Methylprednisolone and Headaches: What Users Say

• All...
• October 25, 2019

Methylprednisolone for Allergic Rhinitis "I was diagnosed with extreme allergies. I had thick mucus stuck in my throat for days, and now water build-up in my ears causing vertigo issues, three various medications (Benadryl, Flonase, Zyrtec) weren't helping me. I was prescribed Medrol Dosepak so my body would stop overreacting to itself and get under control. After the first dose, I was feeling great. I also have extreme anxiety, but had ABSOLUTELY no issues on this medication. I think either it just didn't affect me like others. So, if you also have an anxiety disorder, STILL try it. Don't let yourself get worked up over a 'what if'. I had no sleeping issues at all. No stomach upsets. No headaches. Nothing-- just felt relief. I will use it again in a heartbeat, should my allergies ever struggle again to be in control."

• pai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 14, 2013

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "I had extreme fatigue with back pain, headache, and nausea for 3-4 weeks. I couldn't sleep but was tired all the time. After 2-3 days of taking the 6-day Dosepak, I felt 80% better. I was still a little fatigued, and my back still hurt some, but I truly felt 80% better. I am starting day 4 tomorrow and hope to continue on this path as life has been absolutely miserable the last few weeks."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 9, 2012

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "The first day/night was when I was the most jittery. The only side effects I got were jitters, slight headache, moodiness, and some dry skin. They get better as the days go on. My back pain has totally disappeared."

• kob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 12, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "I had a very bad experience with this drug methylprednisolone. I have a knee problem, patellofemoral pain syndrome, the amount of side effects that I had from using it is beyond imagination: headache, nausea, depression, confusion, restlessness, anxiety, eye pain, urinating a lot (like every 15 minutes) that I actually started to feel pain during urination, irregular heart rhythm (very fast), and more... I took six pills the first day, once in the morning, and on the day after, I quit. That was enough for me, I could not bear it anymore. It felt like poison to me and it didn’t even solve my knee problem. To my surprise, some of the side effects lasted for almost a year after I stopped taking it. But thank goodness I think it’s over by now. It was awful and I wish I knew better before I took it. I think that if it's not a life-threatening condition, there is no way that I'm using it in the future!!! And I wish they would find some substitute for this ASAP."

• Chr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 23, 2017

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "Took Medrol Dosepak like prescribed. Side effects are a shock, it gave me jitters and tremors. Made me feel like I was having a heart attack. Mild headaches and slight abdominal pain, back pain. This medicine is a total crock. It actually made the pain I had even worse with its own little twist, it gave my left arm chills and sweats, very clammy. Plus, there is a possibility of withdrawals. I'm 20, that's the last thing I need."

• Kwi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2016

For Inflammatory Conditions "This drug is AMAZING! After I took this medicine, I was back to myself! I was barely walking, my hands were throbbing and killing me, pain behind my knees, I have something that is attacking all my joints. My orthopedic doctor prescribed this to me until I could see an R.A. doctor."

• Meg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 27, 2017

For Asthma, acute "I got the flu and my lungs were so tight the doctor couldn't even hear my wheeze anymore, and I could barely breathe. I felt like I only had the use of the upper 1/4 of my lungs. I was told that I would have to go to the ER if I got any worse. I was worried about steroid side effects because I had a very bad experience with regular prednisone in the past (worst headache of my life and mood issues). Thankfully, the Medrol dose pack 4 mg worked really well for me with no side effects except maybe some sweating (could also be from the flu). On the first day, I took the 6 pills, 2 at a time, and it had an effect within the first hour. On the third day, I felt like my lung capacity was back to normal. It also helped with the muscle pain from coughing."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 22, 2018

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed this medicine for swollen tonsils, as I came up negative on the strep test. I was hesitant at first after reading reviews, but with our Europe trip in a week (at the time), I wanted to feel better, so I took it. The 6-day pack, tapering down the dosage. The first day and every time after, I had a headache and felt slightly nauseous. I was in a great mood as our trip was fast approaching. Fast forward to 2/3 days after the pack, my tonsils are swollen once again and ongoing headaches and terrible mood swings. I feel great sadness then anger. This is totally not my personality. It’s the day of our trip, and I’m sitting here holding tears back as I write this review. I hope this goes away quickly."

