Prednisone for Fibromyalgia User Reviews (Page 2)

• Gre...
• July 25, 2019

"I have been battling fibro for about 11 years now. Pain is an issue, however, for me, the most debilitating symptom is lethargy and mental fog. Well, as you can imagine, things pile up around me: tax needs doing, this needs to be done, garage needs cleaning, etc. So, I decided to go back onto prednisolone to do what needs to be done. I started 25 mg for four days, and after the 2nd day, I felt great, energy, less pain, actually got stuff done. Now I am tapering (down to 15 today) and not really feeling great, hmmmm. Book an appointment with the doc today. Not overly hopeful, but who knows. I think this will become my life now. Feel like rubbish most of the time, and when I need to get something done, I will go onto a short burst of pred to get it done. The main drawbacks for me: insomnia (I don't sleep well most of the time anyway, so this really kicks me), ravenous hunger (two breakfasts and three lunches...), and slight agitation."

• Chi...
• September 26, 2017

"I'm on day four with two 10 mg tablets twice daily, and I feel so good! I have fibromyalgia and a bulging disk. I cannot believe how much better I feel. I am looking so forward to meeting with my doctor in 14 days to see what the next step will be. Side effects are minimal: slight headache, heart pounds a bit, but I can move pretty freely. I'll take the bad over the extreme pain any day."

• Emm...
• February 12, 2018

"After almost 2 months, oversleeping, nausea, pain in all and any random joints, chest, throat, jaw, ear, headaches and pains, vertigo, brain fog, affected speech, heavy weak limbs, and all the rest... my first steroid tablet helped me within 30 minutes. It helped all day long. I have had a day off from my cumbersome symptoms with no side effects so far. Can't wait for tomorrow."

• Dun...
• March 14, 2018

"I was actually put on a short-term dose of 50 mg prednisone for pneumonia a couple weeks ago. I have been battling a fibro flare-up for a couple years now. I started taking Tramadol (Reliva) and Tramacet, which worked well but not enough if I actually moved. I have had prednisone in the past, 3 years ago for pneumonia, but for whatever reason, it helped my fibro flare this time too. I'm actually in awe because it has been so long since I've felt this good. I've even cut back on my Effexor (originally prescribed for my GAD 10 yrs ago), something I have had very little success doing in the past. I'm hoping it stays this way for a long time. Amazed my doctor didn't suggest a short-term dose when everything else wasn't working. I'm allergic to gabapentin, so I refuse to take Lyrica. And Effexor is the same family as Cymbalta, so I refused that medication as well."

• Coc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2021

"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia about 20 years ago. Three years ago, I started to get swollen joints, painful feet, plantar fasciitis, enthesitis in my ankles and knees. I also have scalp psoriasis. I was put on 15 mg prednisolone by my GP for 2 weeks, then I had to take 2, then 1 to wean me off. As soon as I got on to 1 a day, all my symptoms came back with a vengeance. Now my rheumatologist has gone back down the road of it's just fibro, and she refuses to prescribe me prednisolone. I am in the most horrendous pain, and I feel so ill. I am back to constant pain and swelling of my joints. I just don't know what to do."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 9, 2024

"I needed to start 10 mg of prednisone when I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica 6 or 7 years ago. The dosage was gradually reduced, and I went off the drug most of the time, except for a small dose (2.5 to 5 mg) for flare-ups. Now I test negative for Polymyalgia, but have terrible, frequent episodes of unremitting sleepiness, along with flu-like aches and pains. I begged my rheumatologist to prescribe a low dosage of prednisone to take just during my episodes, which are rarely more than 3 days long. Today, for the first time, I took 2 mg of prednisone, after feeling like I was too exhausted and achy to function. I am fortunate that so small a dose relieves me of my symptoms and encourage people with fibromyalgia to try just 2 mg for a few days during flare-ups. At this dosage, I experience no side effects, just a renewal of energy and a feeling of good health!"

• Kar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2018

"I have had fibro for about 8 years. I am well managed on duloxetine, but do experience occasional flare-ups. I have been put on prednisone 4 times in 8 years (for a couple of weeks, a tapered dose). The positive effect comes within three doses, every time. Overall pain eases, the bone-deep fatigue lifts and I can think again. Negatives: more trouble sleeping. I get super cranky. Marijuana helps with sleep, but the crankies I just have to wait out."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2023

"I had a major dose due to my back going out for 10 days. 60 mg a day down to 20 mg by the end of the treatment. My fibro symptoms were practically gone. Let’s start treating the cause and not band-aiding with Cymbalta."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 27, 2024

"I have suffered chronic pain for the last 8 months. I just couldn’t understand why my body was in so much pain all over. I couldn’t walk properly or function. The doctor kept giving me all different pain meds, which really only took the edge off the pain. Then I saw a different doctor, and he gave me prednisone. Wow, what a difference! I've got my life back."

