Can prednisone cause depression and how long does it take to get out of your system?

that year which translated into what we refer to today as "Long Hauler's Syndrome". I could barely stay out of bed. I took long breaks at work, napping in my car. All tests negative, except sleep study which showed I miss stage 4 restorative sleep. I was with a close friend at the moment of death that same time and handled her funeral. Then we learned we were being relocated to Tampa from Philly. We had to leave 20 and 18 year old sons behind (they had own lives beginning and didn't want to move) and take two younger ones with us. Everyone's stress was through the roof. I even went to my husband's boss' home and begged him to keep us in PA, but whole IBM division, including him, had to leave. My doctor forbid me not to go, saying it would kill me. I was mostly in bed trying to pack up, then settle into new life here, missing my older boys. I slept 8 months and had to be on antidepressants in order to get on my feet to find a job and care for two younger children. That was 31 years ago. The constant fatigue alternating with irritability, anxiety, led to situational depression over feeling lousy all the time. The death of my mother 1984, followed by the birth of our 4th child preceded this move. Then crashes became more frequent.In 1999, I collapsed on last day of a week in Rome with my church choir and had to be helped out of the hotel, onto 2 planes back to Tampa. A dear friend escorted me all the way, making sure I was in my proper seat, feeding me. I came around on the 8 hour flight back home, but was in bed for a week until I could resume work. This happened every time I traveled 1000 miles back to Philly to visit children and grandchildren since. New doctors in Tampa diagnosed me with hypothyroidism and Fibromyalgia, and now Chonic Fatigue Syndrome. Thyroid replacement hormone and Prozac helped a little. Prozac caused irritability and I transitioned through several other antidepressants, none of which I could tolerate. Meeting new neighbors, church members, co-workers energized me somewhat. I managed. But the real culprit was a diminishing adrenal stress overload causing insufficiency over time to meet demands of life. I developed trouble standing up and walking. My new neurologist tested for Myasthenia Gravis, neuromuscular diseases, even sending me to the University of Miami and University of Florida for detailed testing. I had two muscle biopsies done. All showed small fiber neuropathy in both legs and small and motor neuropathy in both arms/hands. I was going deaf from moderate sensorineural hearing loss same in both ears. At the time, I was on 2.5 mg/day prednisone, weaning from emergency dose in 2009 of 20 mg/day to get me through my summer up north. Then 10 mg /day over 2010 summer trips to TX and PA. Weaning was slow, but working. Simultaneously, the neurologist and new rheumatologist found I had MGUS, Monoclonal Gammapathy of Undetermined Significance. It is an over proliferating protein in bone marrow that can lead seniors to blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. I was on 7.5 mg/day prednisone at that time. The hematologist said that was holding back it's progression and to stay on it. All subsequent annual tests for MGUS are negative. It is in remission. Prednisone miraculously got me back on my feet and handled this too. I was feeling normal and developing none of the problems associated with it: diabetes, cataracts, fat deposition, bad moods, depression., osteoporosis. This means I was in deficit cortisol production and prednisone filled my almost empty adrenals. Then the big validation was in Dec. 2015. I had an addisonian crisis from severe vomiting and diarrhea which knocked me unconscious. My son found me in the bathroom after work. An ambulance took me to ER where I was severely dehydrated and only about 2 hours from death. Prednisone was on the med list, and they investigated cortisol levels, finding I was bottomed out. My body couldn't handle the low state it was in . I spent 6 days on solumedrol, coming home on 40 mg of prednisone per day. It was 12/23, so I took myself Christmas shopping on 24th and collapsed again Christmas Day after church. Worst thing to do after a collapse is take on more activity! I weaned to 20, then 10 over last 6 years. I hope to get it down to 7.5 as the adrenals are signaled to make more on their own. I may never be able to get off it completely. It turned out have been developing over a lifetime. My immune system is compromised , so I am not permitted by my immunologist to get any flu or covid shot. They cannot make sufficient antibodies against these viruses. I am already taking Valacyclovir and prophylactic light antibiotics for a reactivation of old Epstein Barr virus that showed up around 2012. So you see my need for prednisone, and the importance of balancing the weaning process. I know I have to top it up when I slow down to feeling like a statue, have huge pain increase and depression. I lower it if I can't sleep or feel irritable. I take supplemental fast acting hydrocortisone to enable to me to out to doctor appointments or anywhere. It's like a rescue inhaler. It gives a four hour lift, then I turn back into Cinderella. The daily prednisone is the underlayment that lasts longer for routine activity. Friends and neighbors are amazed at the lift I get from prednisone and cortisone shots in joints, because they don't. Their adrenals are ok and extra steroids make them miserable. They get the humpback, moon face, bulging eyes, prednisone-type cataracts, osteoporosis, etc. - signs of Cushing's Disease. Those of you who are miserable on prednisone have normal cortisol, those who feel like normal again and want to clean your neighbor's houses on it are probably deficient. Only fasting ACTH and cortisol levels will reveal the level. Constant research helped me and my doctors figure the needs and consequences of it. Interestingly, I am developing non-prednisone old age cataracts since age 75, and mild osteopenia. I have the belly ring, though. Watching carbs reduces this. I wrote a book here, but to help you who read it to gain some insight into what prednisone can for to those deficient in cortisol vs. those who are not.

I have 11 of the16 symptoms for adrenal fatigue, 11!!! In the past my previous pulmo dr put me on 100mgs prednisone and taper down to 5 mgs which would take like 2 months. I did this a few times a yr since 2012.. No wonder my body loves prednisone. Prednisone, the medication I really hate/love at the same time. Asthma is scary, my chronic pain hurts like heck but depression is the worst of the three. Prednisone helps all three. Oh how I wish it didn't have so many negative side effects since it helps so much. One day at a time. It's not you, it's the steroids.

I mean I’m still moody, crying all of that but also my hands and feet feel like they are on fire! I can’t get any relief..I have used an entire bottle of the maximum strength Lidocaine cream in just over 24 hours on my hands and feet. Also I have been having some pretty dark thoughts. I feel like I’m going nuts.. I have been disoriented, hallucinating to the point that I don’t know what’s real at times. I’m having panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. It’s been awful and I’m not even half way done. I have called my doctor several times but he hasn’t called me back and I just feel so alone right now. I know this won’t be the last time I will have to take these “devil’s tic tacs” but I know it should be. Does anyone know of something else that could be prescribed that won’t make me feel like I’m going crazy? Has anything ever helped any of you the way the prednisone does? Just to clarify I’m not having suicidal thoughts at the moment so please don’t worry about that; I just don’t know how I’m going to get through the rest of this prescription in one piece. Any suggestions would be so greatly and gratefully appreciated.

It usually takes a traumatic incident or steroid for it to come to the surface. Well, I know this is my personal story but I’m sure somebody out there is battling he similar symptoms I had. Good luck to all.

Between childhood asthma, Atopic Dermatitis, and now Addison’s I’ve been on one form of cortisone or another. But the side effects have never been as severe as now, nor have I ever suffered from depression like I am now. That is why I feel the side effects are what trigger the depression, not the medication.