Any suggestions on how to decrease psychological side effects of prednisone?

Can anybody advise on how to manage the psychological side effects of prednisone? I understand that some people take antidepressants. Any information on that? Thanks!

I tried ativan, which was anti-anxiety but not anti-depressant. It helped tremendously with just making me calm down when I would get super jittery. Have you tried it?

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**32 year old female; Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2001; diagnosis changed to Crohn's disease in 2009 (but still only impacts colon)

**Asacol (4800 mg daily), 6-MP (100 mg daily), Prednisone (10 mg daily...for a few more weeks), Nexium (40 mg daily)

**Previous meds: Colazal (allergic); Flagyl (off and on for rectal inflammation); Rowasa (enemas only when needed); various pain meds (but luckily none lately); iron IV infusions (when hemoglobin gets low)

**Thankfully only two major flare-ups...2001 and 2009. Hoping to have another 8 years in between the next one (sadly, I do know there will be a next one).

Thanks a lot for the suggestions. Yes, I am scared of antidepressants too...

I just wanted to add a supportive voice. When they put me on Pred, I had AWFUL psychological side-effects, including anxiety, suicidal thoughts, etc. I did end up taking antidepressants at that time (I requested them), but what really helped was getting that darn pred out of my system.

I agree with the other posts that say it is really important to remember that any odd or unpleasant feelings you have are (1) only the chemicals acting on you and (2) a temporary thing that will go away pretty fast. Just keep it together and stay positive. I made it through some pretty crapty psych. side-effects for weeks, so I am sure you can manage it.

Good luck and make sure to reach out to your support network. You do not have to suffer alone.

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Diagnosed with UC (left-sided) in 2005 with C. Diff infection, massive bleeding and hospitalization
Since 2006, have had 1 moderate flare and a few small ones
Currently having moderate-to-severe flare
Taking Asacol (6/day), Imuran (150mg), Canasa suppository, Chinese herbs, probiotics, Folic Acid, Iron - not sure if any of it does any good.
Just started on hydrocortisone enema. Hopefully that will stop the infernal bleeding!

OMG!! The suicidal feelings of patients on AD are in a very small group of individuals! I had fantastic success taking Celexa for depression after my last god-awful flare. I had ZERO side effects from it. I never treated the depression when I was taking prednisone because I thought it was the prednisone that made me depressed. However, almost a year off of it I was still depressed and learned it was the chronic illness that caused my depression, not the prednisone. It wasn't until after my surgery that I realized how much damage chronic illness had done to me both mentally and physically. Within a few days of starting Celexa the cloud lifted. I am an exercise fanatic and all the exercise in the world was not curing my depression. There's a difference between getting the blues and using exercise for that, and being diagnosed clinically depressed. I have known hundreds of people who have taken short courses of AD, like me, and not one of them had the thoughts of suicide. If you are severely depressed you need treatment whether it be counseling, drug therapy, or a combination of the two.

Sue

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dx proctitis in 1987
dx UC in 1991, was stable until 1998

1998 started prednisone, asacol, pentasa, nortriptylene, ativan, 6MP, rowasa enemas and suppositories, hydrocortisone enemas, tried the SCD diet, being a vegetarian, omega 3s, flax, pranic healing, yoga, acupuncture, probiotics

2000 lost all my B-12 stores and became anemic

2001 opted for j-pouch surgery- now living life med-free

Just so I am not misunderstood: I did NOT mean to suggest that guila should not take anti-depressants. They can definitely help. I have taken them on more than one occasion and they have worked well for me.
Do what you have to do to feel better: drug therapy, therapy, meditation, support network. I would suggest all of them!

Post Edited By Moderator (Lonie) : 11/14/2009 9:31:50 AM (GMT-7)

I pop a very low dose of xanax or valium as needed; I always have them on hand. I rarely use them but when on high doses of prednisone in the past they really helped when I had anxiety. I don't have a tendancy to become adicted to things though. My doctor wanted to put me on something continuous but I prefer to self medicate as needed. Most of the time I enjoy having a clear head knowing I'm not on some mind altering medication. If you need something for depression then you should probably take what your doctor recommends; I know many that are much better as a result. Don't be afraid of what your doctor prescribes but do your own research to make certain you agree.

UC 25 yrs, epilespy 30 yrs

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