When do side effects from Prednisone start?

[vtkim]

Been off and on Prednisone over the last 3 weeks. I was on 10 mg for 10 days, dropped to 5mg yesterday. So far the only side effects i've had are increased insomnia & awful night sweats. How long before the dreaded other side effects start?

[Polywotsit PMRGCAuk team member]

You know, in order to kick the PMR symptoms into touch, it's recommended that you start on 15mg a day and reduce after two or three weeks to, say 12.5mg a day and then 10mg a month or so after that. You are yo-yo-ing a bit. Don't take them in the evening before you go to bed. They do interfere with sleep patterns, especially when you first start on them. The weight gain and change to facial shape don't happen to everybody. If it does happen to you, it will probably be a gradual process over three months or so. More insidious issues such as osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes take longer, but you should start to protect yourself from osteoporosis immediately. But the 'good news' is that while you are on 5mg they are not doing you much harm. Problem is they might not be doing you much good either!

[m33ary]

I'm on steroids now fro PMR for almost 3 years. My weight gain started after about a year. I started on 20mgs and have not managed to get below 8mgs and now back up to 15 as pain is difficult to manage.My rheumatologist prescribed Amitriptyline 20mgs for what I called my wake nights! It helps with the night sweats too. I'm now down to 10mgs at night and it really helps. Hope you continue to improve.