Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
High Dose Prednisone and Panic Attacks???
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
High Dose Prednisone and Panic Attacks???
by rodfaces, Jan 14, 2002 12:00AM
Hello,
Last October, my wife was prescribed 60mg of prednisone daily for 7 days for an nagging arthritic condition with no taper. While on the therapy, she had an incredible steroid high for three days and then what I'd describe as a crash with all kinds of emotional effects, anger, panic, anxiety. Since stopping her regimen, she is still experiencing panic attacks many times during the day and at night. She's never had them before. Our physician has prescribed lorazepam and this helps and he said it may take awhile to clear up. She is an otherwise healthy, well adjusted 40 year old life's companion!
My question is, could this prednisone cause this much trouble and if so, will it clear up???
Thanks!
Last October, my wife was prescribed 60mg of prednisone daily for 7 days for an nagging arthritic condition with no taper. While on the therapy, she had an incredible steroid high for three days and then what I'd describe as a crash with all kinds of emotional effects, anger, panic, anxiety. Since stopping her regimen, she is still experiencing panic attacks many times during the day and at night. She's never had them before. Our physician has prescribed lorazepam and this helps and he said it may take awhile to clear up. She is an otherwise healthy, well adjusted 40 year old life's companion!
My question is, could this prednisone cause this much trouble and if so, will it clear up???
Thanks!
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jan 14, 2002 12:00AM
, Jan 14, 2002 12:00AM
Yes it can cause this much trouble, and yes it will clear up. Your doctor is giving you good advice and a good medication. It shouldn't take too long.
But there is another possibility to consider. Being forty, and having an arthritic condition, may have set off some midlife fears. If so, some short term counseling would be useful.
But there is another possibility to consider. Being forty, and having an arthritic condition, may have set off some midlife fears. If so, some short term counseling would be useful.
