Prednisone and Swelling: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2017

For Allergic Reactions "I just returned from A&E after beginning to experience anaphylaxis shock from an allergy to nuts. I had mistakenly eaten pecan nuts in a biscuit. I had twice in life had the shock and felt this coming on. Strangely, it didn't progress to a full reaction, but the symptoms I was getting were a strange taste, a bit of swelling in my mouth and hands and feet. Underneath my skin was feeling increasingly itchy, but it's blood running under the skin. The doctor at A&E gave me about 10 tablets of this prednisone. I had never been given or suggested it before, and he said this can take a few hours, but in 5 minutes, my symptoms had gone. It is an amazing drug, but he said most GPs wouldn't prescribe it to me. I now carry 2 for an emergency. It is an amazing drug, my body had a quick reaction to it. Recommended."

• Sun...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 8, 2017

For Allergic Reactions "I just returned from A&E after beginning to experience anaphylaxis shock from an allergy to nuts. I had mistakenly eaten pecan nuts in a biscuit. I had twice in life had the shock and felt this coming on. Strangely, it didn't progress to a full reaction, but the symptoms I was getting were a strange taste, a bit of swelling in my mouth and hands and feet. Underneath my skin was feeling increasingly itchy, but it's blood running under the skin. The doctor at A&E gave me about 10 tablets of this prednisone. I had never been given or suggested it before, and he said this can take a few hours, but in 5 minutes, my symptoms had gone. It is an amazing drug, but he said most GPs wouldn't prescribe it to me. I now carry 2 for an emergency. It is an amazing drug, my body had a quick reaction to it. Recommended."

• Inc...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 16, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed prednisone for a neck injury. In the midst of stepping down the dosage as my doctor instructed, I started experiencing severe stomach pain, extreme nausea, tar-black stool, bloated stomach, and my face appears to be a little swollen (especially around the jawline and neck). I feel like the Incredible Hulk. My doctor advised me to stop taking the prednisone 3 days before I would have finished the prescription. Now, I am noticing increased frequency in the need to urinate and some pain in my left flank area."

• No...
• December 18, 2016

For Asthma "First, it helped me breathe. I was wheezing and coughing terribly. The side effects suck. I get aggressive and irritable. Insomnia is terrible. I can feel swelling in my hands. I can feel my heartbeat in my hands when I have fingers interlocked. I try to avoid all medications, but this did help."

• Pol...
• January 15, 2017

For Inflammatory Conditions "Started with 48 mg a day. The fever started dropping down, but still had chills. After a week, the pain was gone, but I started being deaf in one ear, depressed, had tremors inside of me, sleepless nights, and a salty metallic taste in my mouth. So I had to reduce the dose to 10-15 mg a day for 2.5 months. The pain is back, the neck is stiff. It seems like someone is twisting my arms and shoulders. I have my legs swollen from night to morning, terrible stomach pain. I need to get off it. The only drug that might help is Actemra. Now waiting for insurance approval. If I don't get it, I will go on cannabis. Hopefully, the law will get through by the end of Jan 2017 in NY. Suffer from terrible pain in my neck and both shoulders."

• Mic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2018

For Inflammatory Conditions "After many tests, not knowing what is causing some loss of vision, I was taking 80 mg for 6 days and now 60 mg. There has been no change in vision. However, now I have severe pain in my left armpit, as well as swelling on the side of my left breast. I can only hope this is a side effect of the drug and not cancer. I also experienced palpitations all day yesterday. I see my doctor this a.m. and hope he has an answer. Be real sure before you start this drug, I think it is doing more harm than good."

• Anonymous
• February 14, 2010

For Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia "I have been taking prednisone for about 6 weeks - 40 mg per day. I think the side effects are directly related to the dosage. I read so much about this drug and the awful side effects before taking it and was scared to death to start. It actually hasn't been as bad as what I read. The biggest issue is sleepiness at night - definitely have trouble sleeping but have tons of energy. A little face swelling too, but not the 'moon face' I read about. And it's working for my autoimmune disorder."

• Dim...
• January 15, 2017

For Pemphigus "I was diagnosed with pemphigus vulgaris in 2009 after being misdiagnosed by a dentist who thought I had an abscess. After seeing four dentists regarding lesions in my gums and mouth, the last dentist said I needed a biopsy done. He saved my life because I was able to get the treatment that I needed with the proper diagnosis. Started me at 60 mg daily, then tapered down to 10 mg after five years. The autoimmune disease went into remission in 2014 after utilizing prayer and positive meditation to help reduce any stress. The prednisone was very effective in treating the inflammation in my mouth. I drank aloe vera juice to reduce the inflammation in my stomach area to help reduce stomach moon belly. I rarely have flare-ups, only when a stress event."

• Ann...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 18, 2020

For Fibromyalgia "I have Sjögren's syndrome, fibromyalgia, and Raynaud's. I have taken prednisone oral solution (Roxane Westward) for over 22 years. It worked very well. Unfortunately, when I picked up my new prescription, I experienced a red rash on my chin and facial swelling. My prednisone dose has not changed (5 mg/ml alternating with 2.5 mg/5 ml). My rheumatologist thinks that I am reacting to a new binder in the medication or that they have increased the amount of propylene glycol in the medication. (??) Just curious - has anyone else had an allergic reaction to the new prednisone oral solution made by Hikma? Thank you."

• ina...
• September 28, 2018

For Immunosuppression "60 mg for 10 days for Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSNHL). Fully effective. Within 8 hours of first dose, hearing distortion/loss and 'something in my ear' feeling gone. Side effects: - First day only, elevated heart rate (103 bpm vs. 60 bpm) and eyes felt scratchy. - Insomnia: 2 - 6 hours of sleep per night. Melatonin helped. - Brain fog: walked around in a daze most of the time. - Face numbness. - Eye issues: eyes swollen and tight. Vision like looking through pinholes. - Abdominal swelling: bloated feeling (no gas). - Lower leg swelling/tightness: had to keep socks off because they hurt my feet. Positive note, skin issues cleared up. If you have sudden hearing loss, noise, and a feeling that something's in your ear, go to the emergency room. If you have SSNHL, you only have a few days to start treatment. Otherwise, the hearing issues could be permanent."

• Evi...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 23, 2021

For Systemic Sclerosis "High dose initially got excessive swelling in my hands and an itchy rash on my legs under control, then reduced down to a 5mg maintenance dose. The medication also helped with chronic pain from an old back injury to a point it hardly bothered me anymore! The steroid made my joints ache, though, especially those in my hands, and my carpal tunnel was much worse. When there was a delay in my prescription, I reduced my dose (took half doses to make the tablets last longer): the rash stayed away, and joint pain reduced. Next prescription delay, I had no tablets left, so I had to go cold turkey: I was fatigued, but it was OK. I wasn't given Vit D or calcium, though, and was told I should have been as prednisone has depleted my Vit D levels, leading to other problems now."

• mjm...
• May 24, 2015

For Ulcerative Colitis "I was hospitalized three times last year for ulcerative colitis and severe anemia. I had tried Asacol, sulfasalazine, and nothing worked. I was afraid to try the prednisone, and when I finally did, it helped immediately. I could kick myself for waiting so long and almost dying from blood loss before I got it. The side effects that I had were insomnia, feeling wired and roid ragey, and after 7 months on it, I gained around 50 lbs. It gives you the mad munchies. It's not a long-term fix because of the long-term health risks: diabetes, vision loss, hump neck, weight gain, and it also suppresses your immune system. Remicade worked for me while I was on prednisone, but once I tapered off, I had the most terrible joint pain, arthralgia, and edema."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 3, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "Throbbing pain in hip and lower back began a week ago. Nothing worked, and at night it was unbearable and getting worse. Day 7 and 15 minutes of sleep, and I woke in agony and immediately went to urgent care, where the doctor said it wasn’t arthritis, but some kind of nerve pain. Gave me a week's worth of prednisone 20 mg. Within 2 hours, I could feel the inflammation and pain dissipate, and by hour 6, I was slumped over in sleepiness as the adrenaline rush from the pain stopped. I slept 10 hours in no pain. My entire back feels better. I have scoliosis and spina bifida occulta, and my back has been hurting since I was 10. Last night I could even turn my neck. This is not a good drug to use all the time, but I believe when it works, doctors have a better understanding of what is going on. So many localized aches are really due to systemic inflammation."

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 23, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "Worked great the first time, but remission only lasted 3 months. 2nd time worked quickly again, but couldn't taper off as fast. On it for 3 months. Side effects: lost about half my hair (grew back), high blood pressure (180/100), puffy face, irritable, gained 20 lbs, swollen lower legs and feet. Hope I never have to take it again. For now, mesalamine enemas are working (6 months)."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "For only 10 days, I was prescribed prednisone. Prednisone definitely helped my illness and made me feel better, but after a couple of days, I noticed small red bumps, headaches, and frequent urination. Those bumps turned to bruises, eventually spreading, becoming bigger bruises, to lumps, to swollen areas and points in my legs I could feel when I walk. After the 10th day, I had such bad pain in my legs I could barely sit or stand. By the time I got home from work, my ankles and legs were so bad I couldn’t walk. I’m in bed right now hoping the swelling will go down."

• Fee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 14, 2019

For Allergic Reactions "Well, I used hair dye in my hair Tuesday, 11 June 2019. Everything was fine. Woke up Wednesday, had a bit of swelling on my head. Thought nothing of it. Later that day, my head started itching, so I put paw paw ointment on. Thursday was the same. Woke up this morning, 14 June 2019, and one side of my face had swelled up so bad, more in my eye area. My eye is so puffy, don't feel pain or anything. Went to the doctor and got prescribed prednisone, 25 mg, take one twice daily. Swelling is worse at the moment, but I am hoping it goes away ASAP."

• Isl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 3, 2021

For Allergic Reactions "I was prescribed prednisone drops 4 times daily for 2 weeks, then 2 times daily for 2 weeks for cataract surgery. As soon as I stopped entirely, I started getting a rash on my shin, feet, hips, abdomen, lower back, arms/shoulders, and scalp. It's spreading and becoming more severe daily. Since there have been no other changes in habit, diet, or environment, I am attributing the rash to possible prednisone rebound. I had a similar rash 2 years ago after a course of penicillin. (Side note: while on the drops, the puffiness and drooping nature of my eyelid disappeared so that my two eyes looked very different. Too bad the drug has so many side effects-it could be used instead of eyelid surgery.)"

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "Been on Prednisone along with an antibiotic for a bronchial infection. Day 4 of Pred, I suddenly developed hives and itching skin everywhere. I am not sure if it was the antibiotic, but it's probably more likely that I was allergic to the antibiotic. My face and lip got swollen with hives. It came on pretty quickly. Ran out, got Benadryl, and the reaction is subsiding slowly. After sleepless nights with this drug, I’ll welcome the sleepy relief of Benadryl! I felt like it loosened up the mucus in my infection the first day and allowed me to cough off more, but this is the end of the road for this drug for me forever. Grateful it didn’t get any worse before I got Benadryl."

• Lee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 10, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "Been on Prednisone along with an antibiotic for a bronchial infection. Day 4 of Pred, I suddenly developed hives and itching skin everywhere. I am not sure if it was the antibiotic, but it's probably more likely that I was allergic to the antibiotic. My face and lip got swollen with hives. It came on pretty quickly. Ran out, got Benadryl, and the reaction is subsiding slowly. After sleepless nights with this drug, I’ll welcome the sleepy relief of Benadryl! I felt like it loosened up the mucus in my infection the first day and allowed me to cough off more, but this is the end of the road for this drug for me forever. Grateful it didn’t get any worse before I got Benadryl."

