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.

does it cure things completely for you?
A big enough dose will reduce all the pain and inflammation but without proper treatment it comes back within 2 or 3 days.

I started it in February while waiting for RA drugs(DMARDS) to work. It took until August for the right drug / dosage to work, partly due to rheumatologist not wanting to change regimes during covid. The problem with taking prednisolone for more than 3 weeks is the body stops producing it's own cortisol and it's very difficult to wean off. I've been trying for two months now to get down from 5mg a day. I'm on 3.5 now

I have no knowledge of anorexia but I can say that while my appetite has increased I have not put any weight on in the 10 months I've been taking them. I don't follow any diets or restrict my food in any way, just eat what I want.

Thanks for replying @Phyzzy, my GP is trialling prednisolone for suspected RA as I can’t even get an appointment with a rheumatologist at the moment. I would say the inflammation is 80% better (just mornings as I said), pain 100% better, pretty amazing really.
I didn’t know about it affecting cortisol levels, I’m beginning to realise it’s a bit of a crazy drug. I hope you manage to taper off successfully, it sounds tough.

If you are waiting for a rheumatologist referral and the steroids work then I wouldn't be surprised if your GP kept you on them. If he does you should make sure to take calcium / vit d supplements. You don't need them short term but they are recommended for longer periods.

I was in so much pain I could barely walk in Feb. Although I have a love /hate relationship with them they kept me going for months when I couldnt have functioned otherwise.
I will get off them, it just takes a long time, I have to reduce very slowly.

I’ve been wondering if my GP will say that. Anorexia is telling me that there’s no way I can stay on the tablets with these hunger feelings! But my logical head knows how much better I’m feeling already. Really glad you’re doing better, just being able to use my hands pain free this week has really lifted my mood.
I’m already on vit d & calcium as I'm diagnosed with osteopenia, so I guess that’s something else that’ll need to be weighed up.