Adjust the timing of the dose Using chronotherapy, a technique involving scheduling dosages at certain times to minimize side effects of a medication, may help lessen anxiety resulting from prednisone use. It's important to never abruptly stop taking prednisone or to drastically change your dosage schedule.
Psychological withdrawal symptoms could last for 2 to 8 weeks. The doctor may give you blood tests to check your cortisol levels as you taper off prednisone. You may need to taper off more slowly or go back to your regular dose if you have severe symptoms.
Listening to audiobooks or watching television – something with a strong narrative can help me focus and relax the hormones in my body. Be kind to yourself while on prednisone. Joining prednisone support groups has made me feel less crazy.
Yes! Taking high doses of prednisone will increase the body's overall stimulation level, like how high levels of stress can increase circulating cortisol levels.
You can reduce the risk of certain side effects like insomnia by taking the drug earlier in the day. Other side effects like weight gain, mood swings, and osteoporosis may be reduced with lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and improved sleep habits.
However, research has found that taking moderate to high doses of anabolic steroids is associated with various psychiatric disorders, including anxiety, mood disorders, insomnia and even psychosis.
If a person experiences insomnia while taking prednisone, taking the medication in the morning may help minimize the disruption to the sleep-wake cycle. Alternatively, a doctor may suggest splitting the dose between morning and night.
This medicine may cause changes in mood or behavior for some patients. Tell your doctor right away if you have depression, mood swings, a false or unusual sense of well-being, trouble with sleeping, or personality changes while taking this medicine.
The half-life ranges anywhere from 18 to 36 hours, so it may take a few days for side effects like headache, mood swings, or irritability to start getting better. Some side effects, such as weight gain, swelling, hair loss, or skin problems may take a few weeks or months to return to normal.
Prednisone Withdrawal Cold Turkey
Stopping prednisone “cold turkey” is not recommended. Ideally, a doctor would taper the patient by prescribing a dose that slowly reduces the amount of prednisone consumed to give the adrenal glands time to adjust production of cortisol. This process helps to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
A full recovery can take a week to several months. Contact your doctor if you experience prednisone withdrawal symptoms as you are tapering off the drug.
Mental Health Side Effects
Early in treatment (within several days), prednisone may increase feelings of well-being, anxiety, hypomania or mild euphoria. With long-term therapy, however, people may develop depression.
Typically, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis recovers after cessation of glucocorticoids, but the timing of recovery can be variable and can take anywhere from 6–12 months.
Taking prednisone too late in the evening can cause sleeplessness and insomnia, too. Make sure you also take your dose of prednisone with food, and just FYI, grapefruit juice has no effect on prednisone. Prednisone has long-lasting effects and is usually prescribed once daily.
This involves gradually reducing the dose over days, weeks, or months. Some typical recommendations for prednisone tapering include: Dosages above 40 milligrams (mg) per day: Decrease by 5 mg at a time until you reach 20 mg per day. Dosages of 20 mg: Decrease in 2.5-mg increments until you reach 10 mg per day.
Yes, Xanax and prednisone can be taken together. There is only a minor interaction between the two. Minor interactions do not usually cause harm OR require a change in therapy. Your health care provider will determine if adjustments to your medication are needed.
Vegetables such as potatoes, artichokes, and spinach as well as squash are also high in potassium. Beans and almonds are good sources as well. There is some research that indicates that potassium can also help reduce blood pressure. Watch salt intake to reduce blood pressure and reduce fluid retention.
Restlessness: In addition to mood changes, prednisone can increase energy levels. Some people may not mind this side effect, but others may feel unpleasantly jittery. It can also make you feel like it's harder to concentrate.
If you take magnesium as a supplement, studies that showed that magnesium can have anti-anxiety effects generally used dosages of between 75 and 360 mg a day, according to the 2017 review. It's best to consult a healthcare practitioner before taking any supplement so you know the correct dose for you.
Foods naturally rich in magnesium may, therefore, help a person to feel calmer. Examples include leafy greens, such as spinach and Swiss chard. Other sources include legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Foods rich in zinc such as oysters, cashews, liver, beef, and egg yolks have been linked to lowered anxiety.
B-complex, vitamin E, vitamin C, GABA, and 5-HTP are 5 vitamins commonly used to help with anxiety and stress.