So, please tell me...
- Thread starter chickpea
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Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:
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When I say 'you' I mean me!
Love-
-Initial dose of 40mg soon had me feeling normal and full of energy
-Nice and small and eaily swallowed!
-Increased appetite (could do with putting on weight)
Hate-
-Think it gave me insomnia for a short time on the higher dosage (wasn't sure if this was due to being full of energy and my body not relaxing)
-Gave me loads of spots on my chest (i can live with this) but terrible acne on my face (not present until well into the course)
-Think it made me sweat more (i rarely did before but it did seem to increase)
On the whole, i am glad i was on it for 2 months (just finishing today actually!) because for a few weeks I became 'normal' and for that alone it was worth it because I had forgotten the pain free days i took for granted, so it was nice.
Love-
-Initial dose of 40mg soon had me feeling normal and full of energy
-Nice and small and eaily swallowed!
-Increased appetite (could do with putting on weight)
Hate-
-Think it gave me insomnia for a short time on the higher dosage (wasn't sure if this was due to being full of energy and my body not relaxing)
-Gave me loads of spots on my chest (i can live with this) but terrible acne on my face (not present until well into the course)
-Think it made me sweat more (i rarely did before but it did seem to increase)
On the whole, i am glad i was on it for 2 months (just finishing today actually!) because for a few weeks I became 'normal' and for that alone it was worth it because I had forgotten the pain free days i took for granted, so it was nice.
Check out these four links. They all have good information but combined they give more complete information:
http://vasculitis.med.jhu.edu/treatments/[wiki2="Prednisone"]prednisone[/wiki2].html
http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/prescriptiondrugs/p/medprednisone.htm
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9383-PREDNISONE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=6007&drugname=Prednisone+Oral#sideeffects
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prednisone#Side-effects
When I took it, I was usually on high doses (65mg) for long periods of time (one time for a year). I had what many people on this forum call, "moon face" which means that your face fills out quite a bit and makes you look like you're storing nuts for the winter. I did a google image search really quick to see if I could find an example to show you but I guess other people were just like me where they avoided the camera so I can't find any pictures at the moment.
I was also very irritable and emotional. I'd have mood swings quite often and even thoughts of suicide with an attempt. Not everyone gets that bad though. I also bruised easily and lost some hair. One of the things I didn't like was the stretchmarks I got as well on my inner and outer thighs, under arms, and breasts. My sister who also took Pred for crohns got stretchmarks in the same areas but also got them on her lower back and lower abdomen. I also had trouble sleeping and felt hot often, almost like hot flashes. I also gained weight and had a rather healthy appetite. I also remember having headaches and increased joint and back pain.
I know it all sounds awful and I wont lie, it is but Pred can save your life or at least save you from needing surgery. Sadly for me the 2nd time I took Pred, it didn't work and I had to have surgery and then had a hard time healing because my body was so swollen from the steroids.
God, my post sounds awful. I'm sorry. You're on a lower dose than I was and I'm alive and happy today and I know that you'll be fine too. I hope it works and that you'll be off of it soon.
http://vasculitis.med.jhu.edu/treatments/[wiki2="Prednisone"]prednisone[/wiki2].html
http://ibdcrohns.about.com/cs/prescriptiondrugs/p/medprednisone.htm
http://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-9383-PREDNISONE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=6007&drugname=Prednisone+Oral#sideeffects
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prednisone#Side-effects
When I took it, I was usually on high doses (65mg) for long periods of time (one time for a year). I had what many people on this forum call, "moon face" which means that your face fills out quite a bit and makes you look like you're storing nuts for the winter. I did a google image search really quick to see if I could find an example to show you but I guess other people were just like me where they avoided the camera so I can't find any pictures at the moment.
I was also very irritable and emotional. I'd have mood swings quite often and even thoughts of suicide with an attempt. Not everyone gets that bad though. I also bruised easily and lost some hair. One of the things I didn't like was the stretchmarks I got as well on my inner and outer thighs, under arms, and breasts. My sister who also took Pred for crohns got stretchmarks in the same areas but also got them on her lower back and lower abdomen. I also had trouble sleeping and felt hot often, almost like hot flashes. I also gained weight and had a rather healthy appetite. I also remember having headaches and increased joint and back pain.
I know it all sounds awful and I wont lie, it is but Pred can save your life or at least save you from needing surgery. Sadly for me the 2nd time I took Pred, it didn't work and I had to have surgery and then had a hard time healing because my body was so swollen from the steroids.
God, my post sounds awful. I'm sorry. You're on a lower dose than I was and I'm alive and happy today and I know that you'll be fine too. I hope it works and that you'll be off of it soon.
Astra
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Hiya
Pred saved my life back in Jan, I nearly perforated, and cos of that, I will always love Pred, but really glad we're so over! but I would try it again if need be.