• Fru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 12, 2021

"About 10 years ago, I was prescribed prednisone for a pulled muscle in my back. It completely eliminated all my fibromyalgia symptoms, but only at the full dose, so only 2 of 6 days. Due to the severity of my symptoms, I spend all of my time either sleeping or sitting in my recliner. I am extremely disappointed and frustrated that neither my primary care physician nor my pain doctor will prescribe it for me. I could have a normal life with prednisone. Shorter maybe, but I am 76, so I don’t care."

• alt...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 17, 2017

"I was on prednisone for 13 years, gained a lot of weight, went on a low-fat diet, hardly lost any weight. But I will say it is a miracle drug. I had both rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, took 20 mg a day for a long time. Finally, my doctor said we need to get you off this before you weigh 250 lbs. He said I will cut you down a little at a time. I said no, I will stop cold turkey, and I did. He put me on Tramadol and Tylenol 3 as needed. It works pretty good. But it doesn't control the stiffness like the prednisone did. I didn't have any side effects at all from prednisone."

• Jes...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2017

"I had a severe upper respiratory infection that wasn't going away, so the doctor prescribed 7 days of 1 mg prednisone and a dose of 7 days, two times a day, of antibiotics, don't remember the brand name. I have fibromyalgia and numerous bulging disks going all the way down my spine. By day 4, I felt fantastic... normal. It was a real downer to go back to normal."

• JJa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 17, 2019

"I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia for over 6 years. It has gotten bad. I use a cane/walker. I struggle with daily life tasks. I fall and or lose balance a lot. Pain, excruciating. Body locks up. Recently, after a fall, I had a lot of numbness because of inflammation pressing on nerves. Doctor prescribed me prednisone. I have used it many times. It helps a tremendous amount with fibromyalgia in general. Unfortunately, and this is why I gave a lower rating. I have steroid-induced diabetes. I didn't know a thing about it. It is horrible and making me feel so sick. Now I feel the steroid isn't worth the complications it can give you. I pray that when I am done with the steroids it will go away, but very well can turn to full-blown diabetes caused by steroids. I was never told this. After research, I have found that this isn't so rare. So make sure you weigh the risk. I will only take steroids after this round as a last option. I have been so sick with this steroid-induced diabetes."

• Alw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 7, 2023

"I have been officially diagnosed with fibromyalgia since 2017. I have suffered with TMJ, IBS, chronic migraines, and endometriosis since my teenage years. I was also diagnosed with IC, depression, anxiety, sleep disorder, and hypothyroidism. The only medication to effectively work to break the cycles of my constant fibromyalgia flares has been a steroid. I do not take pain medication, except ibuprofen occasionally. Toradol shots are incredibly helpful as well and should be made available to use for home treatments in a crisis. These have also been very successful when administered at an urgent care clinic during a migraine attack or constant inflammation from fibromyalgia. Gabapentin has also helped take the edge off the pain, but some days are still unbearable, and it’s hard for anyone to understand this invisible disease. The depression and anxiety are from the loss of my successful life, coping with chronic pain, and accepting I will never be the same. Stop the judgement!"

• Hev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 28, 2021

"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 4 years ago and have been in constant pain for 5 years. Despite being on Gabapentin, ibuprofen, and cocodamol, I had pain daily. I was put on prednisone for an unrelated eye issue, and for the last 4 weeks, I have been pain-free. It’s amazing, I feel like me before the fibromyalgia. I wake up in the morning and I feel good, I can walk the dog, ride my horse, go to the gym, hike, and climb. I did all these things before, but now I do them without the constant accompanying pain that is always there. I have 2 weeks left of the prednisone, and I’m dreading being without it. I’ve had no side effects and have lost 6 lbs in the last 3 weeks. I’m sleeping better, no increased appetite, nothing. I plan to ask my Dr. if I can stay on a low dose and see if I can manage okay with it."

• win...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2014

"I have had fibromyalgia for twenty years. When I had a bout of poison ivy, my doctor put me on the prednisone step pack. All my pain was gone. I felt great. When I told the doctor about the results, she told me it was dangerous. My endo told me the same thing."

• Alc...
• July 20, 2016

"I have a hip injury. I was given a high dose of a hip cortisone injection. The next day, I was pain-free throughout my body! I forgot what it felt like to be human. The systemic symptoms slowly returned after about 3-4 weeks. I saw a rheumatoid arthritis doctor who ruled out rheumatoid arthritis. Now I am waiting to see a fibromyalgia doctor, but I am hoping to get a medication I can take permanently to get this same relief. I've been dealing with this horrible pain since January 2016, which a great deal of stress had been thrown on me. Help!!"

