Prednisone and Moon Face: What Users Say

• RAm...
• November 6, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "This medication is slowly but surely bringing me back to life. I've been going through a flare for about 5 months, with no resolve. Even tried depo medrol - intramuscular shot. Which did nothing. I see reviews of people advising caution and saying you should NEVER take this drug. But what do you do if you're a 29-year-old mom of 3 young children? Who works full time? Who can barely get out of bed? I will happily take moon face, happily meal plan to control weight gain, happily lose a little sleep. I will happily deal with these things in order to STAND without falling over, rock my baby to sleep without agonizing shoulder pain, make my children dinner and work! For me, the benefits outweigh the risks! Do what is right for you!"

• Per...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 28, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I developed RA after my appendix burst 7 years ago. Out of the 4 Rheumatologists I have had, none have seen a case as aggressive as mine. Within 2 years I was completely bedridden and under the care of others. While the side effects are horrible (no sleep, infections, hair falling out, weight gain and moon face), I continue to ask for it in high doses. I don't expect to live much longer, but I would rather live where my pain is manageable with pain meds than in the fetal position curled up in my bed crying 24/7. This disease is the worst."

• Nin...
• April 9, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA and had the opinion and experimentation of drugs from 6 different doctors, and none worked. Until one day, my 7th doctor prescribed prednisolone (prednisone). Less than 24 hours after taking it, I felt so much better. I began to do things on my own again, like hold a teacup, stand, or walk faster than I had in almost 2 years. The pain I felt every night and woke with every morning was now manageable. The moon face and weight gain were small prices to pay to be able to comb my own hair. I've weaned off from 20 mg to 2.5 mg per day, and that was great. But after a flare, I was forced to up my dosage again. Learning how to manage it with prednisone helps. Side effects of long-term use is important, but having the ability to live a normal life while having RA is a gift. Do what works for you."

• Kok...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Severe R.A. as a side effect from Keytruda (cancer drug) Mostly in my fingers, hands, wrists, and shoulders. So bad I could hardly get out of bed until I was given prednisone. In my case, 20 mg/day is the magic number. It’s amazing to see how fast the pain and stiffness returned after only a few days of trying to reduce my daily dose to 15 mg. After 10-12 weeks on 20 mg/day, I have gained 15 pounds and have both the “moon face” and abdominal weight gain. But, prior to the prednisone, the pain was SO BAD it was almost suicidal! So I’ll take the side effects as long as I can live a productive, helpful life. I am VERY thankful that this drug exists!!!!"

• Sil...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have a love/hate relationship with prednisone. It really helps when you need it. In fact, sometimes, it's the ONLY thing that helps. Over 20 years ago, I was on it for my UC. I never gained weight on it. I did get the cute moon face, though. Recently, I was diagnosed with another autoimmune disease. NSAIDs didn't do anything to alleviate my pain. I'm on sulfasalazine and methotrexate. We started with 40 mg prednisone and have tapered to 10 right now. NEVER get off prednisone cold turkey (if you've been on it for a while), your adrenals will pay. You have to taper off. However, as I taper off, my pain is coming back. It has a lot of side effects. I already have osteopenia from the last time."

• Lif...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "I am 45 years old and have had one of the most acute cases of bronchial asthma in the world. I have been prescribed prednisone since I was a little girl. This is how prednisone works: If you take a high dose and taper over about a week, you should feel relief from just about any pain caused by inflammation, rash, and asthma by day two. For that, nothing works better. If you have to take prednisone for a longer period of time, you'll suffer from huge weight gain, acne, moon face, body aches, hyperactivity, sleeplessness, and severe moodiness. I was just released from a four-week stay in ICU for asthma and double pneumonia on 125 mg every four hours. I gained 60 lbs and my face looked like Miss Piggy. They had to treat the prednisone symptoms!"

