Diagnosed depression, might have chronic fatigue, why does prednisone help?
Question posted by sandigiffin1 on 17 Sep 2009
Last updated on 5 November 2016
May have chronic fatigue, but diagnosed depression, only med that helped, prednisone? Still unsure what my true condition\illness is. Started with chronic sinus infections (I had surgery for this but it may have caused another issue ENS, still have sinus infections but deeper)/ headach's every day/scalp tender to touch and "indented" on top (seriously) /memory issues(forgetful)/ disorented/ confusion/ low tolorance for any stress/ Extreme fatigue/mental exaustion/ weeping at inapproiate times/uncontrolled upsetting thoughts/ exaustion/ perfuse sweating (not age related)/ Hands numb when waking, lower back extreme pain waking in night/ not getting restful sleep/ legs to knees painful and stiff/ upper middle back pain and pressure between sholder blades/ cracking stiffness in neck and back somewhat releaved by anti-inflamitory meds. finally complete breakdown of physical mental strength, extreme fatigue, could not get out of bed even though I wasnted to, became dizzy to the point of passing out. At times this would come on without warning and I would pass out (sleep). No Depression meds helped, only anti anxity med took edge off. Any stress triggers eithor fatigue or if pushed to have to do mental work... think and concentrate..on something that I ABSOLUTLY HAVE TO DO (like fill out forms, or write even a simple letter) I go into a sortof manic stage where I can not sleep at all... cant shut my mind down, like everything that has bothered me, or trama in my life, all comes back at once. After a week or so it subsideds, and I am back to disorgnization, confustion, fatigue, crying, headachs, and preception of time. I no longer go out, I avoid friends and socializing (not at all my before self). even noise or types of distractions bother me now, I am easly agitated now. one of the most upsetting changes is, When I try to orgnaze things like keeping records or paperwork in order, I find later I have put these things in odd places with no order or reason, that is very scary to me. My doctor still believes this is Depression but now may be more bi-polar and had put me on medication for that, but side affect is i am more disorented. The onley thing that had a marked effect on me was when I became ill (could not catch my breath-shallow short breaths) and was treated with Prednisone, for the first time in almost 2 years I was almost normal, energy and thinking, and mood, I was motivated to get some things accomplished that I had let go for a long time. But I dont know why this had such an effect on me. Medication ended and back to same old.
Why would Prednisone have this effect on depression?
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20 Answers Page 2
DA
Dawnabelle
30 Nov 2009
Many of the symptoms you're having sounds alot like Fibromyalgia.
I hope you find some answers soon!
Good Luck
Votes: +2
EB
ebreezecrespo
3 Oct 2009
I too am in complete disorientation these days. Diagnosed with RA and osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia depression and gyn problems. Started losing the ability to do the simplest thing. Know I can hardly fall asleep because of tingling sensantions. I too went back to almost normal when given prednisone. Doctors all give me differents meds and diagnosis and I know Its not in my head. Side effects of meds have unfortunately gotten into my daily routine of living as well as having to live with the pain of the disease. I hope you find some solice that you are not alone and that frustration only makes our days that much harder for us but hopefully at some point the aggreviation and pain will let us get on with lives.
Votes: +0
HE
heidihoe
21 April 2010
I heard the other day that you can take up to 10mg of prednisolone a day but beyond that ongoing will effect your bones later on.
KE
kellylee
26 Sep 2009
You sound like me in a lot of ways. I still am in the process of trying to get help for the things I was diagnosed with so far. As far as the areas of pain and muscle stiffness you are having, I have problems in the same ways and I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I also have Osteoarthritis in my hip on both sides and I too suffer from Depression. I still have the numbness in my hands and sometimes my feet or other areas but I also was diagnosed as a Type 2 Diabetic about 5 years ago and now I take insulin and oral medications for that. I strongly suggest that you don't give up and decide to live with the problems you have been having because in my case, there was something really wrong and it may be that you need to try going to another medical facility and even have some blood work done to see if that shows anything... which you may have already done.
