1. < Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR)

Psyche Side Affects with Prednisone

Posted by kareena @kareena, Jan 26, 2023

I have been taking 10 mg of Prednisone for six weeks. I didn’t experience any psyche side affects until three weeks ago.

Right after I take my dose, I get very angry. I start building immediate resentments.

I also have experienced depression with suicidal thoughts. My sense of humour, dry as it is, has virtually disappeared.

I burst into tears quite frequently.

I recognize and remind myself that it is the
Prednisone but lately even that does not work.

This is not who I am. It’s like looking through a window at a person, I no longer know.

My coping strategies every morning on awakening are:
1. Meditating
2. Reiki
3. Gratitude List
4. Reading several short meditations; The Language of Letting Go being my Favourite.
5. I move but severe arthritis in my lower back, prevents me from standing more than 30 minutes without sitting or lying down.
6. I am currently doing EMDR therapy.

I do try not talk to friends about it because it is difficult for them to understand as most do not experience the pain I do.

And I live right beside Victoria British Columbia; in a tourist town. It is by the ocean and one of the most beautiful places in Canada but lately I cannot enjoy it because of the psych side affects.

How do you cope with the psych side affects?

Thank you for listening

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Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 26, 2023

Hi @kareena, Sorry you are having some really bad side effects of prednisone. I've been on it twice when my PMR was active but was fortunate not to have the side effects like you describe. There is an older discussion that seems to be describing something similar here:
-- Prednisone Side Effects: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone-side-effects/

Have you discussed any possible alternative medications with your doctor or rheumatologist?

REPLY
kareena | @kareena | Jan 26, 2023

My polymyalgia has been pretty much arrested with the prednisone.

He wants to keep on 10 mg for another two weeks to rule Giant Cell….

The we will start reducing it. I read the posts you suggested and it didn’t make any recommendation in dealing with the psyche issues I have been dealing with.

I thank you for your post.

REPLY
2 replies
johnlo | @johnlo | Jan 26, 2023
In reply to @kareena "My polymyalgia has been pretty much arrested with the prednisone. He wants to keep on 10..." + (show)
@kareena

My polymyalgia has been pretty much arrested with the prednisone.

He wants to keep on 10 mg for another two weeks to rule Giant Cell….

The we will start reducing it. I read the posts you suggested and it didn’t make any recommendation in dealing with the psyche issues I have been dealing with.

I thank you for your post.

Jump to this post

I have no Pred. That I believe is my problem...can't get it.

REPLY
Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 26, 2023
In reply to @kareena "My polymyalgia has been pretty much arrested with the prednisone. He wants to keep on 10..." + (show)
@kareena

My polymyalgia has been pretty much arrested with the prednisone.

He wants to keep on 10 mg for another two weeks to rule Giant Cell….

The we will start reducing it. I read the posts you suggested and it didn’t make any recommendation in dealing with the psyche issues I have been dealing with.

I thank you for your post.

Jump to this post

Here's a fairly recent (Sept 2022) article on some of the mood swing side effects. It sounds like you have a good plan to help deal with the side effects.
-- Prednisone and Mood Swings: https://www.verywellhealth.com/could-prednisone-cause-mood-swings-3867133

REPLY
1 reply
DadCue | @dadcue | Jan 26, 2023

I didn't have any of these negative psychiatric side effects. I only had euphoria and felt invincible and energetic with seemingly no need for sleep anymore. I told my doctor how fantastic I felt and he only said that perhaps I needed to start decreasing my dose. He said I was feeling too good!

REPLY
kareena | @kareena | Jan 26, 2023
In reply to @johnbishop "Here's a fairly recent (Sept 2022) article on some of the mood swing side effects. It..." + (show)
@johnbishop

Here's a fairly recent (Sept 2022) article on some of the mood swing side effects. It sounds like you have a good plan to help deal with the side effects.
-- Prednisone and Mood Swings: https://www.verywellhealth.com/could-prednisone-cause-mood-swings-3867133

Jump to this post

Thank you John for the article. That pretty much describes what I am like without the Euphoria.

REPLY
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