• KVJ...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2017

For Asthma "Usually, I try to take a drug without reading up on side effects, but this medication had me consistently checking for reactions online. It did help my asthma, but the allergic reactions and side effects kept me out of work the whole time I was on it. My vision became blurry, the nausea was daily, and swelling of my tongue didn't become manageable until I was down to 10 mg. Let me clarify, I was on this medication for almost two months, starting at 60 mg. My sugar went on a roller coaster ride..... they started giving me meds to deal with the side effects, which helped. I will never take this medication in the future. Listen to your body and speak up for yourself. I believe my problem is that I'm allergic to something in it."

• hel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 3, 2021

For Allergic Reactions "I was only prescribed this for four days, and it worked great to clear up my allergic reaction (had a bad rash and swelling from sulfa drugs), but nobody warned me the side effects would be that terrible. The thigh and leg pain was so bad, and I would get full body chills often. I started to get random light back pain too, and I realized it was because the prednisone had lowered my potassium drastically. Eating yogurt and bananas helped during the day, but I would wake up in the morning with full body pains. My anxiety was also noticeably bad. I do have diagnosed GAD, but my anxiety was twice as bad on this drug, my mind would not stop racing all day. I have no clue if it's just because I'm a small 100-pound woman (I often assume my weight factors in), but apparently these side effects are rare. Otherwise, it worked great and probably will for a majority of people."

• Mar...
• September 27, 2017

For Gouty Arthritis "I was prescribed this drug for an attack of polymyalgia almost two years ago. Twice I have been on a reducing program, the ESA levels being at 41 going down to 8. The dosage, 35 grams down to a maintenance size of 5 mg per day. This week, still on 5 mg per day, I had my first attack of gout, the ESA level has gone back to 35. And my foot is swollen, red, and painful. I am still taking the 5 mg as directed. What is the dosage recommended for the treatment of gout? I don't understand this. And I cannot see the hospital rheumatologist for a week or two."

• Anonymous
• August 1, 2021

For Allergic Reactions "Disturbed a yellow jacket nest. Multiple (10 or more) stings, extreme burning sensation, and redness. 60 mg first dose, 4 more 50 mg doses, 12 hrs apart. Instant relief of swelling, itching, redness, and pain."

• Raq...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I got vaccinated back in March 2021, but I got COVID-19 in August. I recovered after 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after my initial COVID-19 positive test, it became hard to breathe, and my blood pressure was so high! I never had any health issues before, but this was so scary I went to the ER twice. Both times they told me everything looked normal and my oxygen was at 99-100%. They did X-rays on my lungs, and there was a bit of inflammation, so they gave me 50 mg of prednisone for 5 days. I immediately started retaining water, I was dizzy, jittery, and lightheaded. I became very thirsty and was peeing so much. I am now 3 days off of prednisone, and although getting better from the side effects, I still feel dizzy, thirsty, and hot. I truly will never take something like this again. My doctor said I would have mood swings and be hungry, but nothing else. I had to research all I was feeling to make sense of what was happening to me and why my face was so swollen suddenly."

• ecz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 15, 2021

For Eczema "I suffered from eczema as a child, but it went away by my teens. After having a baby at 22, it came back, but I only had it on one finger. The dermatologist prescribed hydrocortisone and gave me the same old recommendations: no detergent, cotton clothes, no perfumes, etc. With time, it started spreading, but not much. Every time I had a stubborn rash, the dermatologist would prescribe hydrocortisone. After some years, it stopped working, and the doctor prescribed clobetasol and a 20-day course of prednisone. It worked, but every time my eczema came back, it would cover more areas of my skin. I started waking up with swollen, red, puffy eyes, and tears would burn like acid. The last time I was given prednisone, all hell broke loose when I stopped. I've been dealing with redness, flaking skin, and rashes on my face, hands, upper back, and inner elbows. I can't sleep, can't shower, and the itch is bone-deep. I'm aware these are symptoms of topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), but I think it's because I took prednisone."