Is there an anti-depressant that would have the same mood altering qualities as Prednosone?

I have had the same exact result and after 10 years of dealing with depression and 20 different anti depressants nothing worked like prednisone.

I have had a really similar reaction. Prednisone makes me feel normal—lifts the fog of lethargy and depression. Gives me energy and confidence and I feel like a normal (non-depressed) person, which is rare. I wonder what the pattern here is. I think just saying “depression is an inflammation in the brain” is a radical oversimplification. I wonder if there could be a more benign drug that would have similar effects on brain chemistry. If you have similar effects from prednisone, please comment. It would be great if we could help doctors figure out what’s going on here. A doctor I see is interested in what might cause the radical mood change. Maybe we’re all suffering from a similar type of depression that corticosteroids somehow alleviate.

Prednisone targets inflammation in the body and now there is evidence that depression is caused by very low levels of chronic inflammation in the brain. No wonder Prednisone relieves depression. American sedentary lifestyle, car culture, not walking 35 minutes a day, not eating enough veggies, fast food, not having enough vitamin D and omega -3 intake , staying up late, etc all contribute to depression and this low level inflammation in the body. We need a lifestyle change if you are serious about fighting your depression. Perfect Health Diet book by Paul Jaminet has lot of knowledge on nutrition and what to eat and what not to eat, etc.

Hi, I was having the same problems with long term depression, and took Prednisone for a breathing problem, for a week. Like you ,it was like I grew another lung , I felt so much better, and no depression, with no side affects. I felt normal for the first time in years, my workouts were like a normal persons without so much struggle But now off of it has been miserable,tired all the time just miserable.Too bad they cant make a drug to deliver that kind of help. Can a person take a very small dose, say 5mg a day?

Hello. I agree with those above. The feeling you have is very temporary.

However, this is an excellent time to get back to the doc and clearly let him know that you have had this experience and would like a support medication to help you regain your sense of well being.

Because you are now at the opposite of depression and now know this is temporary, you can get on board with a good medication for the depression. Probably a different class of drugs than what you have tried before. A good Psych Doc knows what to look at. That is mostly what they do - manage medications.

The prednisone will be short term to relieve the pressure in your wrist. So don't get too worried about its effects. Hope you find some better answers. Use your energy wisely, right? Be well soon.

Be very careful with the prednisone. At first it can make you feel like you are on top of the world. But many times it can bring on some pretty bad things, such as osteoporosis, irritability, depression, anxiety and a whole host of other bad things. I was on high dose for only two weeks and did experience the manic rush of getting things done, claritiy of thoughts and so forth. One week later I was experiencing the worst anxiety I have ever felt. I am still suffering from the anxiety... enough to be hospitalizied and started on antianxiety medications. I have been off the prednisone for one month by the way. I look forward to discontinuing the psych medications and the doctors give me hope that I can quit in acouple of months. Prednisone totally messed up my adrenal corticol steroids. I will never take prednisone again. Please be careful.

Yes, prednisone is doing this because it has a tendancy to help a lot of different things like arthritis pain, etc... If you have pain problems from an injury or joint pain it will make you feel wonderful while you are on it, but unfortunately your doctor or any other will not prescribe it long term for depression. It is not good for your body system as a whole, & can break down your bones with osteoporosis too. It can stop your adrenal glands from producing cortisol whch you need to function properly. These are just two reasons they give for not using it long term. You do not want these other conditions believe me. If you suffer from depression talk to your doctor about it, or a therapist to get to the bottom of what is causing your depression. If your need meds they will be prescribed as an anti depressant.Hope this helps. & welcome to the site lob hotti 1...