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Prednisone causing anxiety?
I took a 6 day cycle of 20mg of prednisone for 7 days because my Dr. thought I had bronchitis. While I was on the medicine, I would have anxiety. And now that I am off of the medicine, it has gotten worse. I've never had anxiety and I am a very healthy 24 year old male. Will it take a while to get out of my system because I've never taken it before?
I've been taking it too and last night I maybe slept 30mins since 12am. I kept feeling anxious and had anxiety attack after anxiety attack. At first it didn't do tho to me then suddenly my arms felt sun burnt and weak. My whole body felt weak. Then every time I tried to go to sleep I would freak out. I was shaky and cold. I hope tho I not in my head because it only happens when I try to sleep. During the day in depressed and nervous. Please tell me tho is normal. I stopped taking it today.
4 Comments
Did it get better soon? Im having the same issues and I stopped my prednisone a week ago
Its been 7 weeks since I stopped taking this terrible medicine. I was given it for joint pain for possible fibromyalgia and it has been hell ever since. I was started at 50mgs a day and was suppose to taper off for two weeks I only got to the first week and started crawling out of my skin. Called my doctors office in tears they told me to just stop taking it. I paced the floor for hours and hours crying until I finally went to the ER where they sent me home and said they couldnt do anything that it just has to work its way out of my system. Well the crawling out of the skin took a few long days to go away, but fast forward 7 weeks and Im still having really bad anxiety and on edge. I wish I was never given this medicine it has turned my life upside down and I feel like its never going to get better it has only seemed to get worse. I have been to the ER 3 times since the reaction to it and to the doctors many times. I called my doctors office again yesterday in tears and could barley talk. My doctor prescribed me cymbalta which I took for the first time yesterday and it completely knocked me out and made me feel like a zombie. Woke up this morning covered in sweat with pounding heart rate. Im at the point where I dont know what to do. I was not like this before this medicine and my doctor tries to say it still cant be from it and told me to seek therapy. Also told me if it gets worse again to go back to the ER. Its like they dont know what to do with me. I cant stand this feeling and feeling awful all of the time. Also I have gained weight and have terrible acne from it. My sleeping at night is also terrible. When I had the reaction I got no sleep for like 3 days. Then I was getting like 2 or 3 hours of sleep at night. I would wake up like 6 or more times covered in sweat. Now I get around 6 hours of sleep. :( A lot that I have read people got better fairly quickly and i feel like Im stuck like this and the doctor that gave me the medicine wasnt even my doctor. Even my husband is sick of dealing with it because Im never ok feeling. I just don't know what to do and the doctors want to give giving me meds to try and help it. I hate meds to begin with. At first I was given very low dose xanax but it didn't help so now they said try cymbalta. :(
Also I am 27 and was healthy before this.
Hi,
How is your anxiety one year later? Are you feeling completely better today, 2018, post prednisone?
Would love to get feedback. Did the anxiety go away in month 3, 4 ,5 , or after 6months?
How is your anxiety one year later? Are you feeling completely better today, 2018, post prednisone?
Would love to get feedback. Did the anxiety go away in month 3, 4 ,5 , or after 6months?
I took prednisone because a pericarditis. The cycle was 40mg for 10 days, then 30mg for 10 days, then 20mg for 10 days and finally 10mg for 10 days. When taking 40 and 30 mg I could not even move! I needed to stay in bed because I was weak as hell, like if I was really sick. I though I was dying there.
When taking 20 and 10 mg I started to feel really better. I was much stronger and could leave home, although I still felt weak.
But then this terrible anxiety suddenly appeared! I feel very nervous, sometimes it affects my breathing, needle-like pain in my chest, brain fog, and I try to swallow all the time. My doctor says it is anxiety, and the cause may be prednisone.
Today, 15 days after completely quitting prednidone, I still feel the same way. Can prednisone really cause such a mess in you body? Anyone knows how long could this last after 40 days taking it?
