Steroids advice

[Lizzog]

Just been given prednisone x8 for five days. I had them two years ago in hospital and was manic and couldn’t sleep. What’s the latest in the day I should take them? My other half just gone to get them and so my first dose will be about 11.30. Should I hold off and take them tomorrow??

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

Hi

My advice is the earlier the better. Take them now, then tomorrow that then as soon as you get up, then hopefully by the time you want to sleep you’ll be able to!

Hope they don’t keep you up too much and that they help you feel less wheezy!

[Lizzog in reply to EmmaF91]

Thanks- still waiting for him to come back with them 🙄

Last time I had them I was wide awake and starving hungry - I just hope I manage to get some sleep!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Lizzog]

That’s pred for you - just hope you don’t get the mood swings! 😅 😂

[Sparkles70 in reply to Lizzog]

The earlier the better I find, it I can’t sleep. Oh and the mood swings!!! Just call me Dr Jekyll!! 🙈

[Minushabens]

Definitely get them into your system straight away. They are a horrible drug, but a lifesaver for many of us. I'm on a long-term dose & the side-effects are a nightmare, but they are what they are.

My wife keeps asking when the mood swings kick in as she's hoping it will stop me being permanently grumpy

[Lizzog]

Had them about 11.40- on x8 for five days - will probably the first New Year that I manage to stay awake 😂

[strongmouse]

I found it hard to tolerate a full dose of steroids so I took a lower dose over a longer period of time (for a one off short course when I had bad chest infection with 'flu). It seemed to work for me, but I do tend not to tolerate many medicines well and I'm not necessarily recommending it, just sharing my experience. The important thing is to be enable them to do their job of helping you to get well.

[Hidden]

My doctor advised me to take them as early in the day as possible so they’ll have the least impact on my sleep.

[Lizzog]

I’m on day two. Woke up this morning and coughed up some blood so ended up at walk in centre. No temp and chest clear so told probably sinuses which feel like concrete in my head 😖

Pred left me completely wide awake in night and had hot sweats this morning but chest feeling slightly less wheezy just feel pale and knackered now

[DeanSamson in reply to Lizzog]

Exactly the same when I take short courses.

[peege]

Arrrgh. I sympathise. I hate them they make me feel dreadful. The only way I can cope with taking them is to set my alarm early, 4.30-5am so I can get back to sleep before they hit my system. Then the following night is easier to cope with and not feeling like I've taken LSD (not that I have, ever)! So from my own experience I'd hang on to very very early in the morning. P

[Lizzog]

Do they make you feel tired? I’m taking them around 7.30am and by lunchtime I’m sleepy!

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to Lizzog]

I get this ‘shattered but bouncing off the walls’ thing where all I want to do is sleep but as soon as I lay down I can’t! It’s very frustrating 😒😅

[SilverBB]

Steroids make me very dizzy and I often fall over so I avoid whenever possible. Try taking magnesium supplements before bed or take a bath with magnesium chloride - helps you sleep and great for respiratory issues.

[Lizzog in reply to SilverBB]

Thanks - good tip. I didn't sleep very well last night, so just napping in the afternoon to compensate. Only got one more dose tomorrow and chest feeling looser today, so hopefully will feel better for next week.