• UC ...
• August 19, 2018

For Ulcerative Colitis, Active "This is the drug I love to hate. While this drug works wonders at high doses to kick your colon back into working order, the side effects are what make it the worst. If you’re on too high of a dose for too long, you’ll develop moon face. Good luck getting rid of that because it takes months. If you’re on too low of a dose, you’re miserable and will be begging your doctor to put you on a higher dose. You’ll almost always have sleeping issues: not being able to fall asleep, staying asleep, waking up in the middle of the night constantly, etc., so be prepared with melatonin or some type of natural sleep aid. If you’re on a high enough dose, you’ll also be able to eat double your normal amount of calories, so learn to practice portion control and self-control because you’ll also have cravings for anything and everything at any time of day. Also, begin taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. If you are on this drug long enough, more than 3 months, you will lose bone mass."

• tob...
• July 16, 2015

For Inflammatory Conditions "I took this for temporal arteritis. I gained 70 lbs., developed moon face, swollen legs and arms. I was unable to sleep at night and was so sleepy during the day, I fell asleep anywhere. Developed cataracts, had them removed, but I still have blurry vision and have not been able to drive in 1.5 years. Hair is thin and very dry skin. Have a hard time walking due to vision and weakness."

• 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."

• day...
• December 6, 2009

For Lupus "I was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus after about 3 months of tests and suffering at the age of 14. Not long after that, I had a terrible episode and had to be hospitalized. I was put on 40 mg. The side effects are horrible. I got the 'chipmunk cheeks' or 'moon face,' I lost a lot of hair, I had extra hair in weird places, I had terrible insomnia, and I had a lot of water retention. People that I knew didn't recognize me. I was then lowered too quickly off prednisone and got an even worse episode. I was put on 100 mg, and it was horrible! But prednisone did save my life. I have long-term effects like osteopenia, lowered immunity, and stomach problems. I am now 34, been on it 20 years! Saved my life. There were no other options when they put you on prednisone."

• Jen...
• April 1, 2011

For Lupus "Immediately made me feel like a new person! Helped me walk 'normal' again and go down stairs without horrible pain. Made my hands and feet swelling improve greatly. My hands were squishy, my feet were so swollen I couldn't fit in my shoes, and my toes looked like little sausages. Like any other medication, there were side effects, of course: moon face, weight gain, hair loss, and horrible taste, but I would do it all over again because it helped me so much with pain, swelling and is continuing to help me live normal. Yay for prednisone."

• AIH...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 21, 2020

For Inflammatory Conditions "I took prednisone 20 mg for 3 years for autoimmune hepatitis, and it definitely helped bring down my AST/ALT. I even saw regression of cirrhosis (by fibroscan). Side effects included increased appetite, weight gain (20 lb max), moon face, hair started growing curly instead of straight, more severe infections (especially GI), and trouble regulating emotions. I didn't complain though, as I knew it was keeping me alive!"

• MAR...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 1, 2013

For Inflammatory Bowel Disease "I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 1976. Since my diagnosis, I have had two resections of bowel. The last one in 1986, prednisone has been my only source of relief in the flare-up since then. My doctors are reluctant to give it to me anymore because of my weight (I have always been large) and I am diabetic. I had the moon face, but the relief it brought was worth it, and you can fight the hunger. I am facing a suture at this time with a flare-up, it was difficult to convince my doctor to allow me to have prednisone short term to get through this flare-up. They say they have a new medicine they recommend, but I find it very expensive with insurance, it's called budesonide. It is supposed to have fewer side effects."

• Pro...
• August 22, 2012

For Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia "Though the prednisone is working so far for the anemia, the side effects are bad. Extreme retention of fluids, high blood pressure, moon face, little sleep, and indigestion. Now taking more pills to combat the side effects of this medicine."

• Lup...
• November 2, 2021

For Inflammatory Conditions "Having lupus has given me a love/dislike relationship with prednisone. Being in a flare now, I love it (moon face and all). What I don't like is the dreaded taper, but that's life with prednisone. I have had 4 flares, and let me say prednisone is my lifesaver."