• Kat...
• August 1, 2016

"I was diagnosed with PMR in early 2012 after an overnight onset in late 2011. I had back surgery in Dec 2011 and thought that had been my problem when I woke up pain-free. Unfortunately, it took only 3 days for the steroids in the meds at surgery to wear off, and the pain returned with a vengeance. I was diagnosed with the PMR and given 20 mg daily of prednisone and started to immediately taper off. After 4 years and transfer to Mayo Clinic, I still am fighting to stay off the prednisone. After a week, I begin to have hand pain, 10 days begins the arm muscle pain, 14 days, and the stiff neck shoulder pain. At 4 weeks, all muscles and joints ache, but no one has diagnosed it as fibromyalgia. Small relief from 800 mg Advil daily. Is this fibromyalgia?"

• Ali...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 15, 2016

"Made me gain 140 lbs over 6 years, no one told me about how steroids affect your sugar and insulin. I'm now diabetic. If you use this medicine, I would strongly recommend talking to a doctor about a carb-free, sugar-free diet to avoid weight gain and diabetes. Did not help with pain at all. Helped me regain control of severe asthma, for that, I'm grateful."

• Kat...
• January 17, 2016

"Put on Solumedrol IV and then take home prednisone, 60 mg, weaned down to 20 now. Reason for taking was not my fibro, but acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, sepsis, bilateral pneumonia, exacerbation of COPD, abnormal CT lungs. This is the WORST medication. I am even more depressed, anxious, hyped up, insomnia worse, no appetite, anxiety attacks, nightmare with terrors, upset stomach, indigestion worse than normal achalasia and GERD, post-op myotomy, Nissen fundo. I feel like dying! I still have some pain, even if all pain from severe DDD, fibro, CMPS, could not tolerate this med. Feel like I am dying. Any suggestions on how to cope? My future will hold many rounds of med with repeated pneumonias, COPD."

• sug...
• August 18, 2017

"I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia when I was 22, and I am about to turn 57 on the 27th of August. It really never bothered me until the last 8 years, and it hit me like a ton of knives. I have tried everything, and nothing seems to help. I went to a rheumatologist, and she diagnosed me with polymyalgia along with the fibromyalgia. Had neck surgery in July of last year and back surgery in December, and I can honestly say the pain is unbearable most of the time. I take Effexor, gabapentin, Robaxin, and occasionally I will take Tylenol arthritis. That's it. He wants me to take prednisone, and I was a pharmacy technician for 13 years, so I know and have seen the side effects. So I am trying to figure out if it's really worth it. I hurt 24/7, all over."

• amb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 19, 2024

"I was put on a taper down prednisone pack for an upper respiratory infection. During the treatment, I noticed a marked improvement in my symptoms of fibromyalgia. I had no pain at all, even before I took my Cymbalta and Lyrica. Yes, I'm eating everything in sight but I've been able to be more active because I don't hurt. I plan on addressing this with my primary healthcare provider. I, too, work in healthcare. I am at a med cart for 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week. Sometimes I had to stop and rest because of the stabbing pain in my joints and terrible muscle spasms. Not now. I dread when my prednisone treatment is finished. I'm sure I will go back to being in pain."

• Kpc...
• December 4, 2016

"Steroids, whether injected or oral, caused my fibromyalgia to be more painful. I experienced horrible pain from my hips down to my legs for 2+ days after having prednisone, oral or IM/subarachnoid steroids."

• Chu...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 18, 2022

"I was taking Prednisone years ago for fibromyalgia. Started at 15 mg daily, quickly got down to 5 mg and ended up at 2 mg. Really helped the fibro pain. I was also taking Fosamax at 15 mg daily back then (2003 to about 2005). In the 2005 period, I fell off a 10-foot-high roof onto concrete. I fractured my wrist area and ankle. The radiologist wrote that my bones were 'like Styrofoam' and I should get a doctor's help and a Dexa scan now! Yeah, my bones were being eaten up. I HAD to stop the Prednisone immediately. I got Dexa scans semi-annually for a few years and I was OK, but bone density never returned to 'normal'."

• Mis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 14, 2017

"I just started taking this medicine last Tuesday. If I would have known the bad possible side effects of this, I would have never taken it. It was given to me for pain and stiffness I was getting in my joints, hips, back, etc. I’m 26. The doctor said maybe they were inflamed from possibly having fibromyalgia and basically told me to try this medicine out to see if it would help, and then we would go from there. Well, fast forward to a week later. I took two in the morning 3 days ago, and about 30 minutes after, I started having a crazy psychotic episode. Heart pounding, heat flashes, severe sweating, shaking, crawling out of my skin feeling, and was pacing on the floor hysterically crying. Ended up in the ER where they did absolutely nothing."