I'm home, on a ton of medications, Prednisone is awful, I'm hungry all the time?

Hi there Midwestma! Very happy you are home and recovering. Me personally, haven't been on prednisone. My mom and hubby have both been prescribed it. My hubby had the "taper" and mom the maintenance doses. Since my mom has been on it the longest, I'll refer to her. She has an increased appetite and weight gain. She also finds it difficult to sleep but doesn't think it's the prednisone doing that. She thinks it's from other meds or stresses in her life. As you know, everyone reacts differently to all meds. But if it gets to the point where you lose sleep, gain too much weight, you really should talk with your doc about an alternative. I'm not sure exactly why you are on the steroid but hopefully you may be able to stop a few of the meds in the future. I know my mom is on all types of meds to keep her condition(s) in check, but really none of them are considered "as needed" except for her pain meds.

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By the way, I'm sorry I missed your daughters responses on here. I haven't been doing so great myself recently but hope to be back full swing in the near future. Take care of yourself and hope to see you soon.
your friend,
chris

Hi midwestma, I too would like to welcome you home. Being in a hospital, though sometimes necessary, is a much better place to be out of than in. I read all the posts from your daughter and she is a real gem, that one. How concerned and how much love was in her words was very heartwarming. It speaks volumes of who you are! I take cortisone, so I am very familiar with it, though prednisone differs in small ways. I took prednisone for many years though. The problems you are having are undoubtedly from the prednisone, and your reason for taking it would tell if you could go down on your dosage. Most of the time, Doctors only put you on the dose that is necessary to treat the problem, but there are times they can cut it down a bit. If they do though, it could exaserbate your medical problem, so be sure to ask him if the dose you are on is absolutely necessary.

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Your body will eventually adjust itself to the dose you are now on if that amount is what you have to stay on, and some of those side effects can subside, but others could remain. Tell the doctor that you want the smallest dose he can give you safely, but remember that you may be on that dose now, and the side effects may be better than the problems you face without it. Cortisone (prednisone) is a miracle drug, but it has a very sharp double edge. It is so good for treating so many things, but does have side effects (as all medications do). A lot depends too, on if this is temporary, or if if this is a permanent medicine you will always be on. If it is temporary, know that as soon as you stop, your body will begin to return to it's "pre-prednisone" state. There has been a lot of controversy on it's use, because of some of the more severe side effects that you might have, but the primary outcome is almost always in favor of it's use, as the problems you would have without it, can be much more devastating. It is an amazing anti-inflammatory, and anti-itch, and as a deterrent to tissue/organ rejection to name a few - there are so many good things; it truly is a wonder drug. And I say that because if it were not for this particular medication, I would not be here. I have been taking it for about 29 years, so I am a walking, talking picture of both the good and the bad long term effects of cortisone. I am alive versus I have some side effects that I don't much like, to say the least, but most people would would say the trade off is a no brainer. Your best solution is to sit down with your doctor and take the time to tell him not only what is happening right now, but discuss what will or might happen in the future. I wish you the best of luck. I pray things will work out for you and your family. God bless... beanmarie

Hi midwestma, I am glad to see that you are home. I was getting very worried, because your daughter put on an open post to tell us of your condition and she didn't post again (which probably meant you were getting better) that was so thoughful to let us know you were gravely ill. At any rate, yes, I was on presidone in the hospital for pnuemonia. Everytime the nurse would come in I would get so mad! Of course they had to put in in my IV so there was always another sleepless night. My mom has to take them every now and again, because she has bronchitis and COPD. She gets irritated and grumpy. She is very sleepy, yet cannot fall asleep and she gets all jittery as hell! Your side effect "symptoms" sound quite normal for that medication. You will eventually adjust to being on the predinsone. I hope to see you (well hear that you) are up and about real soon. Please keep me posted on how you are doing.

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I remember telling your daughter you were the first person I ever added as a friend here. You were very kind to me when I was new. If there is anything I can do please feel free to ask. Love Fall Queen

HI midwestma... this may be a bit tardy but .. dec/29/09, i went to the hospital e.r, got processed , put in a e.r exam rm., was sitten there after they hooked me up to monitors,then dont remember but bits /peaces, didnt even know 4 days went by in i.c.u, i evedently went into resp. arrest and completly died for allmost 6 1/2 min's.anyway , the point is ... after i was in my norm. hosp. room , they put me on a massive dose of "P" 185mgs perday, i stayed awake for 4 days in the hospital, walking the halls all night, never slept,was starved, , i ate everything i could find that i could stand to eat (pred.

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made food taste terrible) i really never acturly went to deep sleep for 10 days home, i started holucinating,Going night and day 300m.p.h train wreck in my head , i went to the e.r,after 11 days, insisted they admit me and counter act the prednizone,i couldnt maintain any more.that stuff is really bad news, (talk to your doc ,get off it as soon as you can) , it does help me breath but the trade off isnt worth it to me took 2 large injections of duloten in a 1-1/2 hrs. time , took 2-1/2 hrs total to turn me in to a limp bag o tatters on the floor. the first shot shoulda knocked king kong on his butt , i,m justa little guy, i was like a wacked out speed junky till i hit the floor, they say you cant drop off the pred.got to tapper ,,, hummm , i did , and i,m better for it !!all your simptoms are the prednizone ,most your food tasts like burned cooking grease,,, i wish ya the best !!!
B.L