Methylprednisolone and Anxiety: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Ada...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "Prescribed for a back injury. Only took the 6 pills from the pack on the first evening and felt very strange within 2 hours. I got a migraine, felt my muscles tighten, I got very anxious, then depressed, all the while my heart raced. I’m just glad I found this site where I see that I’m not alone in experiencing side effects. Oh, I guess my pain is somewhat alleviated for now. We’ll see in the morning."

• Kev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 25, 2019

For Asthma "I've been taking the methylprednisolone dose pack 4 mg for three days now. I feel like it's already ruined my life. I had no prior history of anxiety or panic attacks, but I've woken up every day feeling like I'm going to die of a heart attack since I've taken it. I now have unbearable anxiety, panic, and terrifying shortness of breath that is only relieved for brief periods of time by Xanax. I am literally in tears over this as a grown man. I'm afraid to go to sleep. I wouldn't recommend this drug to my worst enemy. Avoid it at all costs."

• Mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 14, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I suffer from severe health anxiety and a medication phobia. When I'm prescribed a drug, I come onto these sites and scour the reviews, usually terrified from all the negative ones I see. I'm not sure why people leave these extremely negative reviews. I guess they just want to share their experience. But what happens is those experiences frighten people like me who don't really have a choice in taking a prescribed drug. Let me now tell you my experience. I read that this drug can change your mood, make you anxious, etc. I suffer from many mental health issues, including panic disorder, so of course, I was very worried to take this drug. I can tell you right now that I had no side effects while taking this drug. There was only one night where I felt a little anxious -- maybe comparable to how I would feel having two cups of coffee. To remedy this, I drank some calming tea and used my weighted blanket at night. Other than that, it was completely fine."

• Mag...
• February 15, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "Doc injected my hip (which needs to be replaced) to alleviate pain. I was a fool for allowing him to inject me! Within 2 days, the anxiety was so bad I couldn’t leave the house. Pain did diminish, however. Three weeks later, I’d put on five lbs, breasts were swollen/tender, and my hair was shedding. Two months later, I herniated two discs and, against my better judgment (I was bedridden with pain), took Medrol pack. Three weeks later, and the same side effects are tormenting me! I’d rather be in pain than deal with side effects. For me, steroids are the worst!"

• Aut...
• November 21, 2020

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed a 6-day course of 4 mg methylprednisolone tablets to quicken the healing of an infection by the root of my tooth post-root canal. I took my first two pills around 12 p.m. By 1 p.m., I was experiencing unbearable pressure in my head, especially behind my eyes, sensitivity to light and swelling in both eyes, weakness, body pains, nausea, and a lot of anger/anxiety. After two hours, my eye/head pressure subsided around 80%, and my nausea was gone. I felt comfortable to try taking my second dose of two pills at 5 p.m. Within 30 minutes, all of my bad reaction symptoms came back tenfold, my left eye swelled badly and bulged. I had to go to emergency care. I was instructed to stop taking the pills and see an eye doctor if needed. It's been 16 hours since my last dose, and I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I suffer from chronic migraines, and I've never felt a headache like this. Thankfully, my eye swelling and bulging subsided, but I am still having light sensitivity and pain."

• Fus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2016

For Inflammatory Conditions "31 days post-op from fusion in my neck and microdiscectomy in my lower back. Overall, surgeries were a great success, and 85% of all pre-surgical symptoms are gone. Still having pretty bad leg, hip, and pain around the sciatic region as they were present five years and will, of course, take time to subside. I was recently put on my second 7-day 4 mg methylprednisolone pack, and the first 24 hours have been hell. Level 10 pain in my leg, where they made room for the nerve and removed bone, and sore hips. These pills suck in the first few days. Having taken them before, I know they work wonders, but appetite through the roof, paranoid as I have ever been, can't sleep, and pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

For Asthma, acute "Some relief from methylprednisolone after 30 mins with a single injection. Breathing better, opened up lungs, feeling able to absorb oxygen again, thankfully. Now, 6 hours later, still not 100 percent. Feeling irritable and nervous, like I can’t shut down to go to sleep... annoyed with everyone. Still getting shortness of breath when being active (walking, tending to kids). Just wanted to add I did fall asleep, woke up at 2:00 am clenching my teeth, have a headache now. 12 hours after the injection, I’m back to being out of breath when sitting still... good luck."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 8, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Orthopaedic surgeon gave me two spinal injections for pain due to much deterioration, arthritis, etc. Wonderful relief!! He also gave me the 4 mg methylprednisolone Medpak. I put off taking it for many days because my pain was gone, and since I read the horrible reviews, I only took 'one' pill, just 1, and I was jittery & pacing & had to pee every 20 minutes. UGH. So I thought, well maybe after time your body gets used to it & it won't be as bad. Wrong idea big time!!! I couldn't sleep for two days, couldn't concentrate or think straight. So needless to say, I stopped taking it."

• kai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I took this for about 6 days, realized it wasn’t doing anything but making me feel weird and slightly dizzy. 2 days later, I have a full-blown anxiety attack (thought it was a heart attack). Also, extreme headaches that have gotten slightly better after a week, but I still get sharp pains in my head. Also, blurred vision and dizziness. I was prescribed some anxiety medicine, and it has helped for the anxiety part of things, but the other effects are very extreme. Hopefully, they go away, but I say the chance of the aftereffects are not worth the risk of taking this! I’m happy I found this thread and saw it wasn’t just me going through these things."

