Prednisolone side effects

[lfbs3]

Hi everyone

I have asthma which has worsened since I was ill with suspected Covid at the end of November. I was on a 5 day course of 30mg of prednisolone which improved things and my breathing was basically back to normal after 2 weeks. I then caught a cold and since then have had very tight chest despite o2 sats and peak flow being normal. I was prescribed another course of prednisolone. This time 40mg for 4 days. I am not sure why but this second course has affected me horrendously. I started the course last Thursday and finished on Sunday. Since Sunday I have had the shakes constantly, I have cried uncontrollably , had horrible thoughts about people dying, my partner leaving me, life being not worth living. I have felt sick, sweaty and not been able to eat.

All the while this has not made that much difference to my chest tightness.

My question is, are these side effects normal and how long might they last? It’s only been 2 days since my last dose and the panic attacks are probably the worst symptom.

TIA

Louise

[sassy59]

If you’ve been on 40mg steroid for 4 days, you should have been advised to taper off over a period of time. I’m unsure about the side effects you describe but would advise you to contact your doctor. Take care xxx

[CDPO16]

I don't think that you needed to taper off. I have had 40mg prednisolone over 7 days in the past, not tapered off but not had the dreadful side effects you are experiencing.

Prednisolone can affect some people this way. Please contact your doctor to report your problems asap

[2greys]

Unfortunately Prednisolone can have these mind-bending affects, some call them the devil's tick tacks for good reason. I can get mood swings with them. You must tell your GP that you are being affected like this. Do not worry, these affects will wear off.

[lfbs3 in reply to 2greys]

Thank you, at first I thought it was just part of whatever illness I am experiencing, but the more I took the worse I felt! I wonder if there are any alternatives as an asthmatic, steroids are very commonly prescribed!

[Patk1 in reply to lfbs3]

U maybe better just taking 30mg in future.

[rodders1941]

Louise l had something of the same effects as you l decided to cut back 5 mgs every month it took a while lm down to 5mg a day now and my shakes have gone and l have very good dayswith my breathing . do you exercise its the rolls royce of medication. good luck and take care Rodders 1941

[SORRELHIPPO]

I have both depression and the shakes when I come of large doses of steroids, takes a bit of time to get used to. I found the more Zebedee like I was on the high dose, the worse the depression when I came off. Just warned all I worked with. I think they found the depressed me easier than the Zebedee me.

[shouty]

Please don't worry I am having all sort of side effects too as people call them the Devil's TicTaks. I havnt slept properly for weeks and am still on 40 mgs since November

[lfbs3 in reply to shouty]

I finished my course 2 days ago and I don’t think I could be convinced to take more!

[Patk1 in reply to shouty]

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