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Does anyone else experience depression or similar symptoms when adjusting their dosage of prednisone?  I take prednisone every-other day and am currently trying to reduce the dosage to try to get off it completely.  When I change the dosage it seems the side effects get exaggerated.  The adrenaline rush sensations, prickly tingles in my cheeks, sweating, etc.  Now sometimes it seems as though I am experiencing bouts of depression.  They have come as isolated incidents that last a day or less, and usually when it's been a while since my last dosage, like the night before I take it again.  Anyone else out there experience this?

 Reply posted for zimbop.

Zimbop:

What is the dosage you are taking?

I'm due to start prednizone soon, and every thing I hear really scares me about depression.  Does anyone have good results?

 Reply posted for beagle.

can someone explain to me what an scd diet is?  I'm currently trying to come off prednisone and the doctor will be prescribing 6mp to hopefully get me into remission.  I'd like to combine that with the diet, if possible.  please help. 

 Reply posted for rachj.

Hey Rachj:

Being on pred is difficult - in some cases, its almost worse than the disease youre trying to treat.  Seems to me you have two things you need to do.  First, medically, you need a plan to get off prednisone.  Have you tried any other maintenance drugs?  Like 6MP, Asacol/Mesalamine, or the biologics like Remicade?  What about diet?  Many people, including myself, have had some improvement on the SCD diet.  You might have to try different things or combinations - I used diet along with a Prednisone "bridge" to 6MP to gain remission. 

And as for your depression, youre right, you should open up to people close to you about it.  Fight the "steroid you" on this.  Thats not the real you.  There is a lot of research on the "Gut-Brain Connection", and the health of our guts affects the way we feel.  So those of us with Crohns and UC are at greater risk for depression to begin with, and the pred just makes it worse. 

I would encourage you to open up to your family about how you feel and what you are going through.  Trust me, they can help you get through this.  Its hard for them to approach you about all this - asking someone if theyre dealing with depression is tough.  Youve got to take the first step on this.

And know that things will get better for you.  Once you get off the pred and achieve your first remission, things get better, even if you have to continue to deal with the disease. 

Good luck...wish I could do more to help.     

   

 Reply posted for IBDmomof3.

hey, I'm 18 and seem to be going through everything you talked about...its horrible because normally, outside of steroid treatment I'm generally fine but now that I'm on steroids and I find myself crying all the time and either wishing i was or actually hurting myself. Its so scary cause I feel like two different ppl, and I have a therapist but I have such a hard time telling this to anyone. I can only say it here cause its anyomous, one of my best friends knows, but otherwise I can't bring myself to tell anyone. Well my doctors know I'm struggling too, but same as everyone else my GI docs are worried about my gut before my mental health.

I think what is the worst for me is that some of my family and friends notice I'm depressed but do not say anything, thats one of the reasons I can't bring myself to tell them.

Prednisone is horrible, I'm not even adjusting my dose right now its just holding steady, but obviously its not good like this. I've never gotten remission either......yea I need serious help/ advice on what to do here. I know the typical answer of TELL! and I'm working on it, but as I'm sure some of you know this isn't the normal me, but it is the steroid me, and the steroid me wants to hurt myself so that side of me doesn't want to tell.

 Reply posted for zimbop.

I was on prednisone only for a short while and I couldn't stand it. The first week I had insomnia, sleeping only 2 or 3 hrs a day.  I was delirious from exhaustion.  But the next week I did nothing but sleep.  I didn't want to leave my bed.  I have suffered from depression since my early teens.  The prednisone seemed to make it worse.  I had to apologize to my co-workers because I would suddenly start crying for no reason.  Do you take any anti-depressants? Doubling my dose of Zoloft seemed to help a bit.  But I'm glad to be off prednisone.

 Reply posted for zimbop.

I got terrible drepession from prednisone. One of the many terrible side effects I had with it. My pediatric GI wouldn't listen to me and kept me on it then kept putting me back on it I hated it and will never take it again. At 19 I have osteoporosis due to prednisone. I now have a new GI who doesn't use prednisone.

 Reply posted for zimbop.

I have been diagnosed with UC since Nov of 2007.  For the past 18 months, I have been on steroids more than off and have NEVER been in remission.

My doctors know how much I go back on the full steroid regime kicking and screaming, but this time, I was forced with my back to the wall.  Either I went on steroids, or lose my rectum and move on to a bag.

Every time I am on a full course of steroids, the moods come up from absolutely nowhere.  My children are terrified of me and my poor husband is just my punching bag.

This time though, and I am speaking of today especially, I have had feelings of wanting to do harm to myself (not to anyone else) and I have not had these feelings before.

I have anti-anxiety meds that take that edge off and I only use those when I lose control during the day and need to be able to think more clearly.  Today, however, the anti-anxiolitics aren't even close to helping.  I already take cymbalta and, because it is not an "instant" fix, increasing that right this minute, isn't going to help me.

I have always had the "blues" and bouts of sadness or irritability with the prednisone, but, I have to say that this time, I'm scared.

I don't know if anyone has these feelings too from time to time on this incidious drug, but the paranoia, anger, sadness, isolation seems to be over the top this time.

Any thoughts are appreciated - without stating the obvious, that I need help!

 Reply posted for zimbop.

Hi, just wanted to let you know I've experienced that and am currently going through a taper right now, and am experiencing it again. I know it isn't an uplifting message, but just wanted you to know you are not alone and if you ever want to chat just post on here again and I will give you my email. I just find sometimes it helps to talk to someone. Hang in there

 Reply posted for zimbop.

Been There!

Steriods are great for flares but bad on the pysch.  The two times I tapered from steriods I became depressed.  The first taper I was really quiet (which isn't like me) and felt just plain odd.  The second time I cried like a baby...Steriods can be tough. 

Hope this helps. Good Luck Tapering!

 Reply posted for zimbop.

I'm not a doctor. but I've had crohns disease since I was 15 which is 16 years ago for me. I have notice there is a natural juice in a head of lettuce that helps alot with some of the symptoms. but most of all try and stay way from what ever is stressing you out. when you eat the lettuce only eat the lettuce nothing else can go with it. it takes less then 24 hours to work. I don't like taking meds so I try everything not to, I hope this works for you as well.