Diagnosed depression, might have chronic fatigue, why does prednisone help?
Question posted by sandigiffin1 on 17 Sep 2009
Last updated on 5 November 2016 by Windchimes123
May have chronic fatigue, but diagnosed depression, only med that helped, prednisone? Still unsure what my true condition\illness is. Started with chronic sinus infections (I had surgery for this but it may have caused another issue ENS, still have sinus infections but deeper)/ headach's every day/scalp tender to touch and "indented" on top (seriously) /memory issues(forgetful)/ disorented/ confusion/ low tolorance for any stress/ Extreme fatigue/mental exaustion/ weeping at inapproiate times/uncontrolled upsetting thoughts/ exaustion/ perfuse sweating (not age related)/ Hands numb when waking, lower back extreme pain waking in night/ not getting restful sleep/ legs to knees painful and stiff/ upper middle back pain and pressure between sholder blades/ cracking stiffness in neck and back somewhat releaved by anti-inflamitory meds. finally complete breakdown of physical mental strength, extreme fatigue, could not get out of bed even though I wasnted to, became dizzy to the point of passing out. At times this would come on without warning and I would pass out (sleep). No Depression meds helped, only anti anxity med took edge off. Any stress triggers eithor fatigue or if pushed to have to do mental work... think and concentrate..on something that I ABSOLUTLY HAVE TO DO (like fill out forms, or write even a simple letter) I go into a sortof manic stage where I can not sleep at all... cant shut my mind down, like everything that has bothered me, or trama in my life, all comes back at once. After a week or so it subsideds, and I am back to disorgnization, confustion, fatigue, crying, headachs, and preception of time. I no longer go out, I avoid friends and socializing (not at all my before self). even noise or types of distractions bother me now, I am easly agitated now. one of the most upsetting changes is, When I try to orgnaze things like keeping records or paperwork in order, I find later I have put these things in odd places with no order or reason, that is very scary to me. My doctor still believes this is Depression but now may be more bi-polar and had put me on medication for that, but side affect is i am more disorented. The onley thing that had a marked effect on me was when I became ill (could not catch my breath-shallow short breaths) and was treated with Prednisone, for the first time in almost 2 years I was almost normal, energy and thinking, and mood, I was motivated to get some things accomplished that I had let go for a long time. But I dont know why this had such an effect on me. Medication ended and back to same old.
Why would Prednisone have this effect on depression?
Hi Sandi, I know exactly what you are going through. Doesn't the frustration and anger get worse after wasting your little energy to go to a stupid doctor who doesn't know and is too lazy to look it up? It would take me 5-6 days of pain and no sleep to get back to my fragile baseline. If you are not happy with your doctor than find one who believes in chronic fatigue. I hate the name of this disease! It adds to the lack of serious attention paid to this syndrome. You do NOT want to be on Prednisone! It's a med that has systemic side effects that can be very worrisome. Initially, you feel a surge of energy. However it does not last more than a few weeks and then it hits hard. I needed all my energy just to breathe! It also causes weight gain including the"moon face".
Another con, it activates the yeast (normal part of gut) to mecoming a big problem with thrush and vaginal itching. ENS has part of its syndrome,IBS, which will worsen with the added yeast problem.
