Bipolar disorder and prednisone (steroids)

[btsmith]

I was admitted to the E.R. last week with shortness of breath and very disorintated.  They thought I was having an asthma attack.  I told them I hadn't slept much in a week, my pupils were dialated.  My whole gyroscope was out of wack.  On the way out I talked to a lady there and I told her I was bipoler and was on prednisone for joint pain.  She told me that prednisone can bring on a psychotic phase in normal people and with a pre-existing condition it can be really ugly.  Has anyone ever heard of such a thing?

[dr3amsofglass]

are you on any medication for bi-polar?

[btsmith]

   Yes right now I am taking lithium and trileptal.  I was on lamictal and trileptal but had to switch to lithium as my insurance allowance for medication has run out and lamictal and trileptal costs about $500.00 per month.  Befor the month is out I'll have to go to lithium and depakote until I can figure something else out.
btsmith

[kgill78]

Just in case you are still checking on this thread.  I had to take prednisone for a massive poison ivy outbreak and it sent me spiraling into a manic episode.  Wish I would have known that prednisone did that BEFORE I got it.  What the previous poster said is absolutely true!

[btsmith]

   Yes it is a very scary ride.  Pretty soon I wasn't sleeping anymore and in real bad shape.  Also knowing what was causing it was bugging the hell out of me.   The only reason I found out was when I was checking out of the E.R. I mentioned to the nurse there that my brain just wouldn't shut down and I was having a hard time breathing and she told me that prednisone will cause a psychotic event in a normal person and send a bipolar person into an extreme manic episode.  However it doesn't do it for all b-pers.  Now if I have to have prednisone (for my copd) the doc gives me some klonopin to balance me out.   Yea that was one of the scariest times of my life.
   The first thing they gave me when I entered the E.R. was 20 mg. of prednisone.
   You might want to think about an allergic bracelet.
btsmith

[btsmith]

   Yes I know exactly what you mean.  I get all jacked up on steroids (I think everyone does) and coupled with a bipolar problem can send a person off the rictor scale.  As I stated before I would highly recommend a "downer" like klonopin while taking prednisone to try to get some kind of a balance.  I was actually slipping in and out of conciousness when I was in the ambulance.  Steroids are not a drug to be taken lightly,  they can do all kinds of bad stuff, that's why they are on a taper on taper off system.  (I see this link wasn't sent to me now, don't know why it ended in my inbox)

[kgill78]

that allergy bracelet is great idea...I will never take prednisone ever again...glad you're doing better, btsmith

Take care
Krystal

[btsmith]

  Glad to be of help.  I know what a problem being bipolar can create.  During my episode of prednisone I lost a couple of good friends due to my rantings and ravings.  I must remind you that I brought this up with my primary care physician and he said not all people respond the way we did, but then again not everyone responds to any drugs the same.  If you have to use it in an emergency, as asthmatics, like myself there is no better use of last resort as prednisone, but If you have to use it make sure your doctor gives a "counter" drug like klonopin or oxycontin offset it.   However both those drugs are highly addictive.  I am sure you have read what steroids can do to people.
btsmith

[BK729]

I am allergic to peanut butter, and after my reaction. the doctors put me on prednisone for five days. I felt really good and realized that prednisone put me into a mania. Than after not taking prednisone I began to get some of my anxiety back.

[btsmith]

  I am assuming you are also bipolar.  I personally think that pharmacists should have a red flag on their prescription logs for prednisone and bipolar.   They told me that if they had to put red flags on all the negative interactions of prednisone they would need another computer.   The anxiety thing I'm not sure about.
btsmith

[Crystlas]

Yes, I have heard of prednisone being bad for people that are bipolar.  It causes mania and psychosis in bipolar people.  It put me into mania both times I used it for my foot pain.  I have plantar faciitis and it was used to bring down my inflamation (inflammation).  Anyhow, any steroid causes mania in bipolar people.  Hope this helps.