Prednisone and Insomnia: What Users Say

• Anonymous
• September 16, 2012

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "My body was so racked with pain. I could hardly move in the morning. Brushing my teeth and combing my hair were major and painful chores. After 4 days on prednisone, I am almost pain-free. I do experience side effects of insomnia and diarrhea but it is worth it to be mobile again!"

• Spr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 4, 2013

For Gouty Arthritis "Prednisone has been a miracle for me. I have stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease, and my uric acid levels are really high. I suffer from chronic, crippling gout in my feet, ankles, and knees. It never goes away. I've started Uloric but the gout hasn't subsided. It was to the point that my job was in jeopardy. The only thing I could take for the pain was Tylenol. My Nephrologist prescribed Prednisone, and after 1 day all gout pain had subsided. Blessed relief! After a week, the edema in my feet had disappeared. My side effects include acne, increased appetite, constipation, and some insomnia, but I'll take all of it if it means no more gout pain."

• RAm...
• November 6, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This medication is slowly but surely bringing me back to life. I've been going through a flare for about 5 months, with no resolve. Even tried depo medrol - intramuscular shot. Which did nothing. I see reviews of people advising caution and saying you should NEVER take this drug. But what do you do if you're a 29-year-old mom of 3 young children? Who works full time? Who can barely get out of bed? I will happily take moon face, happily meal plan to control weight gain, happily lose a little sleep. I will happily deal with these things in order to STAND without falling over, rock my baby to sleep without agonizing shoulder pain, make my children dinner and work! For me, the benefits outweigh the risks! Do what is right for you!"

• Wen...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

For Sinusitis "I have had too many sinus ops. Consequently, my sinuses are apparently wrecked. I live with chronic sinus issues. But now and then, that chronic sinusitis results in extreme discomfort, brain fog, etc. So a couple of times each year, I have to go on the Prednisolone. 2x 25 mg daily, then tapering. I’m fully aware that this type of drug is not good for one’s system. Apart from that, the side effect I really notice is that it wrecks my sleep. Apparently, no matter what time of day one takes this drug, it stays in the system. But it works for me. The yellow gunk starts to clear out of my sinuses within a day, and I then start to feel normal and comfortable again. Best thing ever for me."

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 28, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I developed RA after my appendix burst 7 years ago. Out of the 4 Rheumatologists I have had, none have seen a case as aggressive as mine. Within 2 years I was completely bedridden and under the care of others. While the side effects are horrible (no sleep, infections, hair falling out, weight gain and moon face), I continue to ask for it in high doses. I don't expect to live much longer, but I would rather live where my pain is manageable with pain meds than in the fetal position curled up in my bed crying 24/7. This disease is the worst."

• rhe...
• January 8, 2012

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis eight years ago and have been on many concoctions of pills since. When I got really bad flares that rendered me disabled, I was treated with prednisone. For me, this has been a miracle. I have had it injected into affected joints and also general injections. When injected into joints, the relief is almost instant, I could walk, move my hands like a miracle. When injected generally, it took three or four separate injections over 3-4 days before any improvement, but it worked every time. I have to say, I don't know what I would have done over the years without prednisone. The side effects I suffered were weight gain and insomnia, but these were better than being in agony and disabled."

• TdE...
• May 20, 2017

For Sinusitis "Suffered from chronic sinusitis for over a year. Couldn't breathe through my nose and daily headaches, brain fog, and congestion plagued my life. Numerous antibiotics didn't work. Got given 5 days of this tablet (30mg) and within hours it works. The swelling reduced, I could breathe, and my sinuses cleared in 3 days! The downside is it sent my anxiety through the roof, and I didn't sleep for a week, but after a year of chronic sinus problems, it was nothing!! Try it :)"

• Bre...
• November 17, 2015

For Asthma "I was put on Prednisone (20 mg) twice a day for 7 days after an asthma attack. It made a world of difference for me. I noticed a difference in a matter of a few hours. The only side effects I had were euphoria, insomnia, and severe body aches after the course ended. I'd rather deal with the side effects than not be able to breathe."

