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What Are The Side Effects Of Prednisone?

Posted on Mon, 23 Nov 2015

Question: Hi my name is Maggie and I have a serious questions to ask you. I had a stroke 7 weeks ago and 4 weeks later I came across with a bad cough and took a cough medicine which mad my throat swell. I called an ambulance and they gave me Benadryl it helped and the swelling went down but the ER prescribed me Prednisone 20mg for 4 days twice a day. I made the mistake of not looking into the side effects of this medication. I feel worst than ever. The side effects is killing me I have tight neck and throat which makes it worst to swallow and tingling and numbness in my left side also, chills like if I have a fever. I have Imsomnia. Nevertheless the medication didn't helped it make it worst. My stroke was improving in the course of 4 weeks until I came across the allergy reaction. How long will the side effects last in my system? Is there a way to flush and/or eliminate Prednisone out of my system? Please help really desperate in healing my condition.

I heard that taking vitamin D3 and sunlight for 2 weeks will help eliminate/flush out the effect of Prednisone. Please advise?

Thank you,
Maggie

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Treatment needed.

Detailed Answer:
Hello Maggie and thanks for using HCM.

I have read your question and understand your concerns.

First, prednisone or any other steroids shouldn't be stopped cold turkey, always there's need to taper them.

Insomnia as a side effect of prednisone use could be treated with some of antidepressive drugs ( fluoxetine ) eg.

Vitamin D and sunlight help prevent and treat the osteoporosis that may be caused by prednisone use.

Four weeks is a relatively long time and prednisone should be outside your system by now, insomnia probably is not caused anymore by prednisone, it is probably a residual side effect, so it needs to be treated.

Seems that initial prednisone use side effects caused you a sort of anxiety disorder too.

You should discuss with your primary care Doctor about treatment ( fluoxetine eg.), sine drugs used to treat this condition are mainly prescription drugs.

Hope you found the answer helpful.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (26 minutes later)

Hi Dr. Spaho,

I didn't know about it the doctor who prescribed the Prednisone didn't plan the treatment to be tampered down. Another question wasn't answered in the first email. Why my throat and neck feels tight? This is the reason why I can't sleep. There are days that it doesnt bother me and sleep like a baby. I am really frustrated about this. What can I do to eliminate and/flush out Prednisone out of system completely? Please advise.

Please help me I really need to flush it out completely so I can recover from my Stroke. I was recouperating well until the 4th week of my stroke.

Thanks,
Maggie

Answered by Dr. Dr. Erion Spaho (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Two possible explanations of your symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back Maggie.

Your throat feels tight probably for two reasons:

1. feeling of tightness in throat, or difficulty swallowing is one of the possible side effects of prednisone use.

2. prednisone use can cause also anxiety and stress disorder, so this throat tightness may be feature of mood disturbances.

Prednisone has a short half-life so, after three weeks it shouldn't be in your system anymore.

Side effects of prednisone use, or sudden stopping of prednisone instead, are reported to last from a couple of weeks to few months.

I believe that treatment of insomnia for a short period of time, will result in overall improvement.

Hope I helped you.

Greetings.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj