Prednisolone

[Star8181]

I’ve been put on a course of prednisolone steroid tablets for 6 days, 5 tablets a day.
I know you can get side effects but I didn’t think you could after just a few days. My hunger is crazy at the moment, I literally don’t feel satiated at all and I also have really bad insomnia the last few nights. Are these side effects normal or are they in my head?! (I’m recovering from anorexia so I’m finding this really tough)
Any experiences, I would love to hear your advice.

Totally normal op. I've taken them many times due to asthma. I hope you feel better soon

Completely normal. Hope you’re feeling better soon.

I've been on prednisolone for ten months. They are known to increase appetite and stop you sleeping and the effects are instant. Very effective drug though.
You would normally phase down the dose 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

Sounds normal. Everyone reacts differently to it, but the side effects kick in immediately I found. And yes, being unable to sleep is a big one.

(When you stop taking them, you'll feel like crap for a couple of days so just be prepared for that.)

I had to do a long treatment with Prednisone (very similar medication) a couple years ago. I'm afraid I didn't get any symptoms, but I rarely get any even when they are expected to be quite rough.

Do you have someone you could talk to? Counsellor or GP? They would be able to advise you better and weight in the benefits of the medication against the stress it is causing you, considering your anorexia.

Totally normal.

@Phyzzy

I've been on prednisolone for ten months. They are known to increase appetite and stop you sleeping and the effects are instant. Very effective drug though. You would normally phase down the dose 5, 4, 3, 2, 1.

I’ve been on short courses of prednisolone many times for asthma. Very effective at getting symptoms under control.

Don’t worry about weaning off the pred OP, that normally is only the case if you’ve been on it for a long time. A course of 6 tablets for 5 days is a very normal dosage, for respiratory type symptoms.

Thank you for the quick responses, it’s all very reassuring to hear. It’s very hard to cope with the hunger. Even in the worst of anorexia I don’t feel hunger so it’s very disconcerting! I just need to try and get through the next few days until I’ve finished the course.

My son has had a couple of courses of this to deal with asthma. The first time no one warned me...

He was like a wild thing at 11pm. Wired. Bouncing about like he’d had a triple espresso. And moaning he was starving. This went on for the whole course and he’d be unable to sleep through hunger and general disjointed and twitchy behaviour.

Second course we spaced it better so bedtime was less disrupted but he was still hungry all the time.

Not a nice medication for side effects.

That’s completely normal, though it sucks. I also get horrendous mood swings - it makes me feel really angry, down and incredibly emotional.

Take all the tablets first thing in the morning. The increased appetite can affect weight if you are on it long term but as its only for a week I'd eat what you want.
I suppose I've got used to it but I haven't put any weight on in ten months.
I'm on it for auto immune but have always been told to taper when on short courses.

Instant side effects I'm afraid. Made me as high as a kite. If you can stick it for a week (or however long your doc says) on the declining dose you'll be ok.

Oh yes sorry, also meant to say to take it in the morning so you have better chance of sleeping.

I’m feeling a lot better after reading these experiences. I’ll just have to get through the next few days. I’m not on a declining dose though, however, I was told to take the tablets in the morning. I’ve just had a couple of hours sleep but now I’m wide awake at 2am! Thank goodness it’s the weekend!

Worrying many have experienced changes to their mood. I’m okay so far, hoping when I finish the course I’ll be okay. My psychiatrist is changing over my antidepressants at the moment so not the best timing but at least I can be prepared.

I don’t think doctors are clear enough about the psychological side effects. Physically, it can be a wonder drug for all sorts of things, but doctors should warn people what to expect.

My parents were on very high doses when going through chemo and they both went a bit mental, frankly. No one had said anything.

@Rainallnight yes I had high doses of dexamethsone (a different steroid) on chemo. I had an enjoyably hyper day once a week

Yes totally normal, I’ve had quite a few courses of them, and I always have problems sleeping. I also get hot when I’m taking them and I get indigestion. Once I finish taking them the effects soon go.

Hiya - I'm a pharmacist, just wanted to mention (and hope you were told) the best time of day to take the Prednisolone is in the morning, it helps alleviate the insomnia symptoms and follows the bodies natural circadian rhythm.

Thanks all for the comments, it’s good to hear people’s experiences. I’ve got one more dose left tomorrow and I’m quite relieved. It’s worked incredibly well for my joints, it really is amazing but the insomnia and hunger are a bit crazy. I am taking them in the morning but it’s still causing issues. No problems with my mood yet but at least I can be prepared for this.

I take mine for joints as well. They are something of a miracle cure at face value. I was in a bad way when I started them in February. My problem now is coming off them.

Been on them for years and years completely normal, unfortunately every time I try to step down the dose I flare, so back I go again, never have insomnia nor mood swings, hunger nausea weight gain hair loss though

@Phyzzy hope you don’t mind me asking - does it cure things completely for you? My fingers are always the worst - but miraculously I have no pain at all now. It’s just amazing. My fingers are still a bit swollen in the mornings but not as bad as they were. I’m wondering if that would settle further if I was to carry on the tablets.

I’ve had them for chest infections (asthma), absolutely brilliant, I was better within days. The hunger was something else, huge carb cravings, but they only lasted 3 days (of the 5 day course), and a couple of extra bacon sandwiches sorted me out.

@Passthecake30 thanks, really good to know. Still feeling very hungry, but not as bad as yesterday. Trying to recover from anorexia, so this is a real challenge.