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Post-Prednisone Depression?

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Posted 8/28/2011 9:59 AM (GMT -8)
I know depression and mood changes can happen while you're on Prednisone, and I definitely experienced a bit of that.

But I've been off of Prednisone for 6 days now, and have been crying almost constantly for about 4 of those days. I don't have any history of depression (though my family does) so this is feeling pretty overwhelming.

Have people experienced this once quitting Prednisone? I'm also worried because I'm still on Cortenemas and Proctofoam, so I imagine there are still steroids in my bloodstream and that being on those could prolong this depressive episode.
Posted 8/28/2011 11:50 AM (GMT -8)
Yes! I feel like pred set off some post pardom depression for me. I was fine the 2 months after I had my 2nd child, then I had to take pred and bam I had depression big time. I tapered quickly off the pred, but the depression remained. I ended up going on a low dose of Effexor XR and felt better within a week, was on it for 1 year. Hang in there!
Posted 8/29/2011 5:20 AM (GMT -8)
I'm sorry you are going through a tough patch--I've definitely been there. Prednisone, particularly at high doses, causes me to become depressed after I stop taking it. The last time it seemed to related to my adrenal glands having difficulty "waking up." If it persists, you may want to see about going to an endocrinologist.
Take care and keep your chin up!
B
Posted 8/29/2011 5:53 AM (GMT -8)
that happened to me too, I cried for about 2 months straight after getting off pred (I was on it for 4 years) also my muscles and joints had terrible pain, I had a hard time walking for 2 months, I am finally getting better and have found my chin smilewinkgrin
Posted 8/30/2011 11:24 AM (GMT -8)
Oy, well thanks for the replies! At least I know the cause. Unfortunately, I also just broke up with my boyfriend yesterday, so that on top of the pred depression is making for a pretty hard week...
Posted 8/30/2011 8:06 PM (GMT -8)
I actually went nuts (steroid psychosis) when off pred for awhile. It was cured by another flare and the reintroduction of prednisone. (yuck) I'm OK now and off prednisone, 8 months. Taking Lexapro and Wellbutrin.
Posted 8/31/2011 8:21 PM (GMT -8)
It's true-- your endocrine system needs time to readjust after Pred. Plus breaking up with significant other is added stress. Be very kind to yourself, and try to stay positive. These things take a while to work through. Today I was sorting some 15 yr-old personal papers related to workplace events after I had recovered from a severe UC flare. We had scant heat during a very cold winter plus a psychotic worker who kept opening windows! I went to speak to a supervisor about this & burst out crying-- very atypical, but that was after the one flare I had to subdue with Prednisone. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 9/1/2011 2:52 PM (GMT -8)
I went into a severe clinical depression after a 2 month taper of Prednisone. I seemed to be especially sensitive to that side effect. I was put on an antidepressant and sedatives during course , but after I stopped the Prednisone the depression became increasing worse. It was all I could do to just sit in chair and try not to scream.
Eventually, I had to see a psychiatrist and was put on a lot of Psych meds. I am still dealing with this 6 months later, though finally much improved. I will never take Prednisone again. I told my Docs, I would rather lose my colon than go thru that again.
Posted 9/1/2011 4:14 PM (GMT -8)
I will cast my vote for post pred depression as well. I got down to 10mg this week and became a weeping fool compared to when I started I felt like I could take on the world. I also think I get super fatigued after taking it....like my body is going at 100mph and then when you come off you hit a wall and collapse.
Posted 9/4/2011 8:17 AM (GMT -8)
Any thoughts on whether being on steroid enemas for a long period (a few months now) could be contributing to the depression as well?? I'm thinking about starting to taper off of them early (my GI wanted me to wait a couple more weeks) just because I'm so miserable emotionally.
Posted 9/5/2011 7:18 AM (GMT -8)
Hiya I have a slightly different experience, I have been on and off prednisolone for almost 10 years with no ill efects until aug last year. I had side-effects such as moon face and weight gain for the first time.

Whilst in remission 2 years ago I split up with my boyfriend and got depression for the first time. I was put on anti-depressants, which worked for about a year-until I was hospitalised with UC aug of last year, injected with hydrocortisone for 2 weeks). Whilst in hospital the depresssion returned with a vengeance (despite being on anti-depressants). A few months after being discharged, my anti-depressants were doubled as I felt dreadful.

I have stopped the prednisolone but it had no effect on the depession. I still feel awful even now but have run out of ideas. I don't enjoy life and blame most of it on my UC. I think that being ill is enough to cause depression.
Posted 9/5/2011 8:39 PM (GMT -8)
I am on a 2-3 week course of it right now. And halfway through, I can tell I'm not as "wired" as I was when I began it. I am cutting the dose in half in a few days and am wondering how I will feel. As of now, I am not sleeping much so I assume I will pass out for a while when not on it at night. Also, I have discovered that its not while the dose is in my system that Im hungry, it is when it starts wearing off. For this reason I am tempted to continue it at night instead of the day when I cut out the second pill in a few days. Or possibly just take 1/2 pill twice a day.
Posted 9/5/2011 9:58 PM (GMT -8)
i have been on pred. on 3 diffrent years 06 08 09
2006 i was REAL quite
2008 i was aggresive for no reason
2009 had the worst break up thought i was in love only to find out i was in the relation ship alone thats what sent me under i think i came off the pred. 3 days after the breakup i couldnt eat for 2 days day 3 i forcedmyself to chew food they said it was a chemical inbalance whateverit was i feel im just now getting rid of it . im still on the deppresion medicine i cameout of my funk from 2009 to the end of 2010 early 2011 im glad i finally did thoes steroids are TRICKY
Posted 3/10/2014 7:28 AM (GMT -8)
Thank goodness i read your posts about depression and prednisone.I am down to 5 mg and i am depressed.I try to get things done at home but lose my stamina very fast.Will this ever go away? I didnt go through this in the past but this time i stayed on 60 mgs for 3 wks.I hate this drug! I dont think i will ever take it again! Hopefully the simponi will work for me.I noticed major improvement in my bleeding the day after i took my first shot.
Posted 3/10/2014 9:38 AM (GMT -8)
I'm so sorry you're feeling down. I know that whenever I've stopped my Prednisone in the past, I became very sad and I didn't even know why. I think that's the hardest part about feeling depressed, for me at least; why do I feel this way? I never ever want to go back on Prednisone if possible. It definitely took some time to feel emotionally well after discontinuing the medication. I just tried to surround myself with people and keep socially active. Whenever I would be sitting alone, I'd start thinking about sad things. It's always nice to cry it out some times too :) Whenever I stop my Prednisone, I always think I need a vacation! I need sun and lots of it and I just need to relax. Being a graduate student, you're probably under a lot of school stress as well. Good luck to you with both your health and your studies.
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