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Posted 12/29/2009 12:02 PM (GMT -7)
Okay, I'm beginning to feel like taking prednisone is ruining my life. I've been at 40 mg since November 4. I can't begin to taper down as I'm still bleeding. My next appt is Feb 8 so hopefully the GI will say I can start the taper...but I digress.

I dont even feel like myself anymore. Besides the weight gain and moon face taking a toll on my self-esteem I feel like an emotional wreck. Im overly emotional, I'm getting angry at the slightest things. Some days I feel depressed, other days I'm fine. All this instablity is starting to wreak havoc on my relationship.

Im just wondering if anyone else is having similar issues due to the prednisone. Or am I just crazy?

Thanks everyone. Hope you're enjoying the holidays!!!
Posted 12/29/2009 12:08 PM (GMT -7)
Prednisone can definitely give crazy mood swings. So, try to explain that to your partner and if you can, put in an extra effort to avoid stressful situations.
Posted 12/29/2009 12:24 PM (GMT -7)

cac8705 said...
Okay, I'm beginning to feel like taking prednisone is ruining my life. I've been at 40 mg since November 4. I can't begin to taper down as I'm still bleeding. My next appt is Feb 8 so hopefully the GI will say I can start the taper...but I digress.

I dont even feel like myself anymore. Besides the weight gain and moon face taking a toll on my self-esteem I feel like an emotional wreck. Im overly emotional, I'm getting angry at the slightest things. Some days I feel depressed, other days I'm fine. All this instablity is starting to wreak havoc on my relationship.

Im just wondering if anyone else is having similar issues due to the prednisone. Or am I just crazy?

Thanks everyone. Hope you're enjoying the holidays!!!

Its normal. I go through the same thing from time to time and I've been on pred for waaaaaaaaay too long.
Posted 12/29/2009 12:32 PM (GMT -7)
Unfortunately what you describe is normal - for me anyway! I have been on it this time around since the summer (waiting for JPouch surgery in 2 weeks) but it makes me crazy, testy, from happy to sad in 2 seconds, cranky with the kids to then feeling on top of the world and ridiculously happy. Oh, and the insomnia. Before this I was a relatively normal person.... chilled and chirpy. I am taking valium to deal with the effects of it.

Horrible drug to stay on - one of the reasons I am getting the surgery as its the only thing that works now - and not all that well.

Your not crazy - just 'roiding it'!

I hope you find something that works!
Posted 12/29/2009 12:37 PM (GMT -7)
Everything you're describing are typcial side effects from pred, don't worry, once you're off of it and it's out of your system everything will likely go back to normal.

:)
Posted 12/29/2009 1:01 PM (GMT -7)

Answer is YES!  However, it will get better when you can taper, etc.  I was on it 5 months and took Xanax for those times when I felt like I would explode.  My husband got to understand just to sort of tread lightly at those times.  However, the prednisone worked - stopped bleeding, etc.  That is what counts!

ElaineNY

Posted 12/29/2009 5:45 PM (GMT -7)
Gosh, I sure remember those days (check my sig.) The first weekend I was on pred., I took a stepladder and saw out to the yard and cut a 50 foot long yew hedge down by 5 feet! During that time I was flying, I was crashing, my face was mooning to an almost unrecognizable state........but eventually the pred got me out of my flare.

Are you on any rectal meds? Even if your inflammation is throughout, you might ask about rectal meds, because if you can heal the bottom, you'll be more comfortable and - perhaps it will enable you to get to the taper more quickly?

Best of luck to you! Once you are off the pred, you will be yourself again, physically and emotionally.
Posted 12/29/2009 5:49 PM (GMT -7)
Ditto and I had the same results. 40mg got rid of the pain in my abdomen but bleeding, mucus, urgency, and a dozen times on the toilet a day did not change as a result of its usage. After 3 and 1/2 weeks on it and having tapered down to 25mg I finally got my flare under control with the use of psyllium seed powder or a placebo effect associated with its use. Either way, I'm now in remission.
Posted 12/29/2009 6:16 PM (GMT -7)
Thanks guys! I feel a little better knowing that I'm not crazy. But its a little frustrating because like Tap the pain is gone, but the bleeding and mucus has not :(

I've been considering the psyllium seed powder, I will definitely be giving it a try soon. Having this horrible disease is bad enough. Now that my relationship is going down the drain its making matters even worse. I will try to remain positive, sense stressing will not help.
Posted 12/29/2009 6:26 PM (GMT -7)

cac8705 said...
Thanks guys! I feel a little better knowing that I'm not crazy. But its a little frustrating because like Tap the pain is gone, but the bleeding and mucus has not :(

I've been considering the psyllium seed powder, I will definitely be giving it a try soon. Having this horrible disease is bad enough. Now that my relationship is going down the drain its making matters even worse. I will try to remain positive, sense stressing will not help.

I would like to comment on your relationship.  I don't know if it is a husband/wife/friend, etc. but talk with them - make sure they understand it is temporary, you are sorry and that you don't have the control you would like to have.  If this person really cares they will work on understanding.  My husband and I both have taken steroid at different times - it sure can "try" the marriage (we have been married 48 years) but we work on understanding and knowing it won't last forever. 

ElaineNY

Posted 12/29/2009 7:15 PM (GMT -7)
Just another adding YES to the bunch. I was just like that on pred as well. It was horrible. And I know it doesn't help right now, but it WILL pass and these things are temporary. Hang in there-and like Elaine said, be sure to tell your partner that this is temporary and you really are not yourself-because you aren't. I was a horrid person to be around, especially when I was tapering. I can't even tell you how paranoid I got and how many times I searched my husband's cell phone looking for signs he was cheating because I was CONVINCED he was (he really wasn't, of course). I even flipped out one time at this teenage kid in the store-it was awful. I apologized, but I felt so so low. Being on pred was definitely my darkest time-in my entire life. Like LFTC, I will not go back on it-not unless it is that or death.

I agree about rectal meds, probiotics, try the psyllium seed powder. And hang in there-this too shall pass.
Posted 12/29/2009 7:42 PM (GMT -7)
I really can't thank you all enough. Im only 22, the relationship is relatively new, so I'm sure its a little stressful for him as well. He's been supportive, but lately I've just been a maniac. But you all are right, this will all pass!!
Posted 1/3/2010 5:23 PM (GMT -7)
While im not a complete rookie with pred as I have been on prednisone before at 60 mg for a few months at a tiem in the past, but I have been on 80 mg for about a week. I have NEVER felt this weird in my life. I cant focus on anything, my eyes wander and for some reason feel really heavy. Im anxoius and have a ton of nervous energy and i wanna flip for the slightest thing. 2mrw will be my first day back at work since i have been on 80. lets see how the commute goes lol
Posted 1/3/2010 5:45 PM (GMT -7)
Perfectly normal. I always called them "roid rages." The drug worked great on my flare, but yeah no sleep and irritability out the whazoo. Hang in there and try to relax.
Posted 1/3/2010 6:16 PM (GMT -7)
I would have never survived life or a marriage (a little strong, I know) with taking Xanax with my prednisone.  Now - I have been on Xanax for a few years before prednisone but now after reading here I realize how much help it was and why my doctor said "don't forget your Xanax".  It kept me just calm, less emotional and I slept better than most do!

ElaineNY

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