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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be shitting myself about taking Prednisolone (steroids)?

83 replies

inigomontoyahwillcox · 08/05/2021 03:40

Due to start on 40mg/day tomorrow (for 7 days) after being diagnosed with an inner ear condition.

I am a complete wuss at the best of times with taking new medication after having some awful side effects when trying to start to take some antidepressants a few years back (started to feel suicidal) and am really freaking out about the side effects of these after doing some reading.

Has anyone got any words of advice for me? I'm absolutely desperate to get some relief from this horrid condition, but I don't want to end up a manic/out of my mind insomniac who can't stop screaming at her family!

OP posts:
Roselilly36 · 08/05/2021 07:52

I wouldn’t worry OP it’s a short course and low dosage. I have taken these steroids too when I had an acute relapse of Transverse Myelitis, I have to take 500mg for 7 days, to bring down the inflammation in my spinal cord. They only problems I experienced was difficulty in sleeping and having lots of energy, unusual for me, I can tell you. Good luck I hope you are feeling much better soon.

EdersonsSmileyTattoo · 08/05/2021 07:55

I’ve been on a maintainance dose of Prednidolone for over10 years (15mg per day) for Psoriatic Arthritis.

It made me a bit hyper in the very beginning and I struggled to sleep for a week or so but after that I’ve been fine with it. I’ve never put any other weight on with it either.

Passthecake30 · 08/05/2021 07:56

I’ve had these for asthma, and was very hungry, that only bacon rolls would sort! They were amazing though, I felt better within 2 days.

risefromyourgrave · 08/05/2021 08:03

I was on 1000mg (yes 1000, I didn’t put an extra 0) for 7 days. The worst things for me was how bitter the tablets were -make sure you have a big mouthful of something sweet to take the bitterness away- and I lost my sense of taste but was still starving all the time!

I am prone to depression but didn’t get any bad thoughts whilst on them.

UseOfWeapons · 08/05/2021 08:13

I’m sure you’ll be fine, OP.
I had 40mg a day for 7 days, after an extreme allergic reaction caused me to to rock up at A&E at 4am, struggling to breathe.
Far from making me put on weight, the taste of the tablets was so bitter, I found I ate less as it affected my sense of taste. No other side effects, and the taste issue resolved once I finished the course. And they worked like magic! I have C-PTSD, and there were no problems with exacerbation of any MH issues.
Good luck, and I hope you feel better soon.

autumnboys · 08/05/2021 08:17

I take a quarterly tapering dose of steroids. I feel more energetic and get stuff done, mine is a longer course than yours and towards the end of it there’s sometimes a couple of nights of either sexy or violent dreams, but that’s about it.

WhoNeedsaManOfTheWorld · 08/05/2021 08:18

I've had short courses lots of times for chest infections. As a pp said taking them all together is a pain as they don't taste great
Apart from that I feel short changed. Other than getting better I haven't had good or bad side effects

Nacknick · 08/05/2021 08:22

A short course at the dose should be fine. I love the fact that they make you hungry and give you energy and if I could I’d take them ALL the time but obviously that’s not recommended 🤣😂

MargaretFraggle · 08/05/2021 08:27

My DD has had oral steroids due to asthma, no noticeable side effects.

My FIL had them while recovering from cancer and his garden has never looked so tidy!

Lizdeflores · 08/05/2021 08:34

I have had steroids prescribed many times in my life for different conditions. I don't like it however steroids do exactly 'what they say on the tin' .The relief for me after starting a course is almost immediate yes they can give you a false high and the 'roid' hunger is real but with a 7 day course there won't be any long term effects. With a 7 day course you don't need to taper off.
I hope your ear sorts it self out ,enjoy a rainy day film marathon and investigate low sodium snacks.

tiredanddangerous · 08/05/2021 08:35

I end up on them a couple of times a year for asthma. They increase my appetite and I don't sleep for the first 2 nights on them. They make me feel kind of jittery and like my heart's beating a bit too fast. Much better than not being able to breathe though.

