anti depressants and prednisone.

[Mstiles]

Is anyone taking antidepressants while on prednisone? I’m currently on 9 mg

I’ve been on them at various times, but not since I got PMR/GCA. Everything seems to be piling up and I’m having difficulty. I have a therapist, we do phone calls, she’s in Florida and I’m in California.

[Bluey-1]

I take 15mg of Mirtazapine daily before I go to bed. I had months of steroid induced insomnia, anxiety and, I realised, depression, before a course of anti depressants was discussed and suggested by my GP. I think I was on 17.5mg prednisolone at the time, round about November 2022. My sleep and anxiety improved and so far I’ve been tapering successfully over the winter and spring.

[Mstiles in reply to Bluey-1]

thanks for your reply Bluey. Have not heard of Mirtazapine, is there another name for it?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Mstiles]

Remeron.

[Ana-16 in reply to Bluey-1]

Ditto. Also taking Mirtazapine at bedtime and found it very helpful

[winfong]

I've been on antidepressants all my adult life. My condition (extra-crancial GCA with PMR) hasn't helped any, nor has the pred, but I'm managing.

[nallufl24]

I’m on Lexapro. Depression was one of my symptoms of GCA. I’m off of prednisone and GCA is under control but I still take the antidepressant.

[winfong in reply to nallufl24]

They're hard to get off of. The stresses of having PMR/GCA and trying to taper pred are not exactly helping in that regard.

[nallufl24 in reply to winfong]

you’re right. They are hard to wean off of and I’m not going to try until and if I ever go into complete remission and feel mentally able to do so.

[winfong in reply to nallufl24]

I was all ready to start reducing my antidepressant last November, then got Covid (twice), had a major flare, then hurt my hip. Still recovering. Sigh ...

[Poshdog]

Yes, take 50 mgs Sertraline every day and have done for 5 years. Haven't tried weaning off them, too many other things to think about.

[cmToddy]

I have taken both with no negative side effects.

[hurryupharry]

I have taken pred for about 7 years and sertraline for 2 years. The antidepressant also seemed to relieve post operative pain, although it doesn’t suppress the pmr pain in hips and shoulders. I’m not aware of any issues taking both together. Good luck.

[Amkoffee]

Oh boy I have had chronic pain for years and due to that I had to be on antidepressants. So when I came down with PMR I never thought anything of mixing the two kinds of drugs. I am currently on Wellbutrin and Lexapro. And I have no problems with those and my steroids.

[micpenn222]

Yes, I am currently on Mirtazapine in the evening, and Effexor in the morning. I had episodes of depression throughout my life, but was successfully treated by Paxil for the last 25 years. Then along came PMR and Prednisone and three months in I got the side effect of some pretty severe depression and anxiety. My doctor at first upped my Paxil dose but that didn't work, so I was switched over to Effexor. The Mirtazapine was mainly to combat the insomnia from the prednisone, but it is supposed to have an anti depressant effect also. When at it's worse I went through some pretty dark days, and am still not totally recovered from the depression, but not as bad as I once was. I am currently down to 5mgs and hope to get back to my old self as I reduce further. For me there were no problems being on anti depressants along with prednisone, and it's commonly prescribed to combat the prednisone depression in those that experience it.

[KASHMIRI1]

I take amytriptaline

[Coco63 in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Hi Kashmiri1, have you found it has helped with the pain of PMR at all?

[KASHMIRI1 in reply to Coco63]

Good morning l think it definitely helps with the depression not sure about the pain.

[Coco63 in reply to KASHMIRI1]

Ah that’s good news at least! I was asking as I’ve just been prescribed a small amount by my rheumatologist for pain but haven’t taken it yet. I may do a general post question as I’m in agony today! All the best to you 💐

[KASHMIRI1 in reply to Coco63]

I was initially prescribed it for pain but it has helped with the low feelings big time especially since it was upped. I started at 10mg and now take 30mg which has been good. Bit sleepy to start with but that's not unusual with pred.