I finally found something that helped the brain fog, depression and activity levels. The name is Ritalin (Methylphenidate) just like you hear for ADD in children. Ritalin is a stimulant and an anti-depressant so it's killing a lot of birds with one stone. There are problems : - CFS requires higher doses than what they usually start people on. I would have an argument every time and now I'm on the max dose. I feel I could double it and may be it would get me up without thinking about it for an hour. - Ritalin is prescribed for only ADD or ADD. It can be used by confident and informed doctors "off label" for CFS. This may be easier to obtain in a University setting by a specialist. Read the symptoms off ADD and you will be surprised how many you have in common (without the hyper part). I had family members that were on Adderall so I used that to get the diagnosis. They then start to see the positive effect so they will be a little more giving. - Ritalin is a class drug meaning it's monitored by the state like opioid. They tried to get me off in the hospital and my husband pointed out that I just had 30mg and I was sitting there quietly. "Does she look like she's taking this for speed. Isn't that how you diagnose CFS by not having what "normal" people have symptom-wise? I could have kissed him because I felt like a potted plant trying to follow what they were saying! - This is a drug that you can easily become tolerant to fairly quickly. Your goal is to stay at the lowest effective dose possible until it stops working. My present dose is 30mg at 8am, 20mg at noon and 10mg no later than 6pm to get me through the night. The duration of action is 4 hours so watch that last dose or you will stay up half the night. I still have to take myself off for a week about 3 x year to make them more effective again. - The long acting type did not work for me. Neither did Adderall nor Strattera (?sp). - It works wonders for the depression! The anti-depressants takes months to work and they never did for me. I was the happiest person in the world on active days so it's considered atypical depression. Ritalin works right away! - Some people say the Brand works much better than the generic. I could never find the brand so I can't tell you. - Another positive effect was it controlled my pain enough to decrease my pain meds almost in half at first. It feels like it numbs the nerve endings so the burning is less.
I also take Provigyl (so?) which makes me become more alert sooner in the day without daytime grogginess. It's taken once a day in the AM. Look up Autonomic Dystonia. It's the umbrella syndrome that covers ENS. You may find very specific symptoms that help you diagnose yourself. My specific was breaking out in a sweat when washing my hair! Weird! It's the act of raising your arms above your head that triggered it for me. Use the University sites or the ones dedicated to Autonomic Dystonia.
So that is my story... Best wishes to you... :-)
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SR
Srr1111
2 Nov 2016
Honestly with so much medical history to consider you should look into, or quickly go to a known to be, very good diagnostic clinic and they will work as a team of specialists to find potential diagnoses they wouldn't think of alone. Also Fibromyalgia and/or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome are worth researching.
Votes: +1
WA
waters_marsha
20 April 2012
With your mentioning many things, such as inability to concentrate, disorganization, confusion and lack of time perception, distractability, and other symptoms, it sounds like you may get a doctor's opinion to see if you have ADHD because you have all the classic symptoms. A very good doctor told me the diagnoses that psychiatrists get paid, and manic depressive is one of them. This diagnosis often involves medicines that have idosyncratic reactions and complicate a person classified as manic depressive, who may just be ADHD; however, diagnoses are often misdiagnosed, and if I were you I would try ritalin or Vyvanse or Adderall; if you try Adderall be sure to not mix with a MAO, or it can cause dizziness. These medications worked the best out of the hundreds of medications I have tried for depression. Also, I recently added 250 mg Provigil due to extreme daytime sleepiness and depression. Let me know!
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AM
amandabear101
10 April 2012
Hi I know exactly how your feeling. The Drs. just think its all in your head you know your body and how your feeling. I have been sick for 10 yrs now almost 11. I have (gastritis,hyaital hernia,I.B.S,GERD,also insomnia,sleep apnea,chronic fatigue syndrome, severe back neck and shoulder pains, slipped discs bulging herniated and cracked discs.) There is more but I am only 24 years old. Trust me it gets depressing not knowing what is wrong with you and people telling you your depressed well hello look at how we feel everyday. I do my very best to stay positive some days are worse then others and i have a very active 2yr old son. Its not in your head i also get 104 fever and severe night sweats every night never really feel rested and its alot to deal with! My mom told me about this lady who was sick for 10 yrs no one could figure out what it was and then one day i guess one of her drs.
