Steroids

[Sjhoney]

Hi, I’m on a fairly low dose of prednisolone while I wait for new meds. I’ve noticed that my mood is very up and down and wondering if this is a side effect?

Thanks 😊

[Lolabridge]

Yes it is a commonly reported side effect. But at least it makes the pain and discomfort more bearable until you can start your new medication.

[Sjhoney in reply to Lolabridge]

Yes it does help! I’m going to visit my son in Canada for a couple of weeks and really don’t want to be in pain 🙄

[Boxerlady]

Yes - when my GP first prescribed them to tide me over until I got to see a rheumy she warned me that it might either boost or lower my mood. I was lucky in that it made me feel great - my rheumy then pointed out that I should be prepared to feel a bit lower in comparison when she took me off them 😏 I found that it was a useful stop gap but when I needed something while I was waiting for the meds to kick in I was given an injection instead of tablets. If it becomes too problematic maybe you could ask about that?

[Sjhoney in reply to Boxerlady]

Hi, injections have never worked that well for me tbh, not sure why? I have a big trip coming up to visit my son in Canada, I’m looking forward to it but get a bit stressed about stuff at the moment 🙄. I think it’s just the weirdness of the past couple of years. Also his eldest daughter is going thru cancer treatment at the moment so it’ll be a different kind of visit 🤔

[Monkeysmum]

Oh yes, I’ve come to the conclusion that they make me feel quite on edge, that feeling of ‘something bad could happen at any moment, but I’m not quite sure what?!’ Hope things settle down for your trip. X

[Sjhoney in reply to Monkeysmum]

It’s such a pain isn’t it! One step forward and 2 back 🙄

[Gnarli]

I have found that pred really doesn't do my mood any good at all. Screaming b*tch queen from h*ll would be an understatement

[Sjhoney in reply to Gnarli]

It makes me irritable and anxious, a heady combo 😄

[Gnarli in reply to Sjhoney]

Understood. I hope, sincerely, that it settles your RD so much that you can appreciate and enjoy your trip to Canada despite your poor granddaughter's health troubles.

[Zara0123 in reply to Sjhoney]

I came across this after I'd come off prednisolone. Wish I'd seen it before

Prednisolone side effects

[Zara0123 in reply to Gnarli]

😂😂😂

[Zara0123 in reply to Gnarli]

I felt the same. Wish someone had warned me 😂😂

Prednisolone side effects

[Gnarli in reply to Zara0123]

Himself could have done with a heads up too 🤣

[Zara0123 in reply to Gnarli]

True 🤷‍♀️ wasn't warned though 😂😂

[lucymead in reply to Zara0123]

True for my OH too we were not told about this at all or any other meds side effect. Loss of labido was not mentioned too.

[Zara0123 in reply to lucymead]

I think it's best we check things out for ourselves. Rhematologist and Drs don't have enough time to explain side affects to us.

[lucymead in reply to Zara0123]

Sadly I had no idea where to go to get any information When I started this Dreadful Journey 6 years ago. Only now am I learning about awful side effects. I also have Collagenous colitis as a side effect of these awful drugs. Just have to keep plodding on.

[Zara0123 in reply to lucymead]

This is the best place to be. I've learnt so much from this forum and the kind people here. Most of my questions have been answered just reading other peoples post and any I wasn't too sure about I've asked and have had them answered.

[Sjhoney in reply to Zara0123]

It is a great place to get advice and support ❤️

[Zara0123 in reply to Sjhoney]

👍

[Sjhoney in reply to Zara0123]

Yes it’s very easy to find things out, sometimes too easy 😳😄

[springcross]

My mood was very much up when I was on them fortunately and they decreased my pain very quickly although I did have a depo medrone injection at first too which was like a magic potion. I hope you enjoy your trip and also that your granddaughter's treatment is going well too. x

[Sjhoney in reply to springcross]

Thank you 😊 She’s only 5 and has been a big shock for us all. Obviously made worse with all the current restrictions etc. X

[springcross in reply to Sjhoney]

Aww bless her, so young to be going through that, it's never right. All the very best to her and I hope the treatment works really well for her. Take care. xx

[Sjhoney in reply to springcross]

It’s just awful. Prognosis is excellent so we must be positive xx

[springcross in reply to Sjhoney]

That's really great news, I'm so pleased for you all. 🙏 xx

[kerryhannah]

I’m pregnant and have a flare up so have been prescribed them. I asked about side effects and they said mood swings, increased appetite and weight gain… so basically pregnancy then! 🙈😂

[Sjhoney in reply to kerryhannah]

I take my hat off to you coping with RA whilst pregnant ❤️

[kerryhannah in reply to Sjhoney]

I have Ank Spond and it’s not been fun at nighttime lately but I’m relieved the steroids are starting to work and I can feel an improvement!

