Guest guest Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 , I'm not sure I can be alot of help but I wanted you to know you have found a world of empathy when dealing with prednisone. I have been off completely for over 18 months now but did experience the irritability that you spoke of in addition to the sleeplessness. I went months without a reasonable nights sleep. I learned to nap during the day and rest whenever I needed to. The irritability and hair trigger temper is something that those around me had to live with. I'm thankful it's gone now and I'm back to my normal reasonably even tempered self. The only suggestion I have would be make sure those people that have to deal with you on a regular basis know that you're on a medication that alters your mood. The other possibility is to ask your doctor for an anti-depressant. While I was on the prednisone I was on Zoloft and it helped stablize my mood and made me easier to live with. Just something that made my life easier on the dreaded prednisone! Beth Age 48 Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 UCTD 07/08 Change everything. Love and Forgive Prednisone jitters Hello, I am on day 11 of 40 mg. Prednisone with 14 weeks to go. I amfamiliar with the side effects but would appreciate any membersuggestions. Even with 90 m. exercise daily I am feeling as if full ofJolt Cola; easily angered, only sleeping 2-3 hrs. per night even withAmbien. The smallest amount of sugar seems to ramp up the sideeffects even further. I also haven't figured out how I lost 6 lbs. in11 days but increased body fat percentage from 9% to 21%. Any copingsuggestions would be appreciated. By the way, the SOB does seem to bemuch better with Prednisone. thank you,, PFT 06-08 CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 , I so understand. I would talk to your Dr and ask for an anti-depressant I was put on Wellbutrin and still take it. The sleeplessness is horrible. I went four nights without any. I hate it that you have to go through this. Do you have an infection? What is your diagnosis ?? God Bless You. Love and Prayers, Peggy IPF 2004, Florida"Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks up." ,I'm not sure I can be alot of help but I wanted you to know you have found a world of empathy when dealing with prednisone. I have been off completely for over 18 months now but did experience the irritability that you spoke of in addition to the sleeplessness. I went months without a reasonable nights sleep. I learned to nap during the day and rest whenever I needed to.The irritability and hair trigger temper is something that those around me had to live with. I'm thankful it's gone now and I'm back to my normal reasonably even tempered self. The only suggestion I have would be make sure those people that have to deal with you on a regular basis know that you're on a medication that alters your mood. The other possibility is to ask your doctor for an anti-depressant. While I was on the prednisone I was on Zoloft and it helped stablize my mood and made me easier to live with. Just something that made my life easier on the dreaded prednisone! Beth Age 48 Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 UCTD 07/08 Change everything. Love and Forgive Prednisone jittersHello, I am on day 11 of 40 mg. Prednisone with 14 weeks to go. I amfamiliar with the side effects but would appreciate any membersuggestions. Even with 90 m. exercise daily I am feeling as if full ofJolt Cola; easily angered, only sleeping 2-3 hrs. per night even withAmbien. The smallest amount of sugar seems to ramp up the sideeffects even further. I also haven't figured out how I lost 6 lbs. in11 days but increased body fat percentage from 9% to 21%. Any copingsuggestions would be appreciated. By the way, the SOB does seem to bemuch better with Prednisone. thank you,, PFT 06-08 CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 I think what you're experiencing is not at all unusual. I know how the doctors often prescribe meds rather automatically with prednisone to protect you against other physical issues but unfortunately they don't warn and prepare us well enough for the mood swings. It should be pretty automatic to be on the lookout for them and if they are significant to be quickly prescribed a mood regulator of some sort such as an anti-depressant. With many people that can help level the moods out and balance the impact of the prednisone. > > > , > > I'm not sure I can be alot of help but I wanted you to know you have > found