Prednisone and Headaches: What Users Say

• Cle...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 29, 2019

For Fibromyalgia "I have had fibro for 19 years, now on Butran opioid patch 15 mcg, Norco 7.5 three times a day, Nabutome 500 mg three times a day, plus Effexor and Lexapro. Pain gradually worsened to pain constant and fatigue. Started falling and now being tested for MS or myasthenia gravis due to neck lesion and inflammation. This is my review of the 3-day high dose IVMP (IV methylprednisolone) 1000 mg DAILY, I haven't felt this good in 10 years with my fibromyalgia. Pain is so improved, you forget how bad you really do feel until the pain clears. I don't know what the future holds, but steroids have to sit in there somewhere. Slight headache and a bit of insomnia so far."

• Anonymous
• August 27, 2009

For Allergic Reactions "I have been taking this medicine for 7 days now. It cleared up my skin rash related to an allergic reaction fairly quickly. It's worked great. The only con for me was a severe headache, but cold ice packs helped with that. Drink lots of fluids!"

• Chi...
• September 26, 2017

For Fibromyalgia "I'm on day four with two 10 mg tablets twice daily, and I feel so good! I have fibromyalgia and a bulging disk. I cannot believe how much better I feel. I am looking so forward to meeting with my doctor in 14 days to see what the next step will be. Side effects are minimal: slight headache, heart pounds a bit, but I can move pretty freely. I'll take the bad over the extreme pain any day."

• Emm...
• February 12, 2018

For Fibromyalgia "After almost 2 months, oversleeping, nausea, pain in all and any random joints, chest, throat, jaw, ear, headaches and pains, vertigo, brain fog, affected speech, heavy weak limbs, and all the rest... my first steroid tablet helped me within 30 minutes. It helped all day long. I have had a day off from my cumbersome symptoms with no side effects so far. Can't wait for tomorrow."

• Mam...
• August 3, 2016

For Inflammatory Conditions "I have been taking prednisone for a rare condition, Tolosa-Hunt Syndrome. When I was diagnosed, I had severe double vision (both eyes were affected). I also had fatigue and dizziness. And, did I mention the headaches? I have been on prednisone for 2.3 years. I have gotten down to 5 mg/0 mg on alternating days only to relapse both times. With the right diet and exercise program, most of the physical side effects of the prednisone, if it is low dose, can be eliminated. In the last year, I have dropped 32 lbs and look damn good for a 42-year-old woman. The downside is that I have not been able to get off of the meds. The upside is that it helps me live a normal life. I can't live with horrible headaches and double vision."

• xGe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 18, 2017

For Asthma "I've just been given this for my asthma as I'm struggling to breathe. So far, my nose and head hurt and don't feel like it is working. I'm only on my 2nd dose, and every review so far I've read says it works within a few hours. I can't tell if I'm having a reaction to it or not, but it definitely isn't working. I can't walk from my room to my bathroom without keeling over and not being able to breathe."

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "I started taking prednisone for ptosis (droopy eyelid). It’s not helping that much, but it sure did clean up some extremely painful dermatitis on my hands! The dermatitis was so bad that I couldn’t even hold eating utensils! Prescription creams did not work. I, unfortunately, though, am having a lot of side effects from the prednisone: headaches, moon face, agitation, acne, and quite a few others. My doctor may end up taking me off of it when I see him next month. I LOVE the fact that it cleared up my hands, though. It has even made my feet softer. I am going to see if we can just lower the dose."

• Jan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 14, 2019

For Cluster Headaches "This drug, prednisone, is like a miracle for me. No headaches, feel 10 years younger. I just wish I could take it on a regular basis because when I'm down to one a day, headaches return and tired and irritable."

• Hat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 18, 2016

For Ulcerative Colitis "50 yr old male/23 years with disease - currently taking 30 mg of prednisone, weaning from 60. 2nd time since Nov 15. Also use Mesalamine enema, Canasa suppository, and Remicade every 6 weeks by infusion. I am the lucky person, I am guessing, that did not have the increased appetite, moon face, or roid rage. My sex drive is extremely low, and I have dry eye syndrome, headache, acne, dizziness."

• Aan...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 18, 2020

For Asthma "I was prescribed prednisone after the doctor could hear wheezing in my lower left side of my lung. I also had a headache, sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, fatigue, and fever. I was prescribed 50 mg. After taking it, I felt great, but then when I'd get up or talk, I'd literally become breathless. Speaking in short sentences, using my muscles to keep myself breathing, and had coughing fits to remove phlegm from the back of my throat. My pulse oximeter displayed 97% and would sometimes drop to 90%, and that's when I'd feel more anxious. Usually I'm 98-100 with asthma and chronic bronchitis. I phoned the doctor, and he told me tomorrow to cut the prednisone in half because the dose might be too high."

• Jer...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 12, 2017

For Cluster Headaches "I experienced my first cluster headache 27 years ago. It still took me moving to Atlanta and 15 years to find a neurologist that actually helped me. An Imitrex shot works for the very short term, but that's NOT the solution, as we all know. My neurologist put me on a preventative dose of Verapamil and Topomax (that means all the time). When the cycle starts, I take 60 mg Prednisone for 5 days, 40 mg for 4 days, and 20 mg for 4 days. As soon as I begin the Prednisone, my HA's stop, however, since we can't stay on it forever, when I get down to 20 mg, I start medication Cafergot and take it late afternoon. If I don't do this, headaches will pop right back up! *NOTE - Can't take Imitrex within 24 hrs of Cafergot. I was nervous but didn't need it. In cycle now, also diagnosed with MS in 2015."