When taking 20 and 10 mg I started to feel really better. I was much stronger and could leave home, although I still felt weak.
But then this terrible anxiety suddenly appeared! I feel very nervous, sometimes it affects my breathing, needle-like pain in my chest, brain fog, and I try to swallow all the time. My doctor says it is anxiety, and the cause may be prednisone.
Today, 15 days after completely quitting prednidone, I still feel the same way. Can prednisone really cause such a mess in you body? Anyone knows how long could this last after 40 days taking it?
4 Comments
Firstly being more aware of your breathing is a symtom of anxiety and not to worry. Your symtoms will not last. Predisone gives your adrenal a boost,which helps you get better. However this causes your own adrenal production to reduce. And it takes a little time to get back to normal. This can cause anxiety as your adrenal controls your responses to stress. Therefor you might find you get a fright a little eadier. You are on the home stretch now and soon you will feel more relaxed. It is also important to now that nothing can happen from anxiety.Even though its not pleasant. Tje best thing i find is to accept you feel anxious and carty on with your day nowing that it is a wind up merchant and nothing else. Hope this is some help. Iv been through it myself and am out the other side.
How long did your anxiety last after stopping the steroids. I was on Prednisone for about 25 days, 60mg's down to 10mg's.I didn't feel anxious until after stopping them about 4 days ago
How long did your anxiety last after stopping the steroids. I was on Prednisone for about 25 days, 60mg's down to 10mg's.I didn't feel anxious until after stopping them about 4 days ago
I have health issuses and I have anxiety as a rule but I handle it..But anytime I am put on steroids like for my chest bronchitis or bad cold I have problems that are terrible my anxiety gets out of control and panic attacks ..I am learning if it something I have to have from time to time well then I take it but the side effects are horrible for me ...Anxiety and panic attacks and my Blood pressure gets high for no reason ...but after you go through this in your life on and off with the prednisone you have to learn to try to deal with it and just pray and wait for the effects go away ...Stay away if possible from things that can make it worse whenever possible ..cause it can be really bad so ...Just pray that God takes these side effects away .
I hope you find the ans.of how long it last.I'm going crazy.I have a Dr apt at 9:15 in the am.I will post whatever she tells me.GOD BLESS YOU.
I hope you find the ans.of how long it last.I'm going crazy.I have a Dr apt at 9:15 in the am.I will post whatever she tells me.GOD BLESS YOU.
I am so glad I read your imformation.I'm beginning to think I'm having a breakdown.I had two steroid injections in my knee last wed.,and haven't been the same since.I woke up 3 nights with needlelike pains under my brest,back,and stomach.Sat.so depressed I couldn't even go out of the house.Sun. sort of ok,but very nervous,and shaky,Mon.still down,and crying over nothing.tues,felt like a roller coaster,up,down heart racing,shaking,weak.tues pm heart still pounding,couldn'sleep.Today,heart still pounding hard,so I have called my Dr.Cried the whole time I talked to them.Trying to get apt.today.This is an awful feeling,don't know whats wrong.
1 Comments
Hi!
Ok, I've been diagnosed with anxiety since I was 5 (I'm 27 now) but I never experienced panic attacks to this degree until I was put on prednisone. It's been hell since October. I ended up in a psych hospital (my decision) because Zoloft wasn't helping enough. Cross tapered to celexa. Hoping once it's fully kicked in I will feel like my normal self again.
Ok, I've been diagnosed with anxiety since I was 5 (I'm 27 now) but I never experienced panic attacks to this degree until I was put on prednisone. It's been hell since October. I ended up in a psych hospital (my decision) because Zoloft wasn't helping enough. Cross tapered to celexa. Hoping once it's fully kicked in I will feel like my normal self again.