a world of empathy when dealing with prednisone. I have been > off completely for over 18 months now but did experience the > irritability that you spoke of in addition to the sleeplessness. I > went months without a reasonable nights sleep. I learned to nap > during the day and rest whenever I needed to. > > The irritability and hair trigger temper is something that those > around me had to live with. I'm thankful it's gone now and I'm back > to my normal reasonably even tempered self. The only suggestion I > have would be make sure those people that have to deal with you on a > regular basis know that you're on a medication that alters your mood. > The other possibility is to ask your doctor for an anti-depressant. > While I was on the prednisone I was on Zoloft and it helped stablize > my mood and made me easier to live with. > > Just something that made my life easier on the dreaded prednisone! > > > > Beth > Age 48 Fibrotic NSIP 06/06 UCTD 07/08 > > Change everything. Love and Forgive > > > > > Prednisone jitters > > Hello, I am on day 11 of 40 mg. Prednisone with 14 weeks to go. I am > familiar with the side effects but would appreciate any member > suggestions. Even with 90 m. exercise daily I am feeling as if full of > Jolt Cola; easily angered, only sleeping 2-3 hrs. per night even with > Ambien. The smallest amount of sugar seems to ramp up the side > effects even further. I also haven't figured out how I lost 6 lbs. in > 11 days but increased body fat percentage from 9% to 21%. Any coping > suggestions would be appreciated. By the way, the SOB does seem to be > much better with Prednisone. > > thank you, > > , PFT 06-08 CA > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 , When I was on 40 mg the pharmacist told me to take the first 20 mg by 8 in the morning and the next 20 by 10 and it would help with the sleeplessness. Staying away from sugar and caffeine also helps and making yourself lie in bed even when you don't feel like it. Unfortunately the fat gain and body changing shapes ( think dumpling!) goes along with the better breathing. Take care- Sarcoid/PF 3/2006 California Prednisone jitters Hello, I am on day 11 of 40 mg. Prednisone with 14 weeks to go. I amfamiliar with the side effects but would appreciate any membersuggestions. Even with 90 m. exercise daily I am feeling as if full ofJolt Cola; easily angered, only sleeping 2-3 hrs. per night even withAmbien. The smallest amount of sugar seems to ramp up the sideeffects even further. I also haven't figured out how I lost 6 lbs. in11 days but increased body fat percentage from 9% to 21%. Any copingsuggestions would be appreciated. By the way, the SOB does seem to bemuch better with Prednisone. thank you,, PFT 06-08 CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 11, 2008 Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 , Yes to all of the lousy symptoms of Prednisone!!!! I was on 40mg for at least 6 months of hell!!! It has tappered down to 10 in the past two and a half years. I still have trouble sleeping ( Lunesta is the only one that helps me) and my hands still shake doing fine motor skills ( a problem because I'm a potter) and concentration can still be a problem. Oh, and memory issues too!!! Short term memory issues especially! And water retention too. Coping? Some things just are what they are...and my problems don't respond to anything I've tried. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Just know that we all " get it:" Z fibriotic NSIP/05 Z 64, fibriotic NSIP/o5/PA And “mild” PH/10/07 and Reynaud’s too!! No, NSIP was not self-inflicted…I never smoked! Potter, reader,carousel lover and MomMom to Darah and Sara “I’m gonna be iron like a lion in Zion” Bob Marley Vinca Minor-periwinkle is my flower drkja2003 wrote: Hello, I am on day 11 of 40 mg. Prednisone with 14 weeks to go. I am familiar with the side effects but would appreciate any member suggestions. Even with 90 m. exercise daily I am feeling as if full of Jolt Cola; easily angered, only sleeping 2-3 hrs. per night even with Ambien. The smallest amount of sugar seems to ramp up the side effects even further. I also haven't figured out how I lost 6 lbs. in 11 days but increased body fat percentage from 9% to 21%. Any coping suggestions would be appreciated. By the way, the SOB does seem to be much better with Prednisone. thank you, , PFT 06-08 CA No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.0/1604 - Release Date: 8/11/2008 5:50 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Try