I was prescibed prednisone for serious sinus issues; 60 mgs. for 5 days and gradually tapering off over 14 days total. About 1/2 way through I began feeling deeply dipressed and had quick weight gain. Since I had quit smoking only 8 weeks previous to this, I had already gained some weight but felt I had my eating back under control. I had also been using Zyban to help me through the quitting smoking but had stopped just a day or 2 before starting this prednisone regimen. At the thime, I thought my depression was a result of the weight gain which I blamed on the non-smoking/metabolism shift(?). Never the less, I was a mess; crying all the time, not wanting to be around anyone, exhausted. I had such an argument with my daughter and husband, I ran out and bought cigarettes and smoked! Stupid, I know but I was definately out of control. As the days went by and the depression got worse I decided to check the side effects for prednisone. Could this REALLY be a result of the prednisone? I've been off it now for 10 days and I still don't feel much better yet. I don't seem to be still gaining weight but I am still depressed. Does anyone know how long it takes for this to be totally out of your system? Any info would be greatly appreciated
Can prednisone cause depression and how long does it take to get out of your system?
Question posted by upset in Boston on 23 July 2012
Last updated on 8 April 2022
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Answers Page 2
Yes, yes, yes. Prednisone causes emotional changes and increased anxiety. Especially at your level. Call the doctor and tell him about your side effects. He should be able to give you something like Xanax to get you through this time. It helps one feel back in control of ones moods.
You figured out most the issues. Keep a low salt diet to reduce the water weight gained. Good news is when you end, the weight will drop off.
At sixty you will be pretty hyper. Stay away from anything disturbing including films, TV and switch to only happy things. Read, rest. You can do this. Getting healthy is the goal. Glad it will be temporary. Oh, and be sure you talk with family so they know this is not the normal you and that the meds do this. It does help things go smoother.
Your friend, endless prednisone, getting through seven years of this med and stayin' alive. Karen
Can long term high doses of Prednisone cause long term, possibly permenent depression? I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid at age 5. A very severe case which in time destroyed every one of my joints. Anyway because I had fluid build up around the heart wall, they put me on massive doses of prednisone at age 7 that lasted until I was 18. Every year it tapered off but for 5 years I probably took close to 20 to 28 prednisone pills a day.
I see all the people that are suffering from long term use of prednisone and the problems. Has anyone truly told you the effects on your body and why. I went with my husband who truly felt he was dieing because of pain, anxiety, muscle spasm and depression to the doctors and I says doctors because we saw everyone to find out what was wrong with him. As it turns out when you are on long term use your adrenal glands stop working on their own which is necessary to fight stress, even just deal with stress, ruins your metabolism, gives you pains and spasms you never had before and when you see a doctor or ER they look at you like you are crazy but no one checks for Cushing's syndrome which is from Prednisone. Look it up and although it can be reversed most times not all but most, it is a long a painful scary battle so if you do not need to be on prednisone please avoid like the plague or at least take it for the least amount of time.
My husbands doc actually admitted that although he prescribes it he would never take it. Can you believe that... Well stay strong and remember the battle is long, like 6 months for my husband but we will battle it together. Stay close to those who will help you and run from those who will aggravate the situation.
Ive been on predisone for 4 years for my kidney two months ago i was on a wean off 15mg to 10mg to 5mg then 1mg i got really ill so the renal doctor put me on 20mg been on the 20 for nearly a month ive been feeling reallly depressed these last 2 weeks i cant concentrate i get angry real quick feels like a cloud sadness just dropped on me crying nearly everyday next i notice ive got a bald patch on my head and its getting bigger my hairs falling out went to see a hair specialist friday he said its probably the long term predisone and stress can cause this on top of predisone ... sooo frustrated right now
I have finished my Prednisone regimen (started at 10mg in January) as of August 8th. From then to now, I am having pain symptoms erupt in different parts of my body (bladder, back, knees, gastro) not related to my previous symptoms which put me on Prednisone in the first place.
My body is sensitive to many meds in general and I just wonder if all of these new symptoms are post Prednisone related. I have developed anxiety and depression because of these new pain symptoms that are traveling around my body. I've seen doctors and still seeing them to address these symptoms.
Related topics
Further information
- Prednisone uses and safety info
- Prednisone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prednisone (detailed)
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