• Car...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was in a car accident. After taking Tramadol, Flexeril, and Naproxen every day while going to the chiropractor for 7 weeks, I still had pain in my upper and lower back, right shoulder blade, right arm, and wrist every day. I had 3 MRIs in week 9, which revealed 5 bulging/herniated discs with pinched nerves in my neck and 2 in my lower back. I was prescribed a Medrol Dose Pack (4 mg, 21 pills x 6 days) and had 70% pain relief afterward. Side effects from the Medrol Dose Pack I had were nausea, slight headaches, and trouble breathing (I never took the meds on an empty stomach and have no health problems, 31 years old). Four days after completing the dose pack, a majority of my pain reappeared again every day. I have now been prescribed aquatic therapy and IDD (cervical/lumbar mechanical traction)."

• Pws...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 9, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "Was prescribed methylprednisolone 21 pack after the dentist had pulled 3 previously abscessed teeth. I had absolutely zero pain or swelling after extractions. Never had to take the first pain pill, so I would say this steroid works super well for that. The downside for me is I have kept a severe headache for the 2 days I've been on it and haven't slept at all. I'm typing this review at 4:50 am because I've just laid awake in bed all night with the headache to boot. Took ibuprofen for hasn't stop yet. I NEED SLEEP PLEASE!"

• Cra...
• October 26, 2019

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "I have an autoimmune disorder, spinal stenosis, arthritis. I was given one injection in my back of Depo-Medrol, and it hasn't worked at all! Although I did have many of the side effects after the first week. I have been on the shot for 3 weeks now. My eyes are burning, blurred, I have headaches, sharp pain in my legs, sharp pain in my temples, and more."

• Anonymous
• August 15, 2009

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This medicine worked great! I could walk, jump, run, and do all the things any other teen could do. The negative parts of this medicine include weight gain, headaches, and other serious things like glaucoma (the reason I had to get off, so please get eye exams when on this). The hardest part is getting off after you've been on it for a while. I flared up to the point where I was back to square 1. Also, never miss a dose. Despite all of that, most people don't have those side effects, and it does seem to be effective even in the long run. It's also relatively cheap and definitely worth a try."

• Not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 2, 2020

For Allergic Rhinitis "I am at the end of day 3 of a 6-day pack of 4 mg methylprednisolone, and it's not doing anything. I still have headaches, can't hear, zoned out, always hot (and I'm always cold). Nose gunk is now thick and yellow. Why is it not working?"

• Ten...
• March 15, 2020

For Inflammatory Conditions "I got the methylprednisolone injection on the 30th of Jan, and I'm still having side effects. I had to go to the emergency room for severe heartburn. Now I'm having a terrible headache and the ringing in my ears. This is terrible. I will never take this drug anymore. Now I feel so weak."

• Seg...
• January 5, 2019

For Asthma, acute "I have taken this medicine for bronchitis as I was supposed to do. I do not like the side effects. Last night, I woke up five times drenched in sweat. I couldn't get enough water in me. For the past 2 days, my face is swollen and red. I've been shaking, confused, nauseous, with a bad headache. I do not like this medicine."

• jja...
• April 24, 2018

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "Depo-Medrol is a nightmare drug which makes my skin extremely dry, flaky, and peeling. This drug has messed up my bowels, causing extreme gas and bloating plus sticky stools, plus I have to use the bathroom all day some days, and my anus will itch. I suggested maybe I have worms, but three stool samples say I don't. I feel chronically tired and hurt everywhere, and now I have daily headaches. This drug makes me think slow and feel dumb. So depressing. Been to a few doctors, and all they care about is a colostomy, which I feel is not the antidote for these bad side effects I've had for well over a year. I complained about these side effects after I was first given these injections, and the doctor turned a blind eye to them and kept giving me Depo-Medrol for over a year. I wonder if the doctor is keeping me sick to make money off of me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 16, 2022

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "Catastrophic and fatal as my mom passed away after 5 days from receiving the second dose of injection of 40 mg of Depo-Medrol. She got most of the undesirable side effects: shortness of breath, vomiting, tunnel vision, severe headache, dizziness, convulsions, and they couldn’t help her in the ICU."

• Ema...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 21, 2020

Methylprednisolone for Inflammatory Conditions "I have a large herniated disc that I have been dealing with for a few months. One day after work, I had an extremely painful back spasm. After the spasm, I was in extreme pain and could barely walk. I was not able to sleep or get comfortable no matter what I did. My neurosurgeon prescribed the Medrol Dosepak. I am so glad I took it! I started to improve after the first day. It gave me so much relief that I could finally rest comfortably and was able to walk better each day. I had a very mild headache on the first day, but that was it!"

