Last day of prednisone...will I sleep better now?

[lovemy6monkeys]

I did 3 days of IV steroids starting April 26th, and have been on the prednisone taper since.

My doctor gave me all kinds of medicines to take along with the prednisone. Ok, only two, but for someone who hates to take medicine that's a lot LOL

I've taken prilosec everyday to prevent tummy troubles. Also, I've been taking a sleeping pill each night. I can take one or two, and up till this past week I've pretty much taken 2. I also take gabapentin every night, usually 300 or 400mg.

I haven't had much of an issue with falling asleep, but last week I would wake up by 6am every morning. I don't have to wake up until 7:30. And, I'm not much of a morning person. This week I've been awake by 5am. On the one hand, it is almost not horrible, LOL, I get a good hour of quiet before anyone else wakes up. I've been making hot breakfasts for the family. Admittedly, my house is never usually this clean...but I have a lot more hours in my morning to fill! The down-side is the mind numbing exhaustion by 3pm every afternoon, and an afternoon and evening of me being cranky.

I'm taking my last prednisone pill today (10mg). I'm wondering what I can expect? Will I go back to "normal" tomorrow? Or pop wide awake super early again? Does it take a while for the prednisone to get out of your system?

I've decided that starting on Monday I want to wake up by 6am every morning, so I can take a brisk walk for 30 minutes, to get exercise and also just to get some time alone, just me and some kick-butt music.

Any thoughts on what happens after you finish a prednisone taper is greatly appreciated. My husband was teasing me saying he thinks I'm going to go to sleep tonight and not wake up until Tuesday of next week LOL
~Jess

[GrannyJo6]

I am five weeks out from five days of solumedrol. My neuro prescribed lorazapam (anti-anxiety) and Ambien (for sleep) while on it. I loved it! I've had small doses of Prednisone for lung issues and had trouble getting to sleep so at a thousand mg. a day I knew I would never sleep!  He also said it takes 4 - 6 weeks for it all to exit your body. I have an MRI this next week and had to wait because the solumendrol can interfere with the contrast dye. So, I quite taking the Ambien and weaned myself off by taking a whole lorazpam before bed and that has worked. Most nights I can get to sleep OK, but if I am the least wound up, I need something. So, that's my story! Everyone reacts differently!

[lovemy6monkeys]

Thanks for the replies!

I guess I'll just have to see how it goes!

I took my last 10mg pill yesterday afternoon. I told my husband I almost felt like there should have been some sort of ceremony. Well, something other then me standing in my kitchen and my 3 year old saying "Whatcha doin', Mama? What is that? What you eating? You take your medicine? Can I see it, Mama? Why you take medicine, Mama? Medicine is so boring! Can I have some candy?" :-)

I have decided that today I'm taking an 'unofficial' day off. I did all the dishes last night, so I'm not doing any today. Cleaning will either wait till tomorrow or the older kids will do it. My husband is in charge of dinner, I told him I don;t care if he buys it or cooks when he gets home, I'm just not cooking! I'm going to stay in my pajamas, along with my younger 2, and we will spend a lot of time playing, watching movies, and hopefully I might even take a nap!

Happy Friday everyone!!
~Jess

[coco31]

Oh God dont you just love IV steriods????? My house gets cleaned from top to bottom, I cut the lawn, wash the windows and stay up extra late to dive into a good book.... Then I eat loads of food, drink lots of tea. All this energy when I just dont feel well is fantastic! Its such a boost. Only problem I have had is excruciating bone pain on day 3-5..... ouch.

Generally it really helps with annoying symptoms and gives me that boost that I lack during a relapse.

Sharon.

[Zacksmomi]

ess is right, there are no two reactions that are the same I think.  

I have had 3 rounds of IV steroids 5 days each with no taper.  My body did not go back to "normal" until the steroids were gone, but YES indeed once everything was out of my system I was able to sleep again.

Steroids give you a feeling of "high" that is not really a dopey high, but a powerful "I have tons of energy" kind of high (at least for me) Except with me that high is only in my brain and the rest of my body disagrees. I tend to lay on the couch all night with my eyes wide open staring into space or at the TV.

Just be careful to use your energy wisely.  You feel great in the morning but then you do too much.  It is hard to find the balance and also hard to accept that you can't do it all any more.  Maybe choose between making everyone a hot meal and having a sparkling kitchen.  I usually do hot meal one day, cereal and clean kitchen the next.  I hope that makes sense.  

Big hugs to you
D

[LoveMyBostons]

I finished my last prednisone pill 2 days ago. It was my first go-round of IV steroids. Luckily I didn't have trouble sleeping after my first day of the IV. I'm sorry you can't stay asleep.

I hope somone else will chime in also here and add their thoughts. Personally, I'm curious when my sense of taste will return to normal.

[essdipity]

Hi Jess.

I'm not a good one to answer, never having been given IV steroids. But from what I've read here, reactions at the end are highly individual. Guess you'll just have to wait and be surprised.

:o}  :o{

ess