found out what was wrong atleast a big part of her health problems. It is called (Cephus Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) same exact symptoms we have so i may do some research i think you should to. I am praying for you and we will beat this just stay positive and email me anytime :)
Votes: +0
LO
lorimarlin1
26 Jan 2012
Ha!!! prednisone is gods relleif mircale drug... Its an oral steroid and an adrenal drug that makes u feel on top of the world. I been on these 12 years until my doctor the health food freek says pill break, my butt. i went into sever adrenalin crisis. Its a scary thing that u can talk backwards and understand your self... however being that this sounds as im being funny im not, very serious I almost died. And the next doctor took me off bam... sorry lori no more pills of any kinds cuz i tested positive for amphetamines, however was not on street drug but 2 types albuterol and prednisone will test pos. for this as well, I didnt get the asthma meds from that doc but the super at the E.R. and nebulizer. Well long short they put me back on prednisone for breathing as this now is not a med I can stop. 12 years of the med and Im still more to where I dont care what i will not stop that pill.
It is my adrenalin period end of all story, do your self a favor, stop it before you cant produce your own, my alternitive is Nothing im allergic to all anti inflams so this is my all pill migraine bad mood asthma attacks and pain. If you need then only take what they say dont abruptly stop and do only the measure up to mesure down... lots of luck lori oh if you can take anything else then i suggest just because all doctors are going thru this pill relook crap and many are being bumped they dont care if we go thru hell they are to save the hides for what ever they did stupid thru last yrs new rules... cali, that is...
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SW
Sweet Victory
20 April 2011
So sorry to have a you feel like this... but I agree with Sacosam. The symptons are so PMR. You do need a Rheum Doctor! Predisone is a steroid, it would help a any person feel better depending how much they take, even a healthy person would feel better, and the only side effect seems to be the loss of sleep. So it seems... Steroids are silent, they will catch up to you. Get to the Rummie Doc. You need some serious trial and error meds to help wean off Predisone. But it is not going to be one script and you are better. It will most likely be a "cocktail" and certian meds at certian mgs will be individual for your symptons.
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IN
Inactive
1 April 2011
Prednisone can make you very hyper & very hugery, It's not something you want to take for long periods of time tho', as it does have bad side effects. It can cause osteoporosis. I can't believe your question was asked 2 years ago. Hope things have gotten better for you, It sounds to me like you might have Fibromyalgia & Anxiety along with it. Are you on any medications yet, & how are you doing now? Sounds like you need a really good work up, medication, & mayber some counseling. Hope this gives you some help, & hope you are feeling better by now. Please let us know...
Votes: +0
BR
brenda fain
1 April 2011
your doc should put you back on it if it helped yo to get back to your old self!and i agree with others ,sounds like you have fibro!and meds work different on folks prednisone put me out of my head when i was in the hospital pulled pick line out and don't remember doing it ,nurse said i walked the halls all night!it was causing me to be sleep deprived !
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CH
chronicfatigue
31 March 2011
You need to get a second opinion. I have chronic fatigue and fibermyalgia, and although you may or may not have those illnesses, you need to see an internist or specialist who treats those illnesses. Not all doctors are receptive to dealing with them. I was lucky enough to change to an internist who diagnosed the problem quickly and found a new drug they have now that helps greatly. I also have a tremendous support group in my family and friends which helps.
Some of my symptoms are exhaution, body aches so bad, unable to focus or think straight, nausea, dizziness, depression (not clinical-just caused by being so sick) The doctor put me on Savella and Provigil last May. I have been smiling ever since I got to the full dose. I can now focus, think straight, very happy, and feel pretty good most of the time.