• B A...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 7, 2023

"I went to my PCP for my leg injury. I had injured my hamstring, and it caused problems with sciatica. The doctor prescribed a Medrol Pak. From night 1, it was a nightmare. Burning skin, urinating every half hour, anxiety to the max. TERRIBLE. I foolishly finished the pack, figuring that tapering off would reduce the side effects. I couldn't sleep, had no appetite, and all the other side effects continued. It's now over 2 months, and I'm still dealing with the side effects. This stuff can be poison! I already have an anxiety disorder, and this has made my life a nightmare. I pray every night that it will go away, unfortunately, it hasn't."

• Wen...
• March 28, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "Prior to my scheduled doctor's appointment, I developed an allergic reaction that caused my skin to itch and flare up. My doctor then prescribed this medication to me to help with the itching, rash, and my swollen glands. The first day of taking it, I felt off. Earlier in the day, I felt hot like I was experiencing a possible hot flash (I'm only 29), my face then became hot and red as though I had been out in the sun for too long. I felt lightheaded, dizzy, unbalanced. I just didn't feel like me. The next day, I didn't feel hot, though, I felt tired, very, very tired. I also felt hungry. I was on edge, I felt so anxious and irritable. I stopped taking it. I will be calling my doctor's office tomorrow. I would rather have swollen glands and itchy skin."

• All...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 6, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I had very severe sciatic pain 7 days ago. The Medrol dose pack reduced pain from 9 to 2. Pain in the shin while walking is reduced but limits walking to a minute without a cane. Started a second dose pack with a little more improvement. The meds did cause some feelings of anxiety and sleepiness. I hope PT gets me back to me."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 6, 2019

"The most horrible experience of my life. A horrible drug! I was given it for a sinus infection. I paced, pulled my hair, couldn't sleep for a week, and couldn't eat. Four 911 calls, four trips to the ER. I was finally told to stop taking methylprednisolone. Then I had withdrawals from stopping cold turkey and felt like I was suffocating and was going to die. Went to a different ER and was given a Xanax to get me through."

• Lad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2015

For Immunosuppression "Currently taking 16 mg of Medrol once a day as part of undergoing IVF, although I've taken it in the past at smaller doses to help with my chronic, moderately severe asthma, which worsens in winter. While I love prednisone for what it does in helping me breathe (and hopefully in successfully helping me achieve motherhood), I hate its side effects. For me, the biggest problem is the anxiety (though weight gain isn't fun). I already have an underlying anxiety disorder, but taking this, especially in higher doses, makes me feel truly 'crazy.' Panic at unbearable levels, insomnia, sweaty, clammy hands and feet, racing heart, irrational/inconsolable...the whole nine yards. I use it strictly as a last (or only) resort and not without caution."

• Jw7...
• May 29, 2016

For Gout, Acute "This drug completely alleviates pain and swelling associated with my acute gout, but I am experiencing side effects of anxiety, restlessness, gas, bloating, abdominal pain, insomnia, mood swings, depression, and paranoid thoughts. I'm looking forward to phasing this out, but thankful for the gout relief!"

• Bri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2018

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "Got the injection in gluteus maximus on Tuesday, Oct 30, 2018... immediately felt like I could breathe better. Next day had really bad jitters, flushing in my face and unable to sleep. After that started having pain in my neck and arm on left side, stomach felt like it was tight and going to burst... 5 days later still feeling very jittery/shaky on the inside and very tired... will NEVER be getting this again... hopefully, the side effects subside."

• Dou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "I started taking this today, went to the Dr., they gave me a steroid shot and then prescribed me this because I'm breaking out in hives all over. It has helped a bit, but I'm still breaking out in hives and feel tingly. The side effects suck because I have a newborn to take care of and I feel wired. I feel sweaty and nervous. I pray this really works to get rid of my hives. I'm so tired of itching!"

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 5, 2016

"Was prescribed the 4 mg dose pack for swelling and bruising after a rhinoplasty. Wow, the side effects are horrendous. Oh, the first day I took the first 6 and experienced the side effects right away: diarrhea, upset stomach, extreme dizziness, feeling faint, shaky, insomnia, anxiety, shortness of breath. Just the worst. My swelling has gone down, BUT swelling is expected to go down around this time, therefore, not sure if it was the methyl. I only took a day's worth and decided that I will discontinue it. So it could very well not have made any difference. Rather have the swelling."

• Dan...
• October 15, 2020

For Neuralgia "This drug is terrible! I finally got some courage to take it this morning. Well, after taking only 1 four mg pill, just 1, I started to feel lightheaded, somewhat dizzy, and my blood pressure, which is always low and normal, was 161/98 and a pulse of 112. This was not from me being worried, I calmed down and took it like an hour later, and it was that high! I can't take this medication! If I took 6 pills at once, I probably would have passed out. I also felt twitching in my kidneys, probably my adrenals! I started to shiver and felt cold, and when people say jittery, they mean it. I tried to sit and had to get up, which made me feel lightheaded. I drank 3 bottles of water and started to feel better, and my blood pressure decreased as the hours went on. I will deal with nerve pain until EMG to find out what is going on, and if possible, do injections so that it doesn't go systemic. I still feel tired and a bit cloudy-headed, couldn't concentrate at all."

• Gen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 7, 2019

Methylprednisolone for Neuralgia "Awful, awful stuff, sent me into severe psychosis for two weeks, constant anxiety and panic attacks, visual and auditory hallucinations. Practically ruined my life!"

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 2, 2020

For Inflammatory Conditions "This makes my face red, makes me jittery, almost like I’m having a panic attack. And I get small headaches in different parts of my head. Try to avoid."

• Kin...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 2, 2017

For Inflammatory Conditions "I have MS, and I love this stuff. It makes me kind of jittery, but nothing knocks out an acute exacerbation like this."