• Dis...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 11, 2014

For Adrenocortical Insufficiency "I was given 1 mg for low cortisol. Took it first day OK. Second day in absolute rage all day, plus agitated and literally ready to go into a mental home. Carried on for 2.5 weeks, on last day woke up with a headache, like my head was splitting open. Saturday, so set off to the hospital. Thought I don't know how to get there. Rage and the headache are side effects of prednisone. Each time I take a dose of steroids, a bone spur on another joint."

• Anonymous
• October 16, 2021

For Skin Rash "I don’t even know what caused my rash. My doctor thinks I had an allergic reaction to some lotion or food, but it seemed to be symmetrical on my underarm area, upper back and butt, outer thighs, and calves. It felt so good to scratch, but the itch at night was horrible, I used ice bottles to rub. The prednisone worked quickly, and I also was prescribed an itch cream and antibiotics just in case. I also took Benadryl as needed. After completing meds, I was a little itchy on my lower back around my spine and stomach, maybe now it’s just dry skin. Hopefully my body will take over and complete the healing. I give prednisone a 9 out of 10. Moderate side effects, a small amount of head pressure, and I ate a little more than normal."

• Ang...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 30, 2019

For Inflammatory Conditions "For only 10 days, I was prescribed prednisone. Prednisone definitely helped my illness and made me feel better, but after a couple of days, I noticed small red bumps, headaches, and frequent urination. Those bumps turned to bruises, eventually spreading, becoming bigger bruises, to lumps, to swollen areas and points in my legs I could feel when I walk. After the 10th day, I had such bad pain in my legs I could barely sit or stand. By the time I got home from work, my ankles and legs were so bad I couldn’t walk. I’m in bed right now hoping the swelling will go down."

• Ktt...
• May 13, 2017

For Allergic Rhinitis "DO NOT TAKE THIS. I was prescribed prednisone 5 mg for 8 days, taking 8 the first day, 7 the second, 6 the third, and so on. Even with being tapered off the medication, I had severe withdrawal. The first few days after, I felt okay, I just had a headache. Then, I was so sick I could not move from bed for a full 24 hours. I was nauseous, had heartburn, an increased bpm, dizzy, and incredibly weak. It has been a few days since I started to feel bad, and nothing has improved. While everyone's reaction is different, I strongly recommend you do not take this medication unless absolutely necessary."

• NY_...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 25, 2021

For Allergic Reactions "Taking prednisone for lupus flare. Have taken it many times before this. While it's calming the flare a bit, this is the first time I've had seriously weird side effects. Ovary pains, severe headaches, and leg aches with my third dose @30 mgs. I wonder if the ingredients are changed or if my body is just rejecting it? Asked my doc, she is still telling me to stay on, but I don't agree as the pain is not bearable. I guess a new rheumy might be in order. FWIW."

• The...
• February 5, 2021

For Cluster Headaches "I’m having mixed results from prednisone. It does stop my cluster headaches after a couple of days and works for the week that it’s prescribed. But, on coming off the drug, I get a different kind of headache: a dull ache at the back of my skull that’s equally resistant to transitional painkillers as cluster headaches (CH), marginally less painful but very annoying as it can last all day. Would like to know whether it may be a withdrawal pain, and whether it can be safe to stay on a low dose of prednisone long-term."

• Bog...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 3, 2014

For Cluster Headaches "Taking the medicine 60 mg (reducing by 5 mg per day over 1 week) worked until the dosage got down to 40 mg, then the headaches came back, and the medicine was not effective at all. I am now on my second week of the same approach from my doctor and am writing this at 04:00. I woke up at 02:00 and have not been able to sleep since. But, only 'normal' headaches so far."

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 12, 2022

For Skin Rash "I had a little red spot on my chest. I noticed it Thursday night. By Friday, my entire chest and both my arms were covered in burning, itching, tingling hives. I took a lot of Benadryl and hydrocortisone, which did absolutely nothing. I went to the doctor today (Monday) at 8 a.m. He said it was a reaction to a medication. But I don't take any medication. He looked at me pointedly and said it looked like a reaction to something I inhaled. I was extra annoyed because I do not do drugs, I don't drink, and I don't smoke or 'inhale' anything. Finally, he said he didn't know why I had a rash and prescribed 5 mg of prednisone to be taken as a 'pack.' Took 6 today (as prescribed, tomorrow 5, and so on). Now I have a terrible headache and my rash is somehow worse. It doesn’t itch as bad, but it's spreading to my neck, and it still burns like the dickens. I'm going to get a second opinion tomorrow. So far, it's done zilch, and today was the highest dosage. Will update if by some miracle it works tomorrow."

• tug...
• May 5, 2021

For Aspiration Pneumonia "Always helps with the breathing, can't stand the attitude issues that go along with it and the headaches. Recently, the doctor added IV dexamethasone, and that was ridiculous. I don't believe he researched any drug interactions in my file. No more steroids, period."

• Tem...
• February 9, 2011

"I was prescribed prednisone 20 mg for a swollen uvula. I was supposed to take it for 4 days, however, on the 3rd day, I got a terrible pain in my head and did not take the medicine for the day. The swelling in my uvula is gone, however, for the past 20 hours, I am still experiencing the weird pain in my head when I get up, sit down, or lay down."

• Bea...
• April 25, 2017

For Inflammatory Conditions "I had a throbbing pain in my right arm for a day and a half after I started taking this. Very uncomfortable!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 21, 2020

For Cluster Headaches "I always get headaches after a dose of prednisone. I like that it helps my breathing, but then I suffer from headaches later."