• Dun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Prednisone has been a savior at being a quick fix in getting rid of my crippling RA symptoms. Started on 10mg a day with no side effects. Now into my 7th week on it and tapered down to 7.5mg. I'm getting terrible side effects. Agitation, anxiety, mood swings, awful insomnia which worsens the mood swings, and the lack of sleep then causes its own lot of side effects. I'm not sure what's worse right at this moment - pain in all my limb joints or these aggravating side effects?! I am writing this at a peak of a pouty mood swing though. I don't do well without sleep and 3 nights in a row with just a few hours between them is it. On a positive note, I am almost fully mobile when on the drug. So I highly recommend it for short-term use."

• Dun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 17, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Prednisone has been a savior at being a quick fix in getting rid of my crippling RA symptoms. Started on 10mg a day with no side effects. Now into my 7th week on it and tapered down to 7.5mg. I'm getting terrible side effects. Agitation, anxiety, mood swings, awful insomnia which worsens the mood swings, and the lack of sleep then causes its own lot of side effects. I'm not sure what's worse right at this moment - pain in all my limb joints or these aggravating side effects?! I am writing this at a peak of a pouty mood swing though. I don't do well without sleep and 3 nights in a row with just a few hours between them is it. On a positive note, I am almost fully mobile when on the drug. So I highly recommend it for short-term use."

• Jaj...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 12, 2020

For Eczema "Have never had skin issues. A month before my 37th birthday, my entire body broke out in a horrible rash. Was told I had severe eczema and was put on prednisone for 5 days, 40 mg a day. My skin cleared up, and as soon as I was done with the prednisone, the rash came back 10 times worse. I have never been so miserable. Itchy, dry, burning. Went back to see the doctor. This time he put me on 60 mg of prednisone for 4 days, then 50, 40, tapering off over 24 days. Skin cleared up again. 25th day, 1 day being off the prednisone, and the rash is already coming back. I do not want to be on oral steroids. I can't sleep, I am aggressive. Topical creams had done nothing prior. Even cortisone cream didn't help with the itch at all. I know they will give me prednisone again. I mean, this rash covers my body, face, arms, legs, torso. Please tell me there is something better than being on prednisone."

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "I have had fibro for 19 years, now on Butran opioid patch 15 mcg, Norco 7.5 three times a day, Nabutome 500 mg three times a day, plus Effexor and Lexapro. Pain gradually worsened to pain constant and fatigue. Started falling and now being tested for MS or myasthenia gravis due to neck lesion and inflammation. This is my review of the 3-day high dose IVMP (IV methylprednisolone) 1000 mg DAILY, I haven't felt this good in 10 years with my fibromyalgia. Pain is so improved, you forget how bad you really do feel until the pain clears. I don't know what the future holds, but steroids have to sit in there somewhere. Slight headache and a bit of insomnia so far."

• Dea...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 16, 2023

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Have RA since 2016. Have been on every biologic under the sun. Currently on methotrexate and new biologic Lorenzia for 6 months. The only thing that has worked like magic is prednisone. Currently taking 40 mg a day. Titrating down to 20 mg by reducing my 5 mg per week, then the flares come back with a vengeance. Multiple joints affected with severe swelling and stabbing pain. No real side effects for me other than increased blood sugar, which I manage with insulin and a slight touch of insomnia. Quality of life is paramount, not longevity of life. No real point in living an extra ten years if pain is completely debilitating. I choose less pain and shorter life. We all have to die eventually, no? I'm 58, by the way. Lived a good full life. I'm ready for the next adventure. Sick of being in pain all the time. Nuff said."

• Ric...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2017

For Allergic Reactions "I had a severe allergic reaction to poison ivy. Both arms, from my wrist to my elbow, were covered in hives. I had to run to the sink every 10 minutes because it felt like my arms were on fire and the worst itch imaginable. I was averaging 1 to 2 hours of sleep a night for weeks. Prednisone saved me, literally. I was going crazy from the intense burning feeling, severe itching, and no sleep. I am on my 4th round of prednisone, since most doctors prescribe way too low a dose for this severe of a reaction. Finally found the right doctor who gave me the correct dosage. I can finally get some sleep, and my arms are not on fire. If it was not for this medication, I think I would be in the loony bin somewhere scratching the skin off my arms."

