He has been on and off prednisone for the past ten years. Unfortunately, he now believes he should remain on it for the rest of his life. He is not well, mentally or physically and the only good thing the prednisone does is keep his joints from hurting so much now. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis about 15 years ago and the only medicine that seemed to help since then has been prednisone. He has already had cataract surgery at the age of 41, had his colon removed completely and has osteoporosis.

I am sorry to hear this. God Bless and I will pray.

thanks for the prayers, they are much needed as he is very sick, mentally, emotionally and physically now. There is not much i can do anymore, except leave him alone or he rages at me. I have had enough and I will do my best to have compassion for his illness. That is best and if he chooses to stay on this medication he will probably suffer more side effects, there is simply nothing more to do other than watch him go to specialist after specialist for the rest of his life. He sees a neurologist, gastroenterologist, general practitioner, colon & rectal surgeon, orthopedic group and any other doctor that he thinks will be beneficial. I think if he were to take the energy he expends seeing all of these specialists so often that he could be in much better physical shape if he just exercised a bit and ate right. He refuses to eat half the time when he is in one of his mood swings. Sad, but true, he probably makes himself feel terrible with the way he treats his own body. he won't listen either, every time anyone makes a suggestion to him to gain weight or exercise he just blows them off and says he doesn't need to. He thinks people are demanding when they are just suggesting better more healthy ways for him to live. His rational thinking has gone out the window when it comes to his health. .

Hey Debera,
Prednisone does NOT harm the liver long term. And it has not made ME mean.

JC

Native Floridian,
You are in a very difficult situation, but I don't think that it is being caused by Prednisone.

This fellow is angry about feeling ill, and would most likely rage with or without Prednisone. Is he REALLY ill, or is he a hypochondriac?

And are you sure you are not supplying the masochistic component to his supplying the sadistic component in a sadomasochistic relationship?
http://www.medilexicon.com/medicaldictionary.php?t=77347
JC

Whew, now that's something to look into! I'll do the research and get back to ya! Thanks.

Hey NF,
Alright.

Hearing that this fellow has been having health problems for fifteen years and has been taking Prednisone on and off for ten of those fifteen years, and that he has become a person who is ready to rage at the drop of a hat, along with your having stood by him through all of this, is an indication that even though the situation is obviously extremely difficult and stressful, there must be something that keeps you from breaking out of the situation.

Am not sure if you are familiar with "game theory", but the book "The Games People Play" by Eric Berne is a wonderfully insightful book on the mechanics of human relationships, and how to deal with difficult situations such as the one you describe.

Might I add that mood swings such as is exhibited in bi-polar (manic/depressive) behavior is another indication that one is unhappy about something, in this case, it is apparently his ill health.

Depression is "passive anger" and mania is "agressive anger". Manic/depressive behavior is oft times the way the bi-polar person "controls" those around them.

You wrote: "I think... that he could be in much better physical shape if he just exercised a bit and ate right. He refuses to eat half the time when he is in one of his mood swings."

If he ate better and exercised, he would be in better physical shape. If he was in better physical shape, he wouldn't be able to rage about his illness. If he were not able to rage at those around him, the wouldn't have as much control over them. So perhaps he is using his illness as a tool to maintain domination. This is a strategy used by the basically insecure person. And one would think that all one had to do was make this person feel secure, and everything would be alright. Alas, showing a person that they have no need to be insecure only reinforces the efficacy of their strategy.

As was said previously, you are in a very difficult situation.

BTW, sadomasochistic relationship can be quite rewarding and satisfying if the game players know what they are doing. For a very insightful example, the movie "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolfe" with Liz Taylor and Richard Burton is quite a nice romp thorough the mechanics of a sadomasochistic relationship. Alas, few people who are in that kind of relationship recognize it as such. They think it is "real", which is another reason to come to understand "game theory".

There are, BTW, quite a few books along with "The Games People Play" on "game theory", such as "Finite and Infinite Games" by James P. Carse, and "The Master Game" by Robert S. DeRopp.

Also if you will Google "Game Theory" you will find, the whole world is viewed by those running the world as a huge game, with "actors", its own language, and an entire set of very specific rules.

Anyway, NF, will await with abated breath that which you find in your research.

Take excellent care, and here's hoping you are well.

JC

JC,

I don't think I am supplying any part of a sadomasochistic relationship. That doesn't mean this person isn't self defeating. Lately, I have taken a step back and am looking at my life much differently. Professionals tend to agree with you, insecurity is the root problem. Unfortunately, I can not change someone else's insecurities, only mine. What he has been through in the past few years causes him to be more insecure. Alot of us are insecure in many ways and it is just part of human nature.

I am well and glad so many comments were made here. I am sorry that you don't believe that prednisone taken long term can have bad affects. Maybe the combination of drugs you are on keeps that from taking place? I just know that this man has only taken that one drug and refuses to take anything else. He won't even take an aspirin, tylenol, or advil. He is a tough nut to crack, very set in his ways, and yes, he comes from a long line of hypochondriacs which basically drive me crazy talking about all of their ailments every time I see them! That does not mean he has not had his share of true medical conditions, but it does mean that he has cried wolf one too many times. I get my facts straight from his doctors now and make my own conclusions from test results. No more discussions with a hypochondriac.

I'll be doing some reading and movie watching soon, thanks for the titles!

I take 60 mg/day of prednisone for an optic neuritis, and for a month now since taking it have only felt very happy and highly energetic. I have felt some hunger, but I've been able to control it with snacking on fruits. I also take a mood stabilizer and I'm not certain if this is the reason why I'm not feeling the strange irritable mood swings like others here have stated. I am pretty sure the mood stabilizer is controlling the mood swings. Maybe this could be helpful to others as something they could discuss with their doctors and experiment with. I was able to get sufficient hours of sleep, but my body is hardwired to wake up like 5 am each day probably because I'm a morning person.

Sounds like the mood stabilizer is a good thing. Thank goodness my husband finally has stopped taking the prednisone. It gave him cataracts after he took it for a long time (10 years). Hope you don't have to stay on it too long.