I am so glad I read your imformation.I'm beginning to think I'm having a breakdown.I had two steroid injections in my knee last wed.,and haven't been the same since.I woke up 3 nights with needlelike pains under my brest,back,and stomach.Sat.so depressed I couldn't even go out of the house.Sun. sort of ok,but very nervous,and shaky,Mon.still down,and crying over nothing.tues,felt like a roller coaster,up,down heart racing,shaking,weak.tues pm heart still pounding,couldn'sleep.Today,heart still pounding hard,so I have called my Dr.Cried the whole time I talked to them.Trying to get apt.today.This is an awful feeling,don't know whats wrong.
Hi, I am going through the same thing. How long until your anxiety subsided? I can't sleep at night and was prescribed Xanax so it is either 1. don't sleep or 2. take xanax which I have to take. I feel like I am on speed when I try to sleep. Hope you are back to normal.
My story.
I had a steroid injected at the ER for a reaction to Cipro (arm pain, confusion) and within a couple of days, panic attack, anxiety, when I try to sleep my brain feels like a warm rush of adrenaline is waking me up. I stay up all night. Depression lasted a couple of days and was so scary. My doctor told me that this all sounds like reaction to the steroid an immediately put it in my chart not to ever take again. She prescribed Xanax to me (only .5 which I take one at night) which helps me get about 3 to 4 hours of sleep. I tried not to take the Xanax because I hate meds and scared of addiction but the flip side is no sleep at all. I had to make a choice. I would love to hear of any other solutions to helping with the anxiety side affect and sleep. Anything help anyone? Before all of this I would fall asleep as soon as I hit my bed and sleep 8-9 hours a night and all of this misery because I only had one steriod dose in the ER (which my doc says they didn't need to give me) and want to know when does this anxiety, insomnia go away. My brain falls asleep but wakes up immediately and want to quit the Xanax. I hate this! So sorry for anyone that has to go through this. Erin
My story.
I had a steroid injected at the ER for a reaction to Cipro (arm pain, confusion) and within a couple of days, panic attack, anxiety, when I try to sleep my brain feels like a warm rush of adrenaline is waking me up. I stay up all night. Depression lasted a couple of days and was so scary. My doctor told me that this all sounds like reaction to the steroid an immediately put it in my chart not to ever take again. She prescribed Xanax to me (only .5 which I take one at night) which helps me get about 3 to 4 hours of sleep. I tried not to take the Xanax because I hate meds and scared of addiction but the flip side is no sleep at all. I had to make a choice. I would love to hear of any other solutions to helping with the anxiety side affect and sleep. Anything help anyone? Before all of this I would fall asleep as soon as I hit my bed and sleep 8-9 hours a night and all of this misery because I only had one steriod dose in the ER (which my doc says they didn't need to give me) and want to know when does this anxiety, insomnia go away. My brain falls asleep but wakes up immediately and want to quit the Xanax. I hate this! So sorry for anyone that has to go through this. Erin
I am also having anxiety due to prednisone. At least I think that's what it's from. I was on a tapering dose of prednisone for 6 days for an inner ear infection, which started with a case of vertigo on July 20. I've been miserable ever since I finished the pred on July 26. I started having panic/anxiety attacks for nearly a week now, which I have never ever experienced in my life. I have had 4 in just a couple days. My Dr put me on a low dose of alprazolam (Xanax) which is helping, however I don't want to have to take drugs to feel normal! I get really hazy/foggy until I take the meds. How long is it going to be until I feel normal again? This is really frustrating. Does anyone have recommendations for me to get back to normal life again?
Sabrina
Sabrina
2 Comments
Can you please update your progress in this situation - I am going through this right no - Please tell me you feel normal again and how long it took to get back to normal.
Hi jjleming,
Since this was a post made in 2015, you may not receive an answer. It would be good to start your own thread for your question.
We wish you the best!
Since this was a post made in 2015, you may not receive an answer. It would be good to start your own thread for your question.
We wish you the best!