• Anonymous
• March 15, 2012

Prednisone for Eczema "I'm rating this a 'one' reluctantly because it truly worked miracles. I've wrestled with eczema for years and it has become quite painful. An ER doctor prescribed this when I was there for an unrelated issue. Within days, my open skin and rough patches were completely gone. But the side effects... I put on 15 pounds in under two weeks, with a painfully swollen gut, stomach pains, and insomnia. Upon visiting my regular physician, he refused to renew the prescription, explaining that these side effects, and potentially much worse, were due to the Prednisone."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2014

For Gouty Arthritis "I've been getting chronic gout for about 9 years. I was given prednisone for the first time last week (50 mg once a day). It seems to work fast, but I found that the pain starts coming back between doses. I still find it to be working better than the usual indomethacin and colchicine. The only side effect I've noticed is trouble sleeping."

• aha...
• April 19, 2009

Prednisone for Bursitis "I have only been on this medication for 3 days for bursitis in my hip. I have noticed a little relief from the worst pain, but I still am feeling stiff and hurt quite a bit. **NOTE: I have had insomnia since the day I started taking this medication. I slept only 30 minutes last night. Each night I have slept less. I was able to sleep 3 hours the 2nd night. I believe it is from this medication as the other medication I am on does not report insomnia as a side effect. At this point, I only have to take the medication for one week, and if it helps with my pain, I feel it will be worth it, but be aware that this might happen."

• Wen...
• June 19, 2016

For Sinusitis "I have very frequent bouts of sinusitis with general associated dizziness. Over the last 2 years, I've had way too many scripts for antibiotics (which eventually didn't work anymore), so the doc has occasionally suggested prednisolone. Did this in December, and after a few days, all good! Right now, in June, I'm in trouble again, so again on the Pred and tapering down over a week, but I avoid it at night 'cause it keeps me awake. I'm feeling almost alive again today. Hopefully, I'll be out of the woods again soon!"

• Gre...
• July 25, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "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."

• Thr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 17, 2015

For Pharyngitis "I came down with a fever and severe sore throat over the weekend. Felt like I was swallowing glass. Finally went to the doctor on Sunday and was diagnosed with strep throat. They gave me antibiotics and prednisone. Took my first dose at 7 pm Sunday and woke up Monday feeling about 80% better. By Monday evening, throat has almost zero pain. Amazing. However, it is midnight and I can't fall asleep and just want to get up and clean out a closet, so that might be a negative. I will take it over the glass throat though. :)"

• EWA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2013

For Eczema "Currently started a prednisone treatment, and since I've used it before, I'm more aware of the side effects. My suggestion is to take this in the morning. The last time I used this, I lost a lot of sleep. Drove me to insomnia because of nervousness. Overall, the medicine was very effective."

• EWA...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 18, 2013

For Eczema "Currently started a prednisone treatment, and since I've used it before, I'm more aware of the side effects. My suggestion is to take this in the morning. The last time I used this, I lost a lot of sleep. Drove me to insomnia because of nervousness. Overall, the medicine was very effective."

• Tri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 17, 2015

For Gouty Arthritis "I've found prednisone to be an effective treatment for my gout during acute attacks, where I take a 50 mg daily dose. However, the downside is that it makes me sleepless and irritable. Colchicine seems to have little effect, and I have thus far been unsuccessful in getting into a routine of taking allopurinol - it, in fact, seems to bring on symptoms, if anything, even with a low dose."

• hor...
• May 29, 2009

For Sarcoidosis "This is the only drug doctors recommend for sarcoidosis. The side effects of other heavy-duty immune suppressant drugs are considered worse than the sarcoidosis symptoms. It's a dual-edged sword. It does reduce inflammation and makes breathing easier, but it also has permanent effects. For me, it permanently reduced thyroid function, increased puffiness in the face, overall weight gain, insomnia, and overall muscle stiffness to the point of spasms."

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

For Fibromyalgia "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."