I am on prednisone and can't sleep and severe leg/knee pain is this normal?

I am on it and I take 10mg of it every night right before I go to bed. I have been taking this for a year and a half. I get pain in my hips and thighs, toes are the worst, from my hips to my toes feel like they are on fire and they sting, burn, vibrates, pins and needles, dull ache, spasms, Everyone tells me it is just Burger's disease, which I have or they say it is Peripheral Artery disease which I also have. Yet every time I get my feet checked, they say you got good circulation. So I now know it is from Prednisone. After reading all your replies, no doubt in my mind it is Prednisone. Thank You who all replied and shared their story. I also got the swelling in my legs.

It happened to me. The first time it was severe knee pain after my dose finished- exactly 28 hours ( long enough for the full dose to be out of my system). I immediately got back on it , I thought it was some horrible withdrawal. On a different occasion I was two hours late on my dose and it came back this time in my feet. Worst pain of my life. I’m still weaning off of it. Is anyone a success of getting over the pain? I’m wondering if some don’t realize that if you don’t take it exactly the same time daily that’s when the pain comes- I split mine into two doses. I’m down to 4mg now, started at 60mg per day. No doctors have heard of this.

Hi everyone. I have had prednisone on several occasions over the past year and recently, since on my last session, I woke up the next morning with excruciating pain in my legs, knees, and thighs. It seems to spread as time goes on. I have course of stop taking prednisone but the pain continues and don't know what to do. The x-rays and MRI were negative and the doctor basically just sent me home. It sounds to me like it's a vascular necrosis. How is this diagnosed? Well, the pain eventually go away or is this permanent? I would appreciate any help or comments, as my doctor is no longer helping me.

Day 3 of 12 day high dose prednisone taper. My knee caps and shins feel like they have been bashed in.. swore I was going crazy.. then, I came across this post and realized I’m not.

Everything you all have shared is exactly what I am experiencing - I will follow up with my physician in the morning.

I only took 1 pill 20mg and I cannot stand my knee pain when I woke up. I’m scared that only 1 pill might give me permanent damage. I will not take another one. This is to treat my eczema

I believe my knees were permanently damaged from prednisone. On day 4 I woke up in the worst pain of my life. No one is listening. Felt like legs were in a meat grinder and pressure under my knees. Its been over 6 weeks and my knees are sore everyday and I still have phantom zings in my legs. Dr.s don't believe me. I'm so sad. I have never had knee pain now I feel they are damaged.

I can certainly corroborate having severe leg pain with prednisone. I was taking only 2.5mg a day to take the edge off my mold allergies, but a huge increase in mold and my allergic reactions caused me to double my dosage for the day. That night my legs - especially my calves - hurt so badly that I could NOT sleep, and nothing would stop the pain - several Tylenols, 10mg meloxicam, double RDAs of calcium, magnesium, and zinc, heating pad, strong massage, deep tissue vibrator massager - NOTHING STOPPED THE PAIN. I finally passed out from the drowsiness caused by the meloxicam (Mobic), but when I woke up my calves STILL HURT. The pain is gone now, but I've taken no prednisone for over 24 hours. That drug is evil stuff!!!

I had this same reaction. No one believed me and I had to beg my (ex) bf to take me to emergency. Even there the doctor thought I was just having a panic attack and sedated me. It felt like my bones were breaking inside me. I couldn't walk. I was screaming and crying in pain. It was terrifying. I took strong phenergan for the pain and passed out for days until I got the steroid out of my system.
If anyone finds out if this reaction has a name, that would be great to know.

I also was taking 50 mg prednisone and for two nights and days have had severe pain in my knee cap and leg so excruciating I would pass out from the pain or moments and then wake back up took Aleve and Flexeril nothing happened had to ride out the storm I did take calcium magnesium and zinc that was the only thing that helped just had to get that prednisone out of my system felt like prednisone poisoning or an overdose I never have had pain like that in my life the burning constant pain running up and down my leg from my hip to my ankle but mostly my knee cap felt like I was hit with a baseball bat today feeling better feels more like I fell off my bike and have road rash

I have the same knee pain and pain in my feet and hands as well. The knees are excruciating. I feel like I’m giving birth Thru my knee cap! The pain is unbearable, so much so, I’m moaning and crying. I can barely walk. I have RA, UC & Fibromyalgia. I’ve been on prednisone for 8 days 40 mg per day. My knees this onset was fast and when it came it hit like a ton of bricks. I’m glad I found this community, I felt alone and didn’t know if it was anyone else’s reaction. Also, how soon it will go away when I stop taking the prednisone. I can’t stand one more day/night of this. It’s 24/7.

First day to start steroids. 60mg this morning/first dose. The leg pain is excruciating

Hi, just reading through the answers, which all vary. Some people can have extreme reactions to Predisolne, so whether you’ve been taking it for ten years or three days, everyone is different. Like one of the other responses, I too, had an avascular occlusion from 3 days of one 20mg tablet per day for an asthma attack. No other medications at the time. Result 4 joint avascular necrosis of both hips and knees. The necrosis covering over 60 percent of affected joints. It also fast forwarded the rest of my spine into moderate to advanced osteoarthritis overnight. I suppose what I’m really wanting to get across here, that everyone of us may react differently to medications. Hope this helps.

I FEEL your pain literally!! Given large dose of Prednisone in ER and 5 day pack Rx. 36 hours after ER visit was 3 blocks from home walking dogs and OMG sudden sharp pains shot down my right thigh into my knee and my leg was like spaghetti. I COULD NOT walk more than a couple steps without this electrical feeling pains shot down my upper leg. At some point I did feel pain start in hip area down leg to knee. I found this blog and stopped taking Rx ASAP. 3 days of this followed. Called ER Dr and diagnosed me with baker's cyst on the telephone (BS). Pain moved to mid thigh over knee to upper lower leg (front side) for next 3-4 days. Lower back and hip region feels like bones are loose. Went to Dr all kinds of blood work and all is normal. Tried to tell her I need an MRI - gave me referral to Ortho Dr. Waiting now for appointment. Pain is now mostly in front area of lower leg with random electrical pains that make me moan out loud. Thanks to everyone for sharing experience it is giving me the courage to continue to seek medical intervention.

I have been taking steroids for 10 years due to my severe chronic asthma. Steroid have helped my lungs but have caused my body to deteriorate. When I am tapering off I get severe leg pains from my ankles to my hips. I can’t walk and have been hospitalized multiple times due to the pain. Because of how long I’ve been on them I have been diagnosed with Osteonecrosis and have had a hip replacement and need knee replacements bc my bone density is at an alarmingly low rate. Best of luck. Don’t let the doctors tell you that the pains can’t be a side affect of the steroid. I am living proof that even though they help they also cause many other issues.

Hi Darlene
Unfortunately, it is very common for prednisone to cause puffiness in your face.
It is also common for prednisone to cause sleeplessness.
I take 20 mg of prednisone a day for Lupus and Sarcoidosis. The Prednisone does help with my rash and joint pain, but the medication also causes puffiness in my face and hands. Between the puffiness and stiffness I no longer can wear rings on my fingers.
As for the pain in your knees I would definitely consult your doctor especially where it's waking you up in the middle of the night.
Feel better!
bestpup