Prednisone affects areas of the brain that manage the regulation of different neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine — the “feel-good” hormones. Feeling happy is a great side effect some people feel with prednisone. Other responses are more menacing, especially if you don't know what to expect.
However, steroids are also known to increase irritability, anxiety and aggression and cause mood swings, manic symptoms and paranoia, particularly when taken in high doses.
Prednisone can cause an increase in energy. You may also have insomnia, or difficulty sleeping. Taking the medication in the morning may help prevent this.
It works by calming down an overactive immune system, which can reduce swelling. Taking prednisone for a short period of time can cause side effects like changes in appetite and mood, sweating, and trouble sleeping. People taking it long term can experience weight gain, high blood pressure, cataracts, and osteoporosis.
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.
Steroids are a man-made version of hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands which are 2 small glands found above the kidneys. Steroids reduce redness and swelling (inflammation). This can help with inflammatory conditions such as asthma and eczema.
Prednisone and Mood Swings
In other words, a person receiving prednisone may find themselves feeling incredibly sad or mad and have absolutely no idea why. Prednisone has been associated with more serious problems such as psychotic disorders, delusions, and dementia.
Prednisone generally works very quickly — usually within one to four days — if the prescribed dose is adequate to reduce your particular level of inflammation.
Corticosteroids (such as Cortisone, Dexamethasone, and Prednisone) can cause panic attacks, anxiety symptoms, and mood swings in some individuals. Physicians aren't sure exactly why this is the case.
Steroids increase the number of red blood cells in the body.
Red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, producing more energy and better performance. As a result, athletes who use steroids often see an increase in strength.
While prednisone is not a stimulant, it can make you feel more alert or jittery. “It doesn't really interrupt sleep, but some patients find it keeps them awake when they don't want to be,” Dr. Ford says. What you can do: “If it's possible, we recommend you take your whole dose in the morning,” he recommends.
Prednisone has a tendency to raise the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood, which can cause increased body fat or diabetes in some people. It is important to avoid "simple" carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, chips, breads, candy and other highly processed foods.
You can prevent or reverse weight gain from prednisone through lifestyle changes. This includes eating a healthy diet, exercising, and avoiding longer courses of prednisone.
Enlightenment, “happiness on steroids,” is the direct awareness of that perfection. It's on the horizon, either in this lifetime or one to follow. Knowing that makes me happier than anything else!
Steroids make you feel more youthful, and in a corny kind of way it is like drinking a feelgood elixir. All the characteristics of getting older, such as feeling tired etc, get put on hold for a while. “When you come off it, in my experience, your body goes back to its normal cycle again eventually.
The most serious prednisone side effects usually include allergic reactions, infections, gastrointestinal issues and elevated blood sugar. These may occur when people take larger doses or take the medication for long-term treatment.
Prednisone 7.5 mg daily was added to the antidepressant regime. Five of six patients demonstrated significant improvement in depression on prednisone augmentation of antidepressant therapy.
by Drugs.com
In general: Low dose: less than 7.5 mg per day. Moderate dose: between 7.5 mg and 40 mg per day. High dose: 40 mg to 60 mg per day.
Common short-term side effects include changes in appetite, mood, energy, and sleep. Long-term prednisone treatment can lead to weight gain, osteoporosis, and cataracts. Diarrhea is not a side effect of prednisone. But other gastrointestinal symptoms are possible, like increased appetite and indigestion.
When a person stops taking prednisone or other steroids abruptly, they may notice symptoms similar to adrenal insufficiency. These include lethargy, low appetite, weight loss, and a general feeling of being unwell. Prednisone is a corticosteroid that doctors prescribe to treat swelling and inflammation.
There's no official definition. But over 30 days is generally considered long-term steroid use. Most often, oral corticosteroids are prescribed for roughly 1 to 2 weeks — and only for very severe symptoms. But for certain chronic health conditions, corticosteroids may be necessary for months or even years.
Corticosteroids reduce serotonin, which regulates mood, sleep, and pain perception. Excessive amounts of corticosteroids can lead to mood fluctuations and depression.
An example of this is the simultaneous use of corticosteroids and medications for depression, defiant or aggressive behaviour. Research has also indicated that corticosteroids lower serotonin levels. However, lowered serotonin levels may result in depression, aggression and other psychological conditions.
Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, Celexa, and Lexapro, are just a few brands of serotonin that we prescribe for those who suffer from depression, and/or anxiety disorder. There is evidence that these drugs can also improve premenopausal symptoms, even a role in the treatment of obesity and parkinson's disease.