I have generalized anxiety. I was on prednisone 30mg for three days with no taper for a sinus infection and laryngitis. A few days after stopping the prednisone, I had extreme anxiety lasting 24 hours. My heart rate would not slow and I had to her put on propranolol to lower my pulses. It's helping a little. Has anyone else heard if this happening after prednisone? Will it go away? I e never had panic before, just general anxiety without physical symptoms.
Just got out of a 4 day admission from the hospital for Bell's Palsy. I was put on prednisone, not sure how much. The anxiety attacks are the worst ive ever experienced. Last time i had one was 14 yrs. ago when i pregnant with my twins. I feel CONSTANTLY like someone is sitting on my chest near my neck and its hard to breathe. Of course, i go into tears and the tingling and numbness starts in my arms and legs from hyperventilating. I have been off the med for 2 days now and am taking XANAX for anxiety. It works temporarily, but the attacks keep coming back. Please tell me what can i do at home to help this. Don't say "Breathe" if i could do this, maybe the anxiety will subside. I take very short tiny breaths and have tried the deep breaths, but the pressure is still always there.
This is the worse drug for me ever!!! Alot of people on this site under prednisone has said the same. I was given this for vertigo, because the PA thought i had fluid in my ears. Each pill was 5mg, the first day I started with 6 pills, THATS 30mg!! Then weened down. By day three I was sick as a dog. Anxiety out the butt! Irritability, night sweats, weak, tired and could not sleep. Everytime I would try to fall asleep, I would feel these weird brain zapps in my head, and at the same time my body would heat up really hot, sweaty and heart racing fast. I woke up each time exhausted, confused and scared. I woke up at least 6 times in one night! Then enough was enough, I went to the ER and they ran all test. My bp was high...but everything else normal. It took a month to get over these side effects. That was September 10, 2011, now im doing much better. Almost back to my old self. Prednisone really frazzled my nerves and IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!! If you have any type of anxiety, mental issues or are just sensitive to steriods, USE THIS DRUG WITH CAUTION PLEASE!!
1 Comments
Knowing that someone else had anxiety while taking this prescribed drug. I am taking it for a poison plant rash and have to take 50mg and the first time taking it an hour and a half later I started feeling like crap full of anxiety and feeling irritable and weak. So looking up the symptoms and to see if anyone else has had this feeling, kind of glad I'm not the only one. Freaking out because I didn't know why I was feeling like this woke up feeling great took the 50mg tablet started feeling like crap and can't focus.
Mammo, please with all due respect, you are giving fasle information. Prednisone does in fact cause anxiety, that is one if the side affect!! OMG, I cant believe you actually posted that. Prednisone can also cause severe mood swings, mania and depression. The higher the dose the worse off some can be. However not ALL people experience side effects from this drug. But yes indeed this med can cause anxiety, agitation, heart racing, insomina, weakness and the list goes on....Just research this drug and you will see. And if does have lasting effects on SOME people. Even after taking it a lot of people on this same site have experienced on going side effects that get better with time. I am going to post my personal story below. If anybody has any questions for me or want to share their story with me, please feel free to message me, I always check my inbox
Prednisone and adrenal fatigue did not occur coincidentally in my case. Ask my doctors. In England they take the connection very seriously. Not like here where we have to keep the drug houses happy.
I think your anxiety and you being on Prednisone was just a coincidence. I feel you should contact your doctor regarding how you are feeling and go from there. Anxiety is not a side effect of the medication and for it to be worse after stopping it....leads me to believe that it's not the medication. He may want to run some blood work to determine if there is something else causing you to feel anxious. Anxiety can hit us right out of the blue regardless of how healthy we are. I hope this helps and please talk to your doctor.
Prednisone can harm the adrenal glands causing adrenal fatigue and high cortisol. It is the high cortisol that causes anxiety and panic attacks.
1 Comments
Do the anxiety and panic attacks ever completely go away? Without meds?
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