Can't sleep on prednisone.

I started on 15 mg and I was so thrilled to feel the pain go away that I was able to sleep a bit better. Maybe your body needs to adjust to the steroid. Give it some time and see if it gets better. I took in it the morning as well.

I started prednisone in 2011, 15mg then 20. I had similar sleep issues. One of my doctors said to try Benadryl at night. It helped me. When I got to 10mg sleep got much better, and I stopped using Benadryl Also I switched to decaf coffee.

I started on 20 and became extremely wired. I was told that Prednisone is “enervating.” After a sleepless week or two my doc let me drop down to 10mg, which still did the job but didnt interfere with sleep. Perhaps you’re taking more than necessary. I wouldn’t cut back without checking with your doc however.

I started at 60 mg of prednisone to treat GCA and PMR. I had really bad insomnia until I tapered to 40 mg. It took me 3 months to taper that much. During that time I took a daily dose of 5 mg time released melatonin. It would make me feel groggy the next day, but I was at least able to sleep 5 hours a night. You could try a lower dose first to see if that works for you, like 1 or 3 mg.

I've recently added Magnesium to my evening pills which also include tart cherry (a natural source of melatonin) and CalmsForte a homeopathic sleep aid. Now and then I add Benadryl. I feel lucky to get 6 hours and I also take a 30 minute nap after lunch.

My rheumatologist gave me Zopiclone 3,5 mg that I took for a couple of days. Best thing ever. I was so exhausted from hardly getting any sleep that I started being accident prone from utter exhaustion.
There is no harm in sleeping pills for two or three nights once in a while according to him
And my general practitioner as well

Yes dear dont worry it usually happens with steroid ..and the side effects go away with the treatment completion...untill you are on treatment you may use sleeping pills no worries

I was where you are.
I’ve found that second to Prednisone, sleep is crucial!

Go to your PCP or Rheumatologist and tell them you can’t sleep because of the Prednisone. If they don’t offer, tell them that you want a prescription to “non-addictive” sleeping pills. (You want a doctor to know so it is in your file and they are aware that you are taking them.
My PCP, of 25 years, knows OTC sleep-aids don’t work for me, and he immediately said, “Done. Pick them up today.”

I began sleeping eight hours again. After about three weeks I began skipping them and now only take them about 2-3 times a week. Sleep is when our bodies and minds heal. I know
I need sleep.

Benefit vs risk…
It not even a question.
Sleep is gold!

I'm 71, diagnosed with PMR April 2025, taking 7.5 mg prednisone and tapering. I was recently diagnosed with sleep apnea. Drops in oxygen levels can add to inflammation and problems with cortisol not to mention heart issues. I just started using a CPAP machine and I am starting to feel better. It was about a month of trial and error with trying different masks and pressure and other settings but with good support from the sleep doctor and manufacturer of the equipment, I think it's finally working for me. I think I developed sleep apnea because of the redistribution or gain in weight because of prednisone around my neck and torso.
Just thought I mention this if some folks aren't sleeping well.