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Prednisone Trial and Resulting Side Effects
I have Chronic pancreatitis with a non-cancerous mass on the pancreas head, and have been on a Steroid Trial to determine Autoimmunity since December 2022, starting dose 40mg. At first, the Steroid seemed to be really helping me regain the energy, although not an appetite. Now, my symptoms include "Moon Face", a constant battle to balance my blood sugars and hydration, constipation, pressure ulcers, and a weird feeling of stress/anxiety...like my hormones are out of balance. My GI has not ordered any labs since I started the trial, nor has he requested that I monitor my blood sugar or anything else. He plans to order another CT in March to see if the Mass has been reduced.
I'm in the tapering stage this week at 30mg but just don't feel well and the "Moon Face" is driving me crazy because normally I have a very small, slender face. Any suggestions or advice appreciated.
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Hopefully the moon face symptoms will decrease as you taper off of the prednisone. Here's some information on the topic.
-- 8 Prednisone Side Effects + How to Minimize Them - From ‘moon face’ to mood issues
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/8-prednisone-side-effects-how-to-minimize-them/
"Now, my symptoms include "Moon Face", a constant battle to balance my blood sugars and hydration, constipation, pressure ulcers, and a weird feeling of stress/anxiety…like my hormones are out of balance."
Prednisone replaces a hormone called cortisol that the adrenals produce. Cortisol levels are normally regulated by a complex system called the HPA axis. Too much or too little cortisol circulating in the bloodstream has far reaching effects on the body.
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/Hormones-cortisol-and-corticosteroids
In essence, hormone levels are out of balance when we take prednisone.
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