antibiotics that end with "oxacin" belong to the same class. If you get it prescribed, push your doctor for an alternative or better in advance let him know that you can t tolerate that. Not even as eye or ear drops - in ANY form!

Google "Floxie" or "floxed" to read more about it, basically about the number of people´s life it has literally destroyed, mentally, physically, emotionally! It did mine, although I discovered very recently that all my health issues began a week after taking it in January 2016.

If, God forbid, you or a beloved one has taken this in the recent times, then be advised that you should avoid taking any other antibiotics or any other strong type of medicine (such as steroids - by the names of cortisone, Prednisone, Prednisolone etc.) or even NSAID pain-killers (ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Aspirin etc.) for at least half a year after that.
-----------
Tremors, anxiety, panic attacks, brainfog, insomnia, intolerance towards many foods, medicines, vitamins and supplements, concentration issues, light sensitivity, ever-present tingling sensation in my right foot, heart palpitations, difficulty in reading and understanding, spells of severe depression, weakness, fatigue, delayed and slow reactions to situations and questions, spells of memory loss, - despite taking it 15 months ago! It has destroyed the abilities and the intelligence of a poet, an intellectual thinker, a guy known for witty replies and unmatched sense of humour and timing. This poison has changed the personality of a guy named Rawal Afzal - myself that is!

Thanks Romeo,

Some people do have more extreme reactions to certain medications...so we do appreciate you sharing...

...however readers, its important to remember that one person's experience will not necessarily be our own...so taking the prescribed medication by one's doctor is generally safe...and necessary.

Romeo, I hope you continue to find recovery and wellness!

Peace and progress,

S.C.

I feel it's important to try and clear up some information in this thread.

Steroids: A normal (5,10, 20mg) 3 day course of prednisone will not cause long term side effects. This short course will have minimal if any short term side effects and the reason Drs. prescribe it as such. A 3 day course does not need a taper and a person will never be given a taper for a 3 day course ...it's simply not needed.

There can be long term serious side effects from Prednisone/steroids but that can occur when Prednisone/steroids is needed at higher dosages and the more you need them at the higher dosages.

The effects of a 3 day course of a low dose steroid will not cause side effects 2 weeks later, they are out of your body well before 2 weeks.

The food intolerances you experienced would not have anything to do with a 3 day course of a low dose steroid.

There is quite a bit of information about Ciprofloxacin and the others in this family of antibiotics and, yes, there is the potential for long term problems. However, this does not happen every time or with every one.

There are times when there is no other option for treating a bacterial infection but the Cipro family of antibiotics. I have had Cipro 3 different times for this reason ---- without any problems.

To scare others about Prednisone and Cipro without any medical evidence from your Drs. is, in my opinion, reckless and unnecessary --- especially on an Anxiety/Panic Disorder forum.

Hi Rspwed,

My response was in regards to the original poster, not you. If you were to re-read what the original poster had to say you might better understand my response.

Scaredy Cat said...
Thanks Romeo,

Some people do have more extreme reactions to certain medications...so we do appreciate you sharing...

...however readers, its important to remember that one person's experience will not necessarily be our own...so taking the prescribed medication by one's doctor is generally safe...and necessary.

Romeo, I hope you continue to find recovery and wellness!

Peace and progress,

S.C.

Snoopy said...
I feel it's important to try and clear up some information in this thread.

Steroids: A normal (5,10, 20mg) 3 day course of prednisone will not cause long term side effects. This short course will have minimal if any short term side effects and the reason Drs. prescribe it as such. A 3 day course does not need a taper and a person will never be given a taper for a 3 day course ...it's simply not needed.

There can be long term serious side effects from Prednisone/steroids but that can occur when Prednisone/steroids is needed at higher dosages and the more you need them at the higher dosages.

The effects of a 3 day course of a low dose steroid will not cause side effects 2 weeks later, they are out of your body well before 2 weeks.

The food intolerances you experienced would not have anything to do with a 3 day course of a low dose steroid.

There is quite a bit of information about Ciprofloxacin and the others in this family of antibiotics and, yes, there is the potential for long term problems. However, this does not happen every time or with every one.

There are times when there is no other option for treating a bacterial infection but the Cipro family of antibiotics. I have had Cipro 3 different times for this reason ---- without any problems.

To scare others about Prednisone and Cipro without any medical evidence from your Drs. is, in my opinion, reckless and unnecessary --- especially on an Anxiety/Panic Disorder forum.