Please see a doctor who deals in those two illnesses and get it marked on or off as a problem. If it is the problem, you could go off some of your other stuff, and the Savella and Provigil changed my life. Best of Luck
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CA
caringsonbj
14 Jan 2011
not really sure this is just a thought if you have been to a good internal medicine doctor and you've tried all these other medications there must be something not right, or like me with Chronic pain you have not hit the right medication, I know I can understand just how you feel just like a totally different person, I want you to keep searching, you have it in you I have have some of the same worthless feelings and so much back pain that I didn't think I could live but I am writing to you now, I think it's so hard to have to be able to think and process things without so much effort but maybe this will help out there somewhere is someone with the exact or a variation of just how you feel just to know that you are not alone means the world I want you to be safe and to continue to hang in there, sometimes you probably feel like you are taking baby steps just to thrive, Please keep trying
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SA
Sacosam
14 April 2010
Dear Sandigiffen: May god and Spirit give you thier blessing as you are going through Hell. You don't say exactly where your pain is, but it sounds to Me like PMR or Polymyalgia Rheumatica... aching & stiffness , worse on arising in the morning , effects shoulders & upper arms , neck , hips , & thighs. I also get horrible hand and wrist pain You definately need to see a rheumatologist. From your description of your head pains , and that dent, I fear that You may have something called "Giant cell arteritis"! This disease goes hand in hand with PMR. On the good side, you and Prednisone get along well and that is a blessing as prednisone is the drug of choice for both diseases. Don't let anyone touch your sinuses [I also am constantly sneezing, runny nose, cough.etc.] hell Girl you and I got the same symptoms, and social problems. My neighbors aren't to swift...
so when an enemy of mine spread the word that i've got the H1N1 Flu virus or aids, well at least they still wave ! But they ain't gonna' visit ! One more thing Sandy, please check out depression. Prednisone can and often does create heavy depression. If you need help , if I can help you in any way , I am for you and I am Sacosam
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KA
kaloeding
13 April 2010
I can't really say much about prednisone because even high doses did nothing for me(I have fibro,osteo arth,celiac disease and now possible ra),but your symptoms are EXACTLY what I have dealt with. On a whim my neurologist(treating me for severe migraines,dizziness,memory loss,numbnes in hands)checked my b12 level-was extremely low-sent me to a gi doc to see why found out i had celiac disease and my small intestine was not absorbing anything-I thought it was crazy that all my symptoms could be because of that-but I started with b12 injections weekly until my levels were normal now i get them monthly. I then had to start a gluten(wheat) free diet and as my intestine healed many of my symtoms subsided-my memory and concentaration returned to normal-it was like coming out of the fog. No more profuse sweating,shortness of breath,i was able to handle stress better so i slept better,no more dizziness.
I still have my other health issues to deal with but this one diagnosis I can better cope with everything else. So don't give up-it might be worth asking to have your b12 level checked. I hope you find some answers!
Votes: +1
TI
till33
13 April 2010
damn sounds like you are having it rough..i have suffered with depression all my life and chronic pain ,and then opiate addiction for years ..i still function a little but only when i have too,otherwise i dont leave my house,even though im pretty miserable i still isolate..but anyway enough about me.i just wanted to tell you i will be praying for you and i hope things get better..just try to hang in there you will make it..
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ST
steve525
13 April 2010
Hi Sandigiffin1; I don't have much to say except I've helped two people who took Prednisone and all I have to say is speak to your Dr. re: bone deteriation with that drug! It is hideious. Your bones will get very brittle after usage. Depression will make pain feel much worse than it really is because you fixate on it, like a toothache. I take 80mg of Prozac and still have trouble shutting off my mind. I stay up late until I'm very tired and then sleep and my pain lasts forever. We all have to live with it. If we took the dosage that we truley need to kill all the pains we'd be zombies. Then we'd have NO life at all. I try and stay still and sit all day until I need to do someting then I put up with the pain and go do my thing! 1st deal with the depression and see where you stand with your true pain level.
Don't try and do things you're not able to do anymore, life threw shit your (our) way and instead of stepping in it and getting stuck, just slide on it and go forward! Please be well. I hate to see someone like me, it's depressing enuf. Steve525
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BA
barbles2413
1 Dec 2009
Has your doc suggested seeing a neurologist? Just a thought maybe be they can do some nuerological testing. Just a thought. Good Luck and God bless I will keep you in my prayers
