Pred and Insomnia

[kelly81]

Down to 30mg from today and still having major sleeping problems. Finally managed to see my GP yesterday and he gave me Chlorpheniramine (Piritone) which is supposed to make you drowsy/sleepy as a side effect. It made me feel sleepy for about half an hour before spending the rest of the night wide awake. He said go back if didn't work and he will try something else, waiting for another Dr to ring me back as the one I saw yesterday is off. I really need sleep.

 

[SammyD]

Hi kelly,

I didn't start sleeping until I was on 20mg and under, sleeping improved with every taper. Are you taking any time off? I wasn't coping with the Crohns symptoms and the Pred symptoms so took time off over the period where Pred was at the high doses, this made it a bit easier for me. I wasn't prescribed anything, just had to wait it out. I hope the Dr calls you back soon and you get some relief, hugs I know what it's like.

 

[kelly81]

Hi Sammy, yeah I've been off sick from work since I got out of hospital 2 weeks ago and the doctor gave me another sick note till the 12th December. There's no way I can work as I can't concentrate on anything at all! My mind constantly feels like its being pulled in a million different directions, although I'm not sure if the Pred is causing that now or the lack of sleep lol.

 

[SammyD]

Yep know exactly how you feel, I was the same, could not concentrate on a thing, laying in bed awake all night, couldn't even read a book or watch a 30 minute tv show, my mind was everywhere, it's an awful feeling. I really struggled with the Pred and my dr is reluctant to keep me on it too long because I've had so many symptoms, but now I'm on 5mg I seem to be flaring again :/
It gets better, try and sleep whenever you can.

 

[zilla7777]

It feels somewhat surreal to know that you all are describing exactly like I feel as though I am gazing into my own mind. I hope you start to get some sleep soon!

Personally, I have found that low volume music with no vocals somewhat drowns out my thoughts to let me sleep a little. The moment there are voices my mind goes astray again though, so even though it may not be a permanent option it's worth a try!

 

[kelly81]

Ugh don't know whether to scream or cry. Got message back from GP that it's just a case of waiting it out cause it's caused by the steroids. Won't give me anything else. Alternative is to go next Thursday and wait hours to see someone, or phone every day from Monday and try and get a cancellation (will take days).

Rang the number for the Gastro Clinic where I have an appointment for 16th December. After getting passed around 5 times, finally spoke to my GI's secretary but as it was after 4PM by then the Consultants or anyone that could help had already gone home Nothing I can do but phone first thing Monday morning. Don't know what to do about sleep till then.

 

[SammyD]

Poor thing! Nothing much helped me, but if I couldn't sleep I would just get up, switch on the tv/read, even though I was taking in none of it it was less frustrating than laying in bed awake with my mind racing. Hopefully you get some sleep soon, hang in there