A rheumotologist or neurologist would probably be a good choice in finding out why your joints and muscles are stiffening and painful. I too, just like you suffer from chronic fatigue and my gosh, I can't get to sleep either and get overly anxious when having to go to an appointment the next day or even when needing to fill out forms... I get so overworked about that mentally and it's like you describe, it's like you can't shut your mind down. So I do hope for you that you are able to get some help. I am still trying to get help for myself and it is especially hard because of my financial situation but don't give up. You must try to push yourself to call around and make appointments and go despite the fears and anxiety because you don't want to lose your will to live and enjoy life by feeling like you feel everyday. Perhaps somewhere along the way you will find the right medications and people to help you feel better. Be Blessed and thank you for sharing the information you did because I thought I was the only one and that the doctors didn't believe me but my symptoms are not in my head and neither are yours.
Votes: +1
HE
heidihoe
9 Oct 2009
Hi I went through 7 years of hunting answers, some doctors think it's all in your head and then you may just come across some wonderful Dr's that try to nut it out and find some solutions. I liked your comment, you can get to the stage where you wonder why keep fighting on, but HOPE is out there and if you can find some peace you can enjoy life some more. There are a lot of people out there with multiple problems and this web site helps them to find solutions too, thanks to all of us for being brave to talk and share.
KE
kellylee
10 Oct 2009
Thanks heidihoe for your encouraging words.
HE
heidihoe
22 Jan 2011
You know I'm going over your question again and it dawns on me that have you ever had your Thyroid checked? Not just a Thyroid function test as sometimes it doen't show anything but a TSH and T3, T4, and even Thyroid globulin. I was told I had Cronic Fatigue, I have RA now and have been through the tiredness etc no energy and foggy head thing, my Mum had Hashimoto's thyroiditis and I had Thyroid Cancer and nolonger have a thyroid found in neck a gland shaped like a butterfly it controls metabolic, heart and other organs running, pituatory gland in base of brain is linked in process for body to work through hormones, it effects so... much of our body and can cause alot of your symptoms. Maybe I'm wrong maybe I'm right but it is worth trying as it causes depressive states etc as well and maybe you don't need to be on as much meds as you currently are if you found the root of all this. It's just some advice you may like to research first abit about it. Good luck I feel for you.
So sorry for u! I understand totally where u r coming from.Ive been dealing w/lots medical probs for last2years.All doctors drive me crazy bcuz they do not know what is wrong w/me either.I have been telling them for over a year that steroids helped me.I discovered it on accident too.They gave me some when i was sick w/bronchitis&my windpipe area was inflammed&disrupted my breathing.I felt so good after i got on those steroids!I forgot how it felt to feel&THINK like a normal human being w/o any pain!Dr finally put me on steroids again a couple of weeks ago.I can actually get out of bed¬ cry bcuz of pain!I can even stand&THINKto cook again for little while.Dr tells me that steroids have helped by decreasing the inflamation through out my body.They still do not know whats causing the inflamation,of course.But w/research ive done,i can confirm:Steroids DO help decrease inflamation in the body.The million$ question is:WHAT IS CAUSING THE INFLAMTION!Find that out&u r a winner!Hope this helps!Good Luck&GOD BLESS!
Votes: +2
IN
Inactive
17 Sep 2009
Some of this sounds like menopause and the brain fog and anxiety that go with it. I am not a doctor but had the brain fog and anxiety during peripause and menopause. Talk to your OB/Gyn and let him/her know and see if they can coordinate with the doc giving the antidepression meds and/or the doc who put you on prednisone. Prednisone does temporarily give you a burst of energy, but, it also may have treated one of the underlying conditions, that is why I suggested the doc coordination. Even if you had a hysterectomy, the body can still go through menopause. Hope you feel better soon.