I loved the jittery, speedy, wizzy feeling it gave me!
I loved the way it made me talk a glass eye to sleep!
I loved the energy it gave me, I was like a bee on acid!
I loved the appetite it gave me, I didn't feel guilty eating the entire contents of the fridge!
But most of all, I loved the absolutely no pain or D, whatsoeva!
I didn't like the insomnia, I love my sleep! but I put this to good use by doing jobs like ironing and watching crap telly, and didn't fret over it, cos I was off work anyway, so didn't have to get up.
I hated the chipmunk face and being called Alvin! (but that's gone now)
that's it really, overall, I enjoyed the experience, but I am a tad weird like that!
Pred saved my life back in Jan, I nearly perforated, and cos of that, I will always love Pred, but really glad we're so over! but I would try it again if need be.
I loved the jittery, speedy, wizzy feeling it gave me!
I loved the way it made me talk a glass eye to sleep!
I loved the energy it gave me, I was like a bee on acid!
I loved the appetite it gave me, I didn't feel guilty eating the entire contents of the fridge!
But most of all, I loved the absolutely no pain or D, whatsoeva!
I didn't like the insomnia, I love my sleep! but I put this to good use by doing jobs like ironing and watching crap telly, and didn't fret over it, cos I was off work anyway, so didn't have to get up.
I hated the chipmunk face and being called Alvin! (but that's gone now)
that's it really, overall, I enjoyed the experience, but I am a tad weird like that!
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I refused it because I was to scared of the side effects, and I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't want a "moon face or all the possible weight gain". If I had to have it because nothing else would work then I would do it. If I get to the point I'm hospitalized I would do it. Lucky for me I'm holding my own on Humira for now. Good luck and get better that's the important thing.
Lucy
Lucy
Another good side effect- it cleared up the eczema I have had all my life! (tho it's coming back as I am on a lower dose now)
Hmmmmm, I'm liking some of the "positive" SE's - though I'm not sure my hubby and children will cope with an even more manic me (when I'm well, the world is not fast enough for me, so god only knows what a whizzed-up me will be like!!)
The weight gain isn't an issue, as I am so tiny right now. Not so keen on the chipmunk look, but hey - gotta be better than the Auschwitz gaunt look!
Do you think that the anti d's I'm already on will counteract any suicidal/depressive feelings? I REALLY don't want to go down that route - I have an irrartional fear of doing myself harm, after my dad had a mental breakdown and threatened suicide.
Insomnia...oh blimey. I am so tired all the time, I NEED to sleep.
Eczema - yup, I've had it all my life. I'd happily wave that off, but not at the cost of having acne, thanks. (I suffered with acne in my early 20's and it was awful).
Sounds like a lottery, pretty much - better strap myself in and prepare for the ride....:lol2:
The weight gain isn't an issue, as I am so tiny right now. Not so keen on the chipmunk look, but hey - gotta be better than the Auschwitz gaunt look!
Do you think that the anti d's I'm already on will counteract any suicidal/depressive feelings? I REALLY don't want to go down that route - I have an irrartional fear of doing myself harm, after my dad had a mental breakdown and threatened suicide.
Insomnia...oh blimey. I am so tired all the time, I NEED to sleep.
Eczema - yup, I've had it all my life. I'd happily wave that off, but not at the cost of having acne, thanks. (I suffered with acne in my early 20's and it was awful).
Sounds like a lottery, pretty much - better strap myself in and prepare for the ride....:lol2:
merrywidow
mum with a dogdy tum
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i was on pred way too long, 3 years + and now have a high risk of osteoporosis (sp) and have a bone scan every year.
Astra
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Great thread - I know I appreciate everyones honesty. Nice to know noones sugar coating anything. Thanks for asking tracey!
Wendy
heres a link to children with moonface - couldnt find adults either. Children always look cute with chubby cheeks though..
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=...=G&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&ei=PzUZTIKXFYPenAeNy62oCg
Wendy
heres a link to children with moonface - couldnt find adults either. Children always look cute with chubby cheeks though..
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=...=G&gbv=2&tbs=isch:1&ei=PzUZTIKXFYPenAeNy62oCg
Last edited:
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2010
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Likes:
NO PAIN
Happiness
Dislikes:
Makes me mostly socially stupid (you know when your mind tells you about those oh so subtle cues when the conversation your having should be over???...well on pred I don't seem to register those and will talk non stop...for hours... to ppl who don't even want to be talking to me anymore lol)
Shaking ( I only just recently aquired this side effect)
Doesn't always stop the D (not sure why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't)
No sleep (my kids are up early so not falling asleep until 4am is so not cool)
Confusion ( I had to write finals on this stuff.....It was like I had ADD)
Major Sweating ( i wake up in the morning drenched)
And last, but most importantly (for me anyway), when I'm on pred I feel like the happiest healthiest person on the planet (even with the side effects). I have never felt depressed and my mood only gets better as the days go on. BUT when I come off of pred I"m sad for weeks, I'm not sure why that happens. Maybe b/c the 'rush' of all the energy I get from pred is just gone? I don't know, but those few weeks after I stop the pred is usually pretty bad for me.
