Prednisone side effects on partner

Posted by rosemammag @rosemammag, Aug 1 2:43am

My Husband was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis about 15 years ago before we got together. It was managed with Sulfasalazine up until a year and half ago he was hospitalized from extreme anemia and needed several blood transfusions. We almost lost him, it was scary. In the last 6 months the doctors decided to change course and get him on a IV infusion to treat his UC. They also put him on a high dose of prednisone. The first corse of infusions didn’t work well unfortunately, so until they could get him on a new higher dose & more frequent treatment with the IV infusions, he’s stayed on the prednisone. Now for 6 months.
I see him but he’s not there. He’s not himself any more. He can be mean, insensitive, quick tempered. He seems to sundown so I know it’s worse at night. So I try to just give him space. He’s put on a lot of water weight and acne I know inside he’s miserable. It’s so hard though! I feel like a monster. It’s so confusing I wouldn’t stay with a person that treats me like this but it’s not his fault. I’m trying to just be patient and leave him alone if he needs. I really just could use some support because I don’t know what I’m doing. It feels so backwards.

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Your situation, and his, are tough ones! Since he got so sick from the UC, it’s essential for his disease to be controlled. The IV infusion, if a biologic monoclonal antibody, will take a few doses before it becomes effective. Once that occuhe should be able to taper off the Prednisone. Prednisone can definitely cause personality changes, irritability, etc. I think you are doing the right thing when he gets mean or nasty. Getting away from him gives him a chance to cool off and protects you from being hurt by his behavior. I would discuss this with his doctor. There are several good drugs for UC that might work faster to allow him to get off the Prednisone or at least on a lower dose. If his doctor knows what is happening, an alternative treatment might be suggested.
It sounds like you are being very patient and continuing to help him in spite of his undesirable behavior. Give yourself credit for that! Hopefully this is a temporary situation and will be resolved soon with more aggressive treatment.

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I was on high dose prednisone for almost a year for severe Uveitis with Psoriatic Arthritis. Along with the prednisone came a short temper, no sleep with severe prednisone induced insomnia (which doesnt help mood), moon-face, the hump on back of my neck, and 35 lb weight gain. I wish I had felt comfortable about starting biologics sooner so I could stay off the prednisone. I first tried Remicade, but had a reaction which caused me to delay any other biologic treatment. After about 6 months at that point, I started Humira…a life-saver! All the bad temper, and other side effects eventually went away (not all the weight gain, 🤷‍♀️). I suggest starting a biologic treatment as soon as you can. Your husband will feel much better…and so will you. Get your lives back!

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Thank you for sharing your story, I’m so sorry you had to go through that! I have multiple autoimmune diseases including ankylosing spondylitis, but haven’t had to go on prednisone so I can’t imagine on top of everything having to take a medicine that makes you feel bad too. My husband started Remicade at a lower dose 4 months ago and went off prednisone for a week and he became incredibly anemic again. So they had to reschedule a much stronger dose. I know his doctor mentioned Humira, but the insurance won’t cover it until they see whether that Remicade is not working.😑 This last Friday he started back, (Day1) on the high dose of Remicade. So I guess we’ll see.🤞🏻🤞🏻 I know and see the light at the end of the tunnel, it feels close! I hope your health continues to improve with Humira.🙂

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I’m so sad to read this and so glad you’re sharing. I’ve been on prednisone for multiple anutoimm diseases for almost 9 months and wow, I know it affects me and my husband. I worry about him as a caregiver all the time. For me it’s insomnia and cushings symptoms so even though the prednisone helps with pain and mobility, I’m still so sedentary. That’s really hard on both of us. I do hope his doc is helping with the personality changes, aggression, and sundowning. There are meds and social supports that can help so much, I think. Especially with your own health issues, it’s important to take care of your stress levels too! It’s so good you understand it’s not really him & the impact is real. Strength to you!

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