[Sjhoney in reply to kerryhannah]

They seem to be a double edged sword 🤔😊

[wilbertjellyfish in reply to kerryhannah]

I'm sure it is fine as Drs know what they are at but I'm surprised pred is safe in pregnancy. Everyday grateful that I developed this after finished having kids. Well done to you.

[kerryhannah in reply to wilbertjellyfish]

Yes have checked, triple check, done lots of research and different medical opinions… it’s more dangerous for me / baby to have inflammation so they needed to get the flare under control as soon as possible. It’s a lower dose with tapering off the majority of the time I’m on it. Scary but necessary unfortunately 😢

[Zara0123]

Your Dr will probably tell you to take them in the morning as they do cause insomnia. I was sleeping at crazy times like 4am in the morning and managing on 5 hours of sleep. Prednisolone made me feel high, really happy but at times I felt angry and low. Might not happen to everyone but it did to me although there was a lot going on in my life at that time too so could be a combination of dealing with everything at once. Hope you have a safe journey. Wishing your Granddaughter the best of health and full recovery from the cancer ❤

[Sjhoney in reply to Zara0123]

Thank you 😊 There is a lot going on at the moment. I have an education appt tomorrow regarding my move to biologics. Also all the tests involved with our trip.

Need to make sure I get some chill time 😊

[Zara0123 in reply to Sjhoney]

Good luck with the biologics. I hope they work for you and give you your life back 🤞 Make sure you take rest. Its difficult managing RA especially when your dealing with new events that are different from your relaxed daily routine.

[Mmrr]

I've been on oral prednisolone for approx 2 years ....I've had no side effects at all. Even on higher dosages.I'm tapering down now, at 7 mgs a day and t is getting harder with fatigue being a big problem on the first few days after dropping the dose. But I then pick up and do just fine until the next drop.

[Hidden]

Yes It can be - I had to stop this because I was experiencing an uncommon low depressive mood and it went away.

[sparklyshazza]

This is very common with prednisolone. Hang in there if you can

[ATSF]

Yes it does, but I found it was some time later before that started to have effect. I found it was when you were on a high dose and switched gradually to a lower dose.

[Sunset54]

HiI am sorry to hear how your mood has been affected. I have used prednisone for a very long term and had no side effects to mood. After 20 years on them I am now off them and only use if I gave a flare that us unbearable . I hope all goes well and I am sure a trip to Canada will be very positive for you and fir your well-being.

[Sjhoney in reply to Sunset54]

Thanks, I’m so looking forward to seeing my son and his wee family 🥰

[cropredy]

Hi SJhoney,Yes it it the same for me I am on a low dose too but I have started to slowly reduce the dose. Fingers crossed my pains do not return. I also have low mood from time to time and feelings of anxiety. Take Care.

[Sjhoney in reply to cropredy]

It’s such a pain(!) isn’t it? I sometimes feel it’s a choice between mental or physical health 🙄

[Zara0123 in reply to Sjhoney]

How are things going for you? Have you started preparing for your trip.

[Sjhoney in reply to Zara0123]

It feels like we’ve been preparing for weeks! I’m not thrilled about being on pred when I’m away but I can’t be in pain. I’ve started packing my bag, we have a washing machine in our Airbnb so don’t need to take loads altho I have overpacked 😄. I’ve just cleared out the fridge so there are no new life forms when we return 🤔I don’t think I’ll be relaxed til we’re sitting on the plane. It’s def a different kind of visit with Jules illness as all the covid related admin but I’m so looking forward to seeing my son ❤️

[Zara0123 in reply to Sjhoney]

I'd stay on the preds as you don't want to be in pain whilst there. I know what you mean about the fridge I'm like that too fridge and all bins emptied. Everything has to be clean and in place only then can I relax and leave my home 😄

I can understand how your feeling about the trip. I hope it all goes ok. Let us know your ok when you get back safely 🥰

[Sjhoney in reply to Zara0123]

I will thank you 🥰

[Ruth12345]

Yes. It reminds me of being hormonal.

[smilelines]

Pretty sure it is a side effect but I bet you will feel better once in Canada with your family. Hearts to your granddaughter.