• not...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "I had my first UC flare at the end of March, lost 40 lbs, and was bleeding so badly I was hospitalized on IV prednisone for 7 days. My symptoms remained. I've been on 40 mg prednisone for 4 weeks now together with Lialda. I finally stopped bleeding 2 weeks ago, but it has not been a fast process, a wonder drug for me. My doc took me off Lialda because she is not convinced it is working. I am still on 40 mg prednisone and the pain is still there, not as severe though, and I go 3-5 times a day and about the same at night. Side effects: weight gain on belly and moon face, peeling skin, neck and leg pain, heart palpitations, and a hard time sleeping."

• Cry...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 17, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "Brought my severe pancolitis into remission. Had to have 40 mg through the vein, then moved on to tablets to wean off. Prednisone saved my life but also has the worst side effects I have ever experienced. Use with caution and only in dire circumstances. Side effects for me included a massive moon face (this facial swelling goes down after you start reducing the dose), face and body acne, severe and shocking anxiety and depression, paranoia and psychosis, joint pain, hot flushes, trouble sleeping, and tons of nervous energy. It is worse the higher the dose. Wean off slowly. Withdrawal symptoms are just as bad, if not worse."

• Rub...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 17, 2020

For Lupus "So I had SLE when I was 18 years old, which was back in January 2018. Ever since that day, I started eating prednisolone at a dose of 60 mg. It did help, however, I hated the side effects. It ruined my teenage years. I had stretch marks, moon face, buffalo hump, and gained over 23 pounds. So, I became obese just like that. I really hated the first few months of prednisolone, not to mention I had chubby cheeks and my face looked like it got beat up. My cheeks were so big that it made my eyes and nose seem smaller. After 6 months, my doc slowly started reducing the dose, and now it’s been a year since I’ve been eating prednisolone at a dose of 10 mg. I mean, I’m glad that the side effects will gradually disappear, but I wouldn’t want to experience this nightmare ever again."

• Kii...
• January 8, 2017

For Lupus "It ruined my teenage years. I got stretch marks, I gained weight, moon face. I didn't recognize myself anymore. I hope I never, ever take this drug again!!! I hope my moon face goes away and I look like the person I was before..."

• kea...
• February 17, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "I would rate this drug 10/10 only for the fact that the beneficial effects wear off too quickly when the course finishes (usually a reducing six-week course for me). The impact initially is dramatic, with nearly all symptoms disappearing in 2 to 4 days. Wonder drug from this perspective. Since I'm not prescribed for longer than six weeks during major flare-ups, I'm not sure of what the side effects with higher doses or longer treatment are like, but I do remember having large doses in the hospital when first diagnosed 16 years ago and losing hair, moon face, etc."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2022

For Eczema "I was given Prednisone for 10 days, and while I was on it, my skin was a dream. I literally had no rash and no itch. It was wonderful. The day after my last pill, my skin returned to its normal horrible self. Now my skin is reacting to everything I put on it, even creams I have used for years. My face is also swollen (moon face) from Prednisone. Hopefully, that subsides soon. For me, Prednisone is only good while you are actually taking it, and unfortunately, you cannot take it for long periods."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2015

"This is the most effective drug, but also the most physically and mentally deteriorating drug. I experienced acne, moon face, hair loss, depression, anxiety, increased appetite, but no weight gain. I recommend this but think of the side effects before you take it."

• Ash...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 28, 2021

For Asthma "I use prednisone twice a year. Spring and winter. I get a cold, and then I end up with a chest infection. My combined inhaler, Fostair, helps briefly, but the short burst steroid treatment usually works. I usually take 40 mg for 5 days, see if it makes a difference. If not, I then take a second dosage, another 40 mg for 5 days, which usually does the trick. I do get side effects like jittery, insomnia if taken in the evening, and I get a bit wired, where I talk a lot and cannot sit still. Moon face with lots of water retention, and the last time I ended up with a UTI, but that's because I went into a paddling pool on my last day of taking back-to-back steroid treatment."