I fully realise how useful it can be, certainly when a patient is facing a life-threatening infection or no other antibiotics works, and I´d therefore never say that it should be banned (although, when I´m really unwell it slips out of my mouth in frustration!). I don´t think any patient would argue with his doctor as to what kind of medicine he should be given if his life´s at risk. So it should be clear from my side too that it has its advantages in treating certain conditions. Taking Quinolone antibiotics is like diving into the sea, which´s a fair choice to make if you find yourself on Titanic, but at least I wouldn´t if I´m on ground.

Every medicine has side-effects, I won´t contest that, but it can´t be overlooked that there are far too many cases documented about Quinolone antibiotics even on TV channels and by newspaper, even a documentary has been made about it.

"The fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) and levofloxacin (Levaquin) have also been commonly used for uncomplicated cystitis; however, July 2016 FDA recommendations strongly suggest that the fluoroquinolone class be reserved for more serious infections, and only be used if other appropriate antibiotics are not an option.

An FDA safety review found that both oral and injectable fluoroquinolones (also called "quinolones") are associated with disabling side effects involving tendons, muscles, joints, nerves and the central nervous system. These adverse effects can occur soon after administration to weeks after exposure, and may potentially be permanent. Patients should discuss the use of fluoroquinolones with their healthcare provider.

However, the oral fluoroquinolones are appropriate for more complicated UTIs, including pyelonephritis."

^ https://www.drugs.com/article/antibiotics-for-uti.html ^

So again, I apologise if my words scared anyone. Cipro is an option to treat conditions, no two ways about that!

Rspwed said...
I actually blame Cipro for the return of anxiety that I've been dealing with almost constantly for over a year now. My symptoms started within 12 hours of taking the first dose. I quit after 2 doses. I feel much better now, but still fight it daily. I'd never had any kind of sensitivity to medication before, and wasn't nervous at all before taking it, so I'm positive that it was the culprit.
Not everybody will have a problem with it, but I won't let anyone in my family take it. I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

Food intolerance is not my biggest problem anymore man; rather, like yourself, it´s the intolerance that I´ve developed to so many medicines, supplements and vitamins: Magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin E, L-Glutathione, Amino Acids, any antibiotic, any NSAID pain-killer, and most frustratingly, my thyroid medicine and many other medicines. Life truly is awful without my thyroid medicine. And of course, intolerance to water, yes, read again, water! - probably a sensitivity to the chemicals present in the mineral as well as the tap water. Sleep is... well, four out of five nights I wake up 12-14 times at night, this despite being prescribed a sedative. I used to pride myself for having always in life tolerated medicines well and having always completed any antibiotic course without issues. Never in life had I had to contact a doctor again to change any prescribed medicine to another.

Post Edited (Romeo1990) : 4/10/2017 10:52:52 AM (GMT-6)

So to recap...

...what works for some, might cause complications for others.

Each individual must find what is beneficial...and conversely know what Rx's are not suitable for them...and work with their health care professionals for the best treatment plan.

Best to all in every aspect of health.

...and though there is no problem in this thread, I think we've covered the subject...and we can now archive it for reference. 😊

S.C.

Hi Rspwed,

I usually use the username of the person I am responding to. I am used to copy and paste a username but on this site it isn't possible --- so I don't always post the username...unfortunately.

As I stated in my previous post --- my response was not directed at you or your experience, I'm sorry if you took it as such.

Take care!

Rspwed said...
Sorry to hear it's been so tough on you. It's not been that bad for me. I had 2 doses and I was done.
My doctor called it an "adverse reaction". I was a quivering mess for months. But I did not develop all the sensitivities that you have.

I won't discount it, though. Or minimize it.

The only thing that it shows in tests or at least has a medical explanations for my issues is, that my kidneys´ filtration rate is as high as more than a double it should be, and when my reaction was at its peak it was 11 times more than where that rate should be! If someone urinates at such a rate, it´s entirely possible for the toxins from foods, drinks and medicines not to be expelled through the kidneys, and hence they cause me issues by kind of staying in the body.

Let´s see whether it´s that that´s causing the issues, and whether treating that relieves some of my symptoms; if it can be treated at all! I´ve zero knowledge as far as the kidneys are concerned, so no idea....

Rspwed said...
I just saw your post Snoopy. I won't lie, I let it get under my skin. I did more typing than thinking.
I felt like you were minimizing or negating my experience. I hope that was not the case.
A little time and perspective before I post next time.
Just hearing or seeing the word Cipro makes me go a little crazy.

I look at this forum as a place to give and receive support. I'll give you mine if I can.

Nice post! I may add as a footnote, that neither was my intention to scare anyone out there. From my end, I intended well for you all.

Scaredy Cat said...
Aw,

I like how this has wrapped up...

Good job guys...and thank you.

S.C.

Always nice to see a discussion pan out like that.

Post Edited (Romeo1990) : 4/11/2017 1:25:41 AM (GMT-6)