Short term steroid use

[girlofthenorth]

Awake in the middle of the night… Just started taking a short course five days of steroids. 30 mg prednisolone. I think that loss of sleep is one of the side-effects… Any others I should be worried about with short-term use? Does anybody know? I really want to go to sleep… I'm taking for Breathlessness that might be asthma related and allergies..
I get very anxious I think I just need a bit of a handhold. I felt so breathless for the last few weeks I'm really hoping that this will help but on the other hand I don't think I want any weird side-effects ...

That is totally normal, I had the same.
I used my not sleeping time to finally catch up on all the reading I had said I do.
Also, it can trigger appetite, so I snacked a lot (not a good idea)

Yep, this is where Netflix comes into its own (or podcasts if you don't want to watch a screen).

Prednisolone gave me the rage. I became one hell of an angry lady at work. Also stay clear of that office vending machine.

On the plus side, prednisolone is a wonder drug that has put my immunodisorder back into remission many a time so it's worth the (literal) agro.

They can make me angry, which combined with the insomnia and hunger makes for an Incy imitating bear-with-sore-head.

Hope you’re on the mend soon.

I’ve been on a maintenance dose for 13 years, although I double it when my auto immune condition flares up badly.

One of the side effects can be weight gain, but (thankfully) I’ve never experienced that, sometimes I struggle to sleep, but I’ve never been ragey or hyper on it.

They can make you feel hyperactive and give you a racing heart rate. They can increase you appetite too (even in the short term) so be prepared to feel ravenous.

Because if the above we always used to advise giving them immediately after breakfast

I recently finished a 2 week course of 65mg. I had insomnia, anxiety, sudden spikes in heart rate, lack of concentration, problems finding words, periods of sedation, feeling distant from everything, couldn’t drive or cross roads safely at times, weight gain (no appetite increase though).
It worked brilliantly but due to a recurrence I’m now starting another course of 30mg.

Oh that little lot sounds awful !

If I was going to feel agitated would that have happened after the first dose ? Fun weekend for my family as also coming off HRT!

How long does it take to wear off after the course has stopped ?

I didn’t get agitation but side effects didn’t get any worse after the first two days. Side effects didn’t take long to stop, maybe 48 hours but you do get withdrawal symptoms too!

Hunger, weight gain, insomnia, thin skin.

Howmanysleeps.....what like ?

My child was given one high dose for breathing difficulties. He didn't sleep for more than a few minutes here and there ,( for over a week ) was manic and ended up having hallucinations leading to hours of screaming and a hospital admission.
Never again. Roidrage is an actual thing !

Ps he also had prednisolone !

I won't take them. They make me jittery and anxious.

Flapjackfairy thats awful, your poor lad !
Have been having a calm day, with loads of palpitations though , buggers . Looking forward to finishing them that's for sure, but I actually think they are helping so trying to stay focussed !!

I was on similar amount as you on and off for a few months. They definitely made me hungry and I put on weight. I didn’t have any other side effects though. I wish I’d had a boost in energy!

I have had to do the five day course for asthma a few times. Take them first thing in the morning to hope they wear off a bit by evening.
Doesn’t work for me, I get so hyper, don’t sleep, I can hear myself talking so fast but can’t stop it. I am exhausted by the end of the course.
But it always works to get my breathing under control when nothing else does.

When DS is on prednisolone he's just insatiably hungry and had behaviour issues at school. It all vanishes as soon as he finishes the course. Also weight gain and 'moon face'.

They are very effective though so it's wory it.

Worth it.