prednisone and sleeplessness

[Joan]

After 8 days of 60 mg. of Prednisone, I've started to taper off, but I'm
having a terrible time sleeping. Only 1 hour, 15 minutes last night.
None of the normal things work. Any advice?
Thanks,
Joan

[Stretch]

I have the same side effect when I take Prednisone. Nothing helped. So I
just read alot of books and magazines, cleaned my house, and baked goodies.
There's nothing else to do at 3 AM, is there? About 3 days after I was off
the Prednisone, my system started going back to normal. Hope this helps
you.

Joan <Joan_...@ncsu.edu> wrote in message
news:38DA1FB5...@ncsu.edu...

[Jo Firey]

I know this isn't sound medical advice, but I would suggest that
you get as much done as possible while you are on the
steroid "high", cause you are going to crash and burn when you
taper off. You will get plenty of sleep then.

If (and this is probably the case or you wouldn't be taking that
much prednisone) you are too ill to use the wakefulness, read,
go online, do needlework watch TV etc. I've been there and it
is miserable. I don't know how many nights I've spent in the
hospital on IV solumedrol. Totally exhausted, too ill to move,
and unable to close my eyes. Pretty much anything that will
help you sleep will make the asthma worse too. I've made more
than one afghan that way.

Unfortunately my favorite pastime is creating recipes and
planning menus while the dose is high. I never gain
weight "while" taking prednisone. It sends my metabolism thru
the roof. After is the problem. The metabolism crashes before
the appetite.

Hang in there. You will probably start sleeping again at about
20mg.

I just started a dose pack so I'll probably be online at 3am

Jo An Firey
jof...@my-deja.com
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[sweetie]

You should talk to your doctor about this because there is
something they can give you to help you relax. I have been on
higher doses than 60 mg and I have not had any problems sleeping
I usually get sleeplessness after receiving theophyilline thru
the IV and that usually only lasts one night. I let my doctor
know what is going on and he gives me something. As you know
sleep is very important to people with chronic disease. I take
Ambien (low dose) I have never had a problem with this med and
my asthma.

[Allan Roberts]

I go through the same thing every time I'm on a burst of pred (I could
probably recite the scripts to every late-night infomercial). Sometimes
