Two doses in, and I hate this drug already!!

[michellew]

Two (oops, 3) doses in, and I hate this drug already!!

I was prescribed 30mg Prednisone daily, and I have taken only two (oops, make that three) doses so far - and HATE this drug.

I have slept all of 8 hours over two evenings, waking at the ungodly hours between 4:00am and 4:30am. This was ok for the weekend, but, I will NOT be able to function for work at this rate. I am jittery like I have downed 20 cups of coffee, sprouting zits (already) like I am a teenager again, and irritatable as all get out, my BF was quite happy to have to go to work yesterday!!

I will be tapering down 5mg a week - and for those of you already on this DD (damn drug, rather than dreaded disease) how do you cope with the side effects?

Thanks in advance for your responses!
Michelle

 

[ormsklad]

Michellew, I fully understand I have had a flare and been given this for the first time. I started off on 40mg and I could of cried! I didnt sleep very well 4am seems the natural wake up time on this drug but when I have tapered to 30mg I am sleeping a big better and for a little longer. My doc has signed me off work beacause of going to the loo and the blerd vision. I dont know about but im having very bad night sweats?

 

[kromom1]

If you aren't already, try taking your prednisone in the morning as that may help your sleep.

 

[ekay03]

If you aren't already, try taking your prednisone in the morning as that may help your sleep.

I say take it in the morning too. Also you could ask your doc for something to help you sleep. When I had to be on pred (soooo many years ago) The doc gave me ativan to help me sleep and relax. I found it quite helpful

 

[michellew]

Thanks for responding.

Ormsklad- I don't know if it's related or not, but, I've been having night sweats as well.

Kromom1 and ekay03 - I've been taking it at night based on the pharmacists' recommendation. Where I have been taking it at night, would it be too hard on my system to switch and take a 2nd dose less than 12 hours after the previous?

I really don't like this drug at all. At least the jitters are gone - and now, it's like I am on some sort of sugar rush/mania type thing - thank heavens my office mates are understanding!!!

 

[jaggartini]

I'm on it again. Sitting here; my hands are shaking while I try to type.

I had to try and write work Xmas cards yesterday and my handwriting looked like some 95 year olds

I shake when I'm on higher doses. Get very tired but then wake up in the early hours and can't get back to sleep. Was up at 3.50am this morning and have been up since.
I get headaches and change in mood which is so hard with 4 young children
Thankfully I haven't really experienced weight gain, pimples etc.

This time round though i have been experienced an increased heart rate at odd times of the day. Trying to rule out what drug is causing this as I'm on a few.

Night sweats could b/c you are flaring.

I've been on this drug on and off for 5 years and I'm starting to notice long term side effects, like brittle bones etc. One of my teeth just chipped away and half of it fell out. This is the last time I go on it (GI orders) as he doesn't like using it time and time again b/c of the effects.

 

[suschex]

I feel for you! I have been on 40mg for 7 weeks now and so know your pain! As useless as it may souund, I have found deep breathing, counting slowly to ten as well as "spa type" music playing quietly in the background have helped me (and I am SO not the type of person who would normally use these types of soothing techniques). Also, I just remind myslef often that I feel the way I do b/c of the pred. and it will pass. My side effects seem to shift around in type and severity sometimes day by day....makes it interesting.

Oh, and the insomnia (I couldn't get to sleep and then would wake between 3 and 4) is tough but I realized pretty quickly that my body just wasn't tired so I gave in and just moved along through my day.

Maybe it is just easier to give into the pred. I don't know?!?!?!

Glad you get to taper off soon...hang in there, it will get better!

 

[michellew]

jaggartini - I understand the shaky hand thingy - it's crazy, I tried to write a note to leave on a co-worker's desk this morning, and if I didn't sign my name to it - you'd never know it was from me. Definatley not my usual cursive script

suschex - Another sleepless night - I was awake from 2am to about 4:45am, am currently at work - and thinking that I will do what I can and head home after that...hard to concentrate when your head isn't where it should be.

The side effects that accompany this drug aren't pretty, and I swore up and down when I was first diagnosed with UC that the LAST thing I wanted to take was steroids, and here I am diagnosed with CD AND taking them.
I know I am doing myself a favour by taking them, to decrease the inflammation that will in turn decrease the pain - but - at times, I wonder if this drug is worth all the crap that goes with it?

Thanks for letting me vent - this forum really has been fantastic!
Michelle