To be shitting myself about taking Prednisolone (steroids)?

[inigomontoyahwillcox]

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!

Right - well after a few days of delaying tactics, plus continuation of some pretty nasty side effects from the Betahistine I have just taken my first dose.

I read through all your comments as a kind of virtual pep talk with them in my hands - so thank you all so much. I just hope that I don't get any of the nasty side effects or, god forbid , an allergic reaction (am paranoid since I went into anaphylaxis with some IV drugs 18 months ago.

I have taken it on and off for years for asthma. The only side effect I have ever is they me ravenous

My 2 year old has just had to take this for 3 days and he’s absolutely fine. Not sure why you’re being a wuss about it!

My abiding memory of the first days of being on steroids (a higher dose than you - I was on 60mg/ day) was the energy and euphoria - I remember one morning walking to catch my train and I honestly had to stop myself breaking into a run and singing - it was like I was in a musical or something. It was the oddest feeling (and I was a raver in my time so I have been there before).

😆 @onemouseplace - ditto, maybe it will be a trip 'scuse the pun) down memory Lane. The irony of my headonistic, laissez faire approach to life compared to my crippling neuroses is not lost on me.

@Thatisnotwhatisaid clearly I'm not as brave as your 2 year old, but after suffering side effects from taking some medication a few years back which made me suicidal I've been terrified of starting anything new. Call it a phobia. In addition, I had a anaphylactic reaction to an iron infusion about 18 months ago - which just cemented my fear.

Sorry - my previous post was full of mistakes. Clearly one of the side effects is grammatical errors and a loosening grasp of the English language.

Don't worry about it. I've taken Prednisone for about five years now with no problem. Take it in the morning, and it won't interfere with your sleep. It doesn't put on weight, and your doctor won't keep you on it any longer than necessary.

My DS has had to take them many times for asthma. They made him completely hyper but he had no other side effects. I remember having to take a short course as a teenager also, and I can't remember having any side effects. I hope they work and you feel better soon.

I was given a course of prednisolone during pregnancy- I pulled a 😲 face at my GP but he reassured me that I wouldn't give birth to a big muscly wrestler type
That was a relief 🙂

I've had them many times over the years for asthma flare ups. The only thing I have a problem with is the insomnia but I find if I take them as early in the morning as I can, they affect my sleep a lot less. I usually try and take them around 6am.

ah Glitterblue - I took them at about 9.15, will make sure tomorrow's dose is much earlier. Thanks.

Longer term may make you fat.

Short course should be no problems- much used drug worldwide.

Make sure you take it in the morning so it doesn't disrupt you sleep too much. Short courses aren't too much of a worry it's long term that can cause all the well known side effects.
I was on 20mg a day for a year when I had each of my kids and got moon face and put on weight.
It's a well used and well tolerated drug which is why its use is so widespread.

Honestly I really wouldn’t worry, your course isn’t really long enough to cause side effects and if anything - it’ll make you feel pretty damn good!

I have horrendous stomach problems now because of steroids (I have an autoimmune condition) however it took years and years of very high doses for months and months at a time to cause the issues that I have now.

Honestly you’ll be fine, take them and get better soon! Xx

My mum has to take them all the time, sometimes 8 weeks at a time, due to a chronic health condition. 7 days is hardly anything, you'll be fine

Less side effects if you take them before bed , I was on them for over a decade intermittently for crohns til they stopped working

I’ve taken a seven week course three times and had a bit of trouble getting to sleep but that was it as far as side effects went. I’d never even heard about the mood/anger issues. I definitely didn’t overeat or feel especially hungry either. Good luck!

@Ozgirl75

I’ve taken a short course before and I did feel rather short tempered but it wasn’t out of control and I didn’t put on weight. My dad has to take them now and then when he gets a cold (as he has bad asthma) but he loves it as he says he has boundless energy and goes 1000 miles a minute!

I've been on 3 , 8 week courses in the last 15 months- gosh I loved them. Like your Dad, I had boundless energy and got a real high from them. It kicks in from the first dose.

I've just finished my first short course of these. The insomnia is frustrating and I've been a bit hyper and manic (but also having to rest due to breathing difficulties). I'm looking forward to taking my last dose tomorrow and getting back to normal. I feel much better and they've definitely worked for me. The them in the morning with food and have romething to busy your mind eg crosswords on your phone for the wired and tired times.

You won't be able to sleep and will be starving. Take time off work. Good luck!

Took them and was fine until I took my Betahistine a little later (been on for a week) - my usual side effects of a nasty headache and baring fog/fuzziness kicked in and just got worse and worse during the day (even though I took a reduced dose due to said nasty side effects). About 8.00 last night I had what was probably a panic attack, came completely out of the blue - heart racing (took my pulse and was about 120), sweating, shaking, throat was so tight I could only talk in a squeak! It all calmed down after about 30 minutes or so. I did used to get panic attacks a good few years back but nothing for ages and this took me completely by surprise.

Going to keep going with the Prednisolone but not take any Betahistine today and hope for the best.

But I did sleep after all that! Well, until about 30 minutes ago.

That's good OP. I only got 3 hours. Gave up in the end and did some work on the laptop. Hope you're feeling better.

I was fully prepared for a night of insomnia, iPad charged, cross stitch project I've been working on for a year in arms reach , cleaning caddy at the ready - but it wasn't to be last night.