• Cry...
• August 10, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "Day two of methylprednisolone. Headaches, insomnia, dizziness, nausea, even taken with food. Pain ratio still at eight, hopefully will get to zero with massage and acupuncture. I have seen wonders with this medication, I just pray I am one of the wonders."

• Aut...
• November 21, 2020

For Inflammatory Conditions "I was prescribed a 6-day course of 4 mg methylprednisolone tablets to quicken the healing of an infection by the root of my tooth post-root canal. I took my first two pills around 12 p.m. By 1 p.m., I was experiencing unbearable pressure in my head, especially behind my eyes, sensitivity to light and swelling in both eyes, weakness, body pains, nausea, and a lot of anger/anxiety. After two hours, my eye/head pressure subsided around 80%, and my nausea was gone. I felt comfortable to try taking my second dose of two pills at 5 p.m. Within 30 minutes, all of my bad reaction symptoms came back tenfold, my left eye swelled badly and bulged. I had to go to emergency care. I was instructed to stop taking the pills and see an eye doctor if needed. It's been 16 hours since my last dose, and I feel like I've been hit by a truck. I suffer from chronic migraines, and I've never felt a headache like this. Thankfully, my eye swelling and bulging subsided, but I am still having light sensitivity and pain."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 13, 2020

For Asthma, acute "Some relief from methylprednisolone after 30 mins with a single injection. Breathing better, opened up lungs, feeling able to absorb oxygen again, thankfully. Now, 6 hours later, still not 100 percent. Feeling irritable and nervous, like I can’t shut down to go to sleep... annoyed with everyone. Still getting shortness of breath when being active (walking, tending to kids). Just wanted to add I did fall asleep, woke up at 2:00 am clenching my teeth, have a headache now. 12 hours after the injection, I’m back to being out of breath when sitting still... good luck."

• Dee...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 12, 2025

Methylprednisolone for Immunosuppression "My comment is about Solu-Medrol 1000 mg given via IV for 3 days while hospitalized for bilateral pulmonary embolisms. The goal, get my platelets up over 100 so that I can start my blood thinner again. My platelets slowly increased. I noticed an immediate horrible taste in my mouth. The next day, feeling like I had pneumonia. I couldn’t breathe and felt worse than I have ever in my life. The second and third days, nervous, several panic attacks, tachycardia. I had headaches, exhausted. My vision is still blurry after several days. My left eye is droopy. I had 3 chest X-rays, no pneumonia. I have never taken over 60 mg of prednisone. This bronchitis that I feel was a result of the immunosuppressant has really put me down and made me depressed. I’m at home on 60 mg daily, no energy."

• GER...
• November 8, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "43-year-old black female, 5'4, 138 lbs. Just completed a 6-day pack to treat inflammation C6 nerve. Helped subside sharp pain in left arm/shoulder. Just tingling. Couldn't sleep. Now have severe heartburn, nausea, and headache."

• kai...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 31, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "I took this for about 6 days, realized it wasn’t doing anything but making me feel weird and slightly dizzy. 2 days later, I have a full-blown anxiety attack (thought it was a heart attack). Also, extreme headaches that have gotten slightly better after a week, but I still get sharp pains in my head. Also, blurred vision and dizziness. I was prescribed some anxiety medicine, and it has helped for the anxiety part of things, but the other effects are very extreme. Hopefully, they go away, but I say the chance of the aftereffects are not worth the risk of taking this! I’m happy I found this thread and saw it wasn’t just me going through these things."

• Pix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 12, 2017

For Asthma, acute "I have asthma that gets worse in the winter. I have had a flare-up that has been bothering me for the past 4 months, since it got cold. This is the 2nd time the Methylprednisolone pack has been prescribed for me - I've taken prednisone in the past, but not the 'pack' - and both times I've had a raging headache. I don't know if it's this specific formulation, from this specific company, or what, because I've taken prednisone many times over the past 25 years, and never had a problem like this before. But both times it has been horrible, like my head was just going to explode! Within half an hour after taking the first dose, it was really bad. Not so bad on successive days, but then again, the dose tapers down and is less every day."