Is it weird to feel pleased about having prednisone again?

[UnXmas]

I'm taking prednisone again, as a short course of prednisolone I took in hospital did not take care of the problem. (I'm still not clear why doctors sometimes prescribe prednisolone and sometimes prednisone.) I know some of the side effects of prednisone are evil - I'm not looking forward to getting a fury face. But last time I was on prednisone, it gave me so much energy (as did the prednisolone, even though I was only on that for a short time), it was the first time in years and years I hadn't felt constantly exhausted. It also made me high, though I was aware throughout that the elevated mood was "fake". Even the anxiety I experienced wasn't a bad thing. The only unbearable side effect I experienced was terrible insomnia, and I was constantly restive. But when my doctor prescribed me Amitriptyline, that took care of that feeling and I could sleep well again.

Is it weird to look forward to having energy, and possibly an elevated mood? Will I even react the same way to prednisone this time, or might the side effects be different this time round?

 

[LewisS]

Well I just posted on the crohn's and colitis UK forum about how stunned I am that pred is alleviating my symptoms already. I feel fantastic, I'm having normal BMs (first time in years) and I have a glow about me. After being a pale and gaunt for so long, it's a really dramatic difference. So no, I don't think it's weird.

I know it's temporary and probably won't last, but it feels like well deserved respite from the past two years of hell!

 

[UnXmas]

I'm glad it's working for you, LewisS! I was quite taken aback by how well it took care of my main problem last time too, I guess I just think it's weird that I'm looking forward to the side effects. It isn't prescribed to provide energy or improve people's emotional state, but I quite want those side effects all the same!

 

[LewisS]

Thanks . My GI said that pred won't help the condition in the long-term, but can alleviate symptoms in the short-term. It does things like removes edema from around ulceration's and just calms things down in general.

I'm on a 10 week taper. I do feel like my body is in overdrive somewhat, my anxiety is through the roof and I have palpitations, BUT other than that I feel pretty great. Even my posts on here sound a bit erratic when I read them back to myself. :ylol2:

Perhaps this is what it feels like to live without IBD. I have the drive to actually do things. It's like nothing can get me down...but I know it's all temporary so I won't get my hopes up too much.

 

[gotumtum]

I was put on prednisone about 7 years ago for about 3 days to clear up a random face rash thing that we still don't understand...Anyway - It was amazing.
I slept like a log, woke at a normal time and bounced out of bed like those TV ads for mattresses! I had normal bms, energy, did chores without thinking bout conserving energy, no feeling the need to be near a toilet. The whole world just seemed brighter and shinier, and I did not 'feel stiff' like an old lady. I still dream of being back on them. - Any energy would be great - even the fake stuff! though I am not sure what my dose was so assume that I would need a stronger dose before I would know if the side effects like not sleeping were an issue for me.

So...No I don't think that it is weird at all - do 'normal' people feel like that same feeling all the time?

Also LewisS - Are you sure you're not pregnant with all that glowing? Haha

Its probably a good thing that it has the side effects as we would all be glowing all over the place all the time

But just imagine if they had none...

 

[LewisS]

It would be the perfect drug if it didn't have side effects! :/

Yeah, I too got up this morning feeling fresh as a daisy, washed the pots and tidied up around the house. All of which I'd usually have to build myself up to do and it would get to midday and I still hadn't done a thing.

Haha, that's how it feels! I have red cheeks with a bit of peach fuzz and look almost contoured. I usually have big black circles, sunken cheek bones and look like death warmed up. Even my friend was surprised to see me looking so well.

I definitely had a designer turd this morning. Or at least an upmarket brand.

 

[gotumtum]

Long may they continue LewisS

UnXmas - I hope that things work out better this time round

 

[UnXmas]

I slept like a log, woke at a normal time and bounced out of bed like those TV ads for mattresses! I had normal bms, energy, did chores without thinking bout conserving energy, no feeling the need to be near a toilet. The whole world just seemed brighter and shinier, and I did not 'feel stiff' like an old lady. I still dream of being back on them. - Any energy would be great - even the fake stuff! though I am not sure what my dose was so assume that I would need a stronger dose before I would know if the side effects like not sleeping were an issue for me.

Well, as I said, I found the insomnia and restlessness of prednisone unbearable, but Amitriptyline took care of them so well (after trying many other sleeping meds without success).

I'm not sure to what extent prednisone allows me to experience energy as healthy people feel it though. I've been taking Amitriptyline (which is primarily an antidepressant, although it's used to treat insomnia and many other things too), without prednisone for a while and it helps me emotionally, but in a way that is "real". It doesn't feel fake, like the prednisone boost in mood did. Amitriptyline just stops me being overwhelmed by despair and helps me see things from a correct perspective, whilst experiencing both good and bad emotions. Prednisone just made me feel high and kind of manic - I'd get this scary anxious feeling, yet it felt kind of good and exciting at the same time?! :confused2: Which is unnerving. :sign0085:

It's interesting you mention not feeling "stiff" on prednisone - I noticed that too. I lose that stiff, aching feeling when I take codeine too, but with codeine it's short-lived and the energy is nothing compared to that which I got from prednisone.

I'm not sure a higher dose would have given you more side effects, necessarily, though most of the side effects are dose-dependent. I know hunger and weight gain are major side effects for many people taking prednisone, but I lost weight last time I was on it. What I did find last time round, was that the longer I was on it, the more side effects I accumulated. Some people seem to notice some side effects right away, but I didn't last time, and as yet I can't say I've noticed any in the couple of days I've been taking now.

Kind of anxious about what I'm going to experience this time round!