Original poster
inigomontoyahwillcox · 08/05/2021 08:41

Wow, so many of you! Thankyou all - you're really helping out my mind at rest. Just hope they actually work now!

Ive had a terrible night on just betahistine - no sleep, jittery and weird thoughts, none of which are listed as side effects, maybe I'm just wired that way. I need to get some sleep before I start the steroids as if I go into it with only 9 hours sleep in the last 3 nights and then have the steroid insomnia I'll be in a right mess.

OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 08/05/2021 08:44

As others say, a short course will be absolutely fine!

I take daily long term steroids for Addison’s disease and frequently take higher dose courses for lupus. They’re amazing things used correctly!

Babamamananarama · 08/05/2021 08:45

I have high doses of prednisone as part of my chemotherapy - 200mg/daily for 5 days.
It makes me a bit hungrier but nothing ridiculous. No other effects apart from being a bit more chipper than someone with cancer probably ought to be. I get a steroid crash of feeling low for a day two days after I come off it, but I'm on a very high dose.

Mrsorganmorgan · 08/05/2021 09:15

I took them for 6 weeks many years ago (Bells Palsy)
Make sure that you stop taking them very slowly.

Original poster
inigomontoyahwillcox · 08/05/2021 10:06

I'm sorry so many of you have had to take them. But very much appreciate you sharing your experiences with me.

OP posts:
Leeds3 · 08/05/2021 19:06

I took one course with no noticeable side effects. The second course caused swelling in all my joints. Quite painful and my fingers looked like sausages!
It looks like I'm in the minority, so I'm sure you'll be fine, OP.

GrolliffetheDragon · 08/05/2021 19:15

@inigomontoyahwillcox

Has anyone had thoughts of suicide/self harm on them? That's my biggest fear - remembering back to the nasty experience I had with side effects from another drug, and also considering how down I've been feeling lately (due to the condition, as well as another nasty one I've recently developed).
I didn't and I have a history of self harm. They had no effect on my mental health at all.
Whenigrowupiwanttobea · 08/05/2021 19:18

It is only a short course so you will be OK. Remember to take them earlier in the day as if taken in the evening they can cause insomnia.

AllThatisSolid · 08/05/2021 20:00

Due to start on 40mg/day tomorrow (for 7 days) after being diagnosed with an inner ear condition.

I’ve had Prednisolone a couple of times (after a severe bout of asthma and bronchitis) and as far as I’m concerned, it’s magic! I could breathe, and talk, and get up the stairs within a couple of days of starting on it.

I had labrynthitis once and the antibiotics meant I wasn’t feeling nauseous and could actually stand up.

So if you need steroids, take them! I know that long-term they have some tricky side-effects, but 7 days isn’t long.

I hope you feel better soon..

Justa47 · 08/05/2021 20:13

@inigomontoyahwillcox

Don’t worry. Short course and safe as houses in drug terms

Spidey66 · 08/05/2021 20:17

I took 2 doses once for an ear infection, and it worked wonders. Obviously no side effects on such a limited dose.

I think the difficulties with steroids are only for ling term use. 7 days is a short course.

Spidey66 · 08/05/2021 20:19

Oh ive just remembered, my husband took them for longer, for thyroid eye disease. He did get quite irritable on them, but that was longer term.

Pleasegodgotosleep · 08/05/2021 21:54

I have to take this dose about 4 times a year for chest infection/asthma. I would recommend taking them as early in the day as possible so they are wearing off a bit by bedtime. Other than being a bit hyper and sometimes a bit shaky I've had no adverse reaction.

aintnothinbutagstring · 08/05/2021 22:26

DS has had pred quite a few times for his asthma, only seemed to increase his appetite and perhaps he was a bit more energetic. Works really well for asthma. If it's a short course, I'd not worry too much about side effects. I don't think it will give your uncontrollable rage like what you might be anticipating Grin just maybe some slight munchies

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