1 month off steroid still facing insomia

[Avantidave1988]

I was diagnosed with it in august since then started from high dose of 50mg to 5mg alternate day..But it has already been month off steroid still facing insomia side effect

[AnthonyHeard Administrator ITP Support Association]

Sadly it usually takes about 3 months for side effects to wear off, albeit we all respond differently.

[Zaff in reply to AnthonyHeard]

I found some of the side effects wore off more quickly than others

[Rich1971]

When I had a relapse with my platelets, I started on 100mg of prednisone, then tapered off to 5mg everyother day. My platelets have been ranging from 50,000 + to 70,000 + for the last 2yrs on 5mg. The insomnia should stop with the low dose of 5mg in a short time..

[RobertSp]

Hi, I was on a much higher dose of prednisone. I found that the insomnia reduced fairly quickly but other side effects lasted longer. Prednisone is a fat soluble chemical so can stay longer in the body. In some cases, weight loss ( which is common coming of prednisone) can release small amounts of prednisone back into the blood stream. I suggest that you be patient and be gentle with your self. Things will eventually correct themselves.

[Avantidave1988 in reply to RobertSp]

Still how many months it fairly lasted do you remember? ?..I m still facing it though it has been 2 months nearly

[RobertSp in reply to Avantidave1988]

Hi,

The effects lasted for about 2 years. But they became less slowly. In the first few months the insomnia ended and some weight loss occured. But low energy continued for some time. Curiously I noticed larger lessening of the effects at the 6 month, 1 year and 18 months points. Prednisone is an artificial steriod. In many ways, an artificial addrenaline. My doctor mentioned that sometimes they have to administer some adrenaline if needed to combat some diseases. During the time that the prednisone was administered it had actually caused the adrenal glands to shrink. So I guess they have to grow back.

[22-patience]

I've had ITP since 2007 and been on Prednisone that many years. Very high doses down to as low as 2.5 mg per day. Fortunately, my doctor put me on Promacta (Eltrombopag) last March---with Prednisone--- and my platelets really went up to 150 and higher! Since July my only ITP drug is 2.5 mg of Prednisone per day! I have felt like a normal human being again. I do have problems sleeping after so many years on Prednisone. My doctor told me that It can take as long as a year to completely rid your body of the effects of Prednisone.

So, on my own, I decided to try Melatonin (5 mg) and my doctor gave me a prescription of Lorazapam (.5 mg before bed). It has really helped!!! May sound a little weird but have been able to get some badly needed rest. The Lorazapam couldn't do nearly as much harm to my body as the Prednisone.

Note: Anyone thinking about having a splenectomy better know if their spleen is really their problem! I've had one and it only made matters worse for me! And, after having a splenectomy there are some ITP meds that cannot be used. Do your research! 22 Patience