To much energy

[Iamhappy]

Can prednisolone make you feel hipper and Carnt sleep. My wife says I’m driving her mad Carnt rest.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Absolutely!

But might be useful if you told us what dose you are on, so we gauge how long it will last.

Just be aware that you may lose the hyper feeling and suddenly become “flat”….and whilst you are hyper don’t do too much - your underlying illness is still active.

[Iamhappy in reply to DorsetLady]

I’m on 15mg a day any lower and symptoms come back. I’m back gardening and walking every morning. Couldn’t walk ,put my socks on and terrible pain in shoulders,hips. Feel really good at the moment.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Iamhappy]

Ok - not sure how you have tried reducing…but if it’s a drop to 12.5mg in one go - that may be too much.

When you try again - just try reducing by 1mg a time….so request that size of tablet if you don’t already have them.

Might also be useful to read this - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Iamhappy in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you. Started on 30 and have gradually reduced to fifteen with help from my doctor. Tried to go lower but had to go back up to 15 .seems to be ok now .apart from this high feeling. Haven’t told my doctor as I’m worried he will take me off them. I couldn’t stand it if the pain returned

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Iamhappy]

He cannot take you off the steroids just like that, once on for at least 3 weeks and over 7mg they need to tapered because your adrenals will have gone to sleep (temporarily). If you have PMR then 30mg is a high dose to start, usually 15mg - so that’s be maybe why they have affected you in the way they have.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Depends on the person - 15mg has never had that effect on me. To some extent - I wish!!!

[SnazzyD]

Indeed it can. I thought I was quite the wit, jolly and sharp as a razor. Not so to the outsider. It does mess with sleep too. However, you do need to try not to over do it because the body is coping with an autoimmune (I assume) condition for which the Pred is only supportive. It is not the green light to do all the chores at turbo speed while driving your wife insane, you need rest too.

[Iamhappy in reply to SnazzyD]

Thanks.

[Iamhappy]

Thanks.

[Maisie1958]

Yes, I felt fantastic above 10mg daily- as if I had consumed 3 strong coffees or at least a couple of glasses of wine. I had to really concentrate when driving or even crossing a busy road. Not great really as I was like the Duracell bunny, much better to take things easy - though I continued to loose a lot of weight -all put back on again once I started to relax on lower doses unfortunately.

[MrsNails]

When l first started on 15mg there was a fair amount of inflammation to ‘mop up’ including a ‘Frozen Shoulder’ but by day 10 l was a whirling dervish & l kicked some ass in the office. Unfortunately the following year l ended up on a 30mg x 1week; 20mg x 1week; 15mg x 1mg then to start reducing again - l was a total nightmare, so hyperactive, up at 4am every morning, regimented kitchen cupboards & plants trimmed into perfection!

I know l was a nightmare but there was absolutely nothing l could do about it but that paled into insignificance compared to when l was on Dexamethasone Plus Prednisolone! l only had about two hours sleep in every 24hours but it was amazing the things l sorted out!

It will pass, explain to your wife it is the Meds & try n channel your ‘hyper-ness’ into something productive but try not to over tire yourself.

I have quite a big personality anyway & l was just a very OTT Version of ‘Me’......

You will need to taper down & 1mg drops on a Slow Taper will suit you better l think as the difference isn’t quite so dramatic.

Best Wishes

MrsN

Currently on 11mg tapering to 10mg on a Slow Taper & ‘just normal’ 😉

[SheffieldJane]

Definitely, in the early days. If you give us more background we might be able to offer suggestions. It does wear off in time and as you lower your dose.

[Maisie1958]

😂

[Suffererc]

I am on 4 - 3.5 but feel hyper most of the time. I have always been like this. Go flat occasionally. Was like it b4 PMR. Always had plenty of energy and very fit. Try not to get do things because pain comes back a few days after .

[HanaleiBa]

Yes, very common side effects - I’m surprised the doctors didn’t tell you? In fact, I’ve never met anyone who didn’t have these side effects even on a lower dose. It can also make you super irritable and easy to get angry/upset. And anxious, very anxious almost like you’ve had too

Much coffee. At least for me and the folks I know!

[Constance13 in reply to HanaleiBa]

I'm one! Never had any 'highs' on Pred - or on DMARDS either. We are all soooo different!

[Hankb in reply to Constance13]

Me neither, (I've never had any 'highs' on pred), I've been on them for 6 months, started on 20mg a day and now down to 8.75mg a day and have felt so tired and lethargic from day one. Thankfully I've never had any pain since starting the medication.Prior to getting PMR I was active and felt on top of the world. As you say we are also so different.

[Avadip12]

Yes, it simulates your whole body and makes you feel speeded up. There is a saying that steroid is wonderful for you but hell for family and friends. In fact on higher doses that some poor people have to take for GCA can cause psychosis.

[JanetRosslyn]

I remember I used to talk non stop and really fast, usually about nothing of importance... I could hear myself doing it and it drove me mad, never mind my family!

[SnazzyD in reply to JanetRosslyn]

Yup! 😆

[Pr0jection]

Yes it definitely can. I've always been a bit energetic but lost it all for 4 months before diagnosis when I lay on the bed for 4 months unable to move. After 2 days on 15mg prednisolone I had my life back and was so pleased to be able to catch up on things, I didn't stop. I didn't stop when I was reduced to 10mg, and I didn't stop when I reduced to 7.5mg when I have remained for the last 11 months. I can be hyper during the day but I sit down from around 6.00 p.m. when I have my main meal and this seems to relax me. I go to bed fairly early and even though I wake up periodically throughout the night I get sufficient sleep although not a lot of deep sleep. Whether this is caused by the pred or general old age (I'm 78) I don't know. I only know that I've now more or less accepted that I'll stay on 7.5mg for quite a while if I can continue to feel well and active. Going back to pain and inactivity is unacceptable although I will try to slowly taper later this year to try to get to 5mg.

[PMRCanada]

At my highest dose (20mg), I found that my emotions ran high, and sleep was elusive. I’m currently on 9mg and no more sleep interruptions but at times I do find myself feeling very sentimental and I cry (usually during wonderful life experiences). It will likely get better as you lower your dose.

When I tapered down from 15mg, I did so 1mg at a time every month or so. When I got to 10mg I had to drop in .5mg increments.

[Karendeena]

Iamhappy, I'm just the same, drives me nuts tbh, can't settle! Asked my GP she said this can be a side effect

[humlies]

Well, I had plenty of insomnia especially in the early days, but none of these highs that (most of) you are talking about ! I'm just wondering whether to be envious or not......

[Iamhappy in reply to humlies]

Well was wide awake at 4.30 am went for my walk at 5. Did some gardening only stopped because of rain. 8.pm I’m shattered . Take meds early so I can sleep .

[humlies]

Have a good night................................