to drink lots of water to keep your body flowing and stuff. And just wait it out. It sucks. Wait, you mean we are supposed to sleep more than 2 hours a night? S, Lubbock, TX NSIP w/PF 12/2006 et al > > Hello, I am on day 11 of 40 mg. Prednisone with 14 weeks to go. I am > familiar with the side effects but would appreciate any member > suggestions. Even with 90 m. exercise daily I am feeling as if full of > Jolt Cola; easily angered, only sleeping 2-3 hrs. per night even with > Ambien. The smallest amount of sugar seems to ramp up the side > effects even further. I also haven't figured out how I lost 6 lbs. in > 11 days but increased body fat percentage from 9% to 21%. Any coping > suggestions would be appreciated. By the way, the SOB does seem to be > much better with Prednisone. > > thank you, > > , PFT 06-08 CA > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Z ... yeah, I'm trudging down the same road with you but for different reasons. ( No prednisone). I like what you say, "some things just are what they are...and my problems don't respond to anything I've tried". Oh yeah, , we get it. MamaSher, age 69. IPF 3-06, OR. NasturtiumsDon't fret about tomorrow, God is already there! Re: Prednisone jitters , Yes to all of the lousy symptoms of Prednisone!!!!I was on 40mg for at least 6 months of hell!!! It has tappered down to 10 in the past two and a halfyears. I still have trouble sleeping ( Lunesta is the only one that helps me) and my hands still shake doing fine motor skills ( a problem because I'm a potter) and concentration can still be a problem. Oh, and memory issues too!!!Short term memory issues especially! And water retention too.Coping? Some things just are what they are...and my problems don't respond to anything I've tried.Sorry I can't be more helpful. Just know that we all " get it:" Z 64, fibriotic NSIP/o5/PA And “mild” PH/10/07 and Reynaud’s too!! No, NSIP was not self-inflicted…I never smoked! Potter, reader,carousel lover and MomMom to Darah and Sara “I’m gonna be iron like a lion in Zion” Bob Marley Vinca Minor-periwinkle is my flower <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]--> <!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> <!--[endif]-->drkja2003 wrote: Hello, I am on day 11 of 40 mg. Prednisone with 14 weeks to go. I amfamiliar with the side effects but would appreciate any membersuggestions. Even with 90 m. exercise daily I am feeling as if full ofJolt Cola; easily angered, only sleeping 2-3 hrs. per night even withAmbien. The smallest amount of sugar seems to ramp up the sideeffects even further. I also haven't figured out how I lost 6 lbs. in11 days but increased body fat percentage from 9% to 21%. Any copingsuggestions would be appreciated. By the way, the SOB does seem to bemuch better with Prednisone. thank you,, PFT 06-08 CANo virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.6.0/1604 - Release Date: 8/11/2008 5:50 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Thanks all for the suggestions on coping with Prednisone. Even knowing the reason/cause for the anxiety doesn't stop my anger from occurring. So much for intensifying nasty premorbid personality traits. I am still reluctant to add a psych med as I am tired of chasing my tail with side effects.thank you all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Yes, we do find outselves chasing side effects of the antidotes for other side effects. However, most psychiatrists and many doctors have had a lot of experience using psychiatric meds to counteract the effects of prednisone and even the effects of having a serious disease. I would quite imagine you're taking other meds specifically to counteract other side effects of prednisone. I wouldn't think of this as being any different. The meds and quantities psychiatrists would generally prescribe in this situation are usually mild in side effects. We're not talking about the quantities they often have to prescribe for mental illnesses. They also don't normally use the more powerful or newer meds which have more side effects. For instance, they would generally prescribe small amounts of Zoloft, Wellbutrin or Cymbalta for the depression or of Valium or Xanax if something was needed just for anxiety. While no med and no quantity is always side effect free for most people these amounts and meds aren't problematic. As an example they may start with as little as 50 mg of Zoloft working up as high as 200 mg but generally not having to go that high. Or they might start give you 150 mg of Wellbutrin. Now I've known psychiatric patients to take 300 mg of Zoloft and 300 mg of Wellbutrin at the same time. Obviously they are subject to more side effects. > > Thanks all for the suggestions on coping with Prednisone. Even knowing the reason/cause for the anxiety doesn't stop my anger from occurring. So much for intensifying nasty premorbid personality traits. I am still reluctant to add a psych med as I am tired of chasing my tail with side effects. > > thank you all. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 HI KEITH: I am Lou, (74) from Richmond VA. I have been on Prednisone since Oct. 2007 when my pulmo put me immediately on 30mg of Prednisone and I must have been on it for 5 or 6 months before he put it down to 20mg daily. The 30mg I was on in the beginning up my weight up 50 lbs. in 5 months. Moon face and all. The side effects of prednisone with me were only pretty much weight gain (which every woman hates anyhow) and I feel now since taking it for 10 months, I feel sometimes the " jitters " . My skin has thinned on arms and legs, and my hair has thinned somewhat and is now growing on my face and arms. lol lol I MUST keep my sense of humor here with this stupid disease as we all should do, when we can. Let's see now, what else, oh yes, I am saying this nicely now, it changes your mood swings like crazy, feeling short tempered at times, and other times you feel absolutely great, full of talk and food, lots and lots of food. Cost my hubby Earl a fortune to keep me now. lol Let's see, prednisone.... I am now on 15mg a day and doing very well on it. My concentrator (elect) in the apt here is set on 5 liters 24/7, when working around the house, it is up to #7. Then I do fine. I am not in any other pain in my body right now except the worst pain of all with me is when I try to get dressed to go outside and pushing and pulling at my clothes to get them on. That is painful. They are too small. lol lol Let's see, prednisone....... Again, it is the only thing I have at this time in my life to keep me going and every day that goes by I am grateful for this breathe-support group who have helped me in so many many ways to continue to cope and to be strong and positive, no matter what. It is hard and I know that prednisone and tubing for oxygen that I use are now MY BEST FRIENDS as without either one of them, I would be in very sad shape. I am grateful that my prednisone is doing well at 15mg, as I probably will have to be on it the rest of my life, as says my pulmo too. After all, at 74, I don't want to do anything to jeopardize that. I also take bactrim, the antibiotic you must take if you are on prednisone every other day. Until the medical field can come up with an alternative medication that is better for ME than prednisone I don't mind taking it. I hope you will join our group tomorrow night on our chat depending on your time range where you live. Leanne posted the reminder today. I have never missed one so far. I know one thing . I have had these tubes across my face and up my nose now for 10 solid months without a break, (24/7) and you never never never get used to it but feel so GOOD when you are on it. I hope you will vent with us, talk to us, join us in chat, and get this support group deep in your heart because you can and because you deserve the best. I LOVE YOU THIS DAY!! MARY LOU (74) RICHMOND VA IPF '02 -- In Breathe-Support , keith andersen wrote: > > Thanks all for the suggestions on coping with Prednisone. Even knowing the reason/cause for the anxiety doesn't stop my anger from occurring. So much for intensifying nasty premorbid personality traits. I am still reluctant to add a psych med as I am tired of chasing my tail with side effects. > > thank you all. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Yo -- Right now I am on 20 mg of prednisone (I take 40mg all togheter so 2 tablets a day). Even though my lung doctor said there was a tiny improvement in my last CT scan I surley don't feel it. I don't feel any appetite changes either, which fustrates me. I have to gain a lot of weight but nada; I would love to have the prednisone hunger attack to gain. The biggest thing I notice is sleeplessness and mood swings the things I didn't want to go through again. :/ /23/Ohio ~ Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma 12/2005 ~ Autologus Transplant 09/2006 ~ Pulmonary Fibrosis due to Chemotherapy 06/2008 ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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