NO PAIN
Happiness
Dislikes:
Makes me mostly socially stupid (you know when your mind tells you about those oh so subtle cues when the conversation your having should be over???...well on pred I don't seem to register those and will talk non stop...for hours... to ppl who don't even want to be talking to me anymore lol)
Shaking ( I only just recently aquired this side effect)
Doesn't always stop the D (not sure why sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't)
No sleep (my kids are up early so not falling asleep until 4am is so not cool)
Confusion ( I had to write finals on this stuff.....It was like I had ADD)
Major Sweating ( i wake up in the morning drenched)
And last, but most importantly (for me anyway), when I'm on pred I feel like the happiest healthiest person on the planet (even with the side effects). I have never felt depressed and my mood only gets better as the days go on. BUT when I come off of pred I"m sad for weeks, I'm not sure why that happens. Maybe b/c the 'rush' of all the energy I get from pred is just gone? I don't know, but those few weeks after I stop the pred is usually pretty bad for me.
Nyx
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Likes:
Made me feel normal again
NO more urgency
Loads of energy
Made me feel like I could move mountains
Loved the mania
Dislikes:
Moon face (see my pic below and compare to my avatar which was just taken a few weeks ago)
Facial hair...the foo-mancho was getting quite annoying
Insomnia...it was horrible.
But, overall, for me, the pros definitely outweighed the cons.
(very chipmunky face in this pic...at that time I'd been on the pred for appoximately 5 months)
Made me feel normal again
NO more urgency
Loads of energy
Made me feel like I could move mountains
Loved the mania
Dislikes:
Moon face (see my pic below and compare to my avatar which was just taken a few weeks ago)
Facial hair...the foo-mancho was getting quite annoying
Insomnia...it was horrible.
But, overall, for me, the pros definitely outweighed the cons.
(very chipmunky face in this pic...at that time I'd been on the pred for appoximately 5 months)
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On 40 mg of pred a day, I loved the 'Whoo-hoo! I can do anything!!!!!!!" feeling & high energy for ... umm, about a week. Then it all just went downhill: jittery and nervous all morning, weepy and moody-swing-y by afternoon, snarling and hateful in the evenings .... and I couldn't sleep. I mean, not at ALL!! 2 hours of broken slee a night, if I was lucky. It was miserable. I'm down now to 10 mg of the pred daily and I ache and my face is breaking out; lovely.
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Joan - Just curious - how could they tell you nearly perforated? was there a test they did or could they tell some other way?
ameslouise
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IMO, nothing works faster than Pred to make you feel so much better so quickly!
But I could do without the facial hair, evil mood swings, zits and night sweats. I lucked out this time - no insomnia or weight gain. Also am probably now steroid dependent - can't seem to get down past 10 mg.
Ugh.
But I could do without the facial hair, evil mood swings, zits and night sweats. I lucked out this time - no insomnia or weight gain. Also am probably now steroid dependent - can't seem to get down past 10 mg.
Ugh.
Well....so far, so good.
The diarrhoea has all but past, but I'm finding the "normality" a bit tricky to get used to - I almost feel constipated.
I have loads more energy, which is great mostly...but some of it is definitely aggressive/short-tempered.
I'm finding it hard to stay asleep in the early hours, so could be found walking the dogs at 6.30am this morning - unheard of!!
On balance, the pred seems to be doing what it says on the tin.:biggrin:
The diarrhoea has all but past, but I'm finding the "normality" a bit tricky to get used to - I almost feel constipated.
I have loads more energy, which is great mostly...but some of it is definitely aggressive/short-tempered.
I'm finding it hard to stay asleep in the early hours, so could be found walking the dogs at 6.30am this morning - unheard of!!
On balance, the pred seems to be doing what it says on the tin.:biggrin:
Astra
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No way Wendy! no no no no
Hiya Kelly
that's what the gastro told me cos I was blocked or narrowing, and he said if I'd have left it and not gone to A&E, I would have died!!! I had peritonitis and my CRP was 261!!
I don't think there's a test as such, all he did was touch my abdo, then scrape me off the ceiling!
Hiya Kelly
that's what the gastro told me cos I was blocked or narrowing, and he said if I'd have left it and not gone to A&E, I would have died!!! I had peritonitis and my CRP was 261!!
I don't think there's a test as such, all he did was touch my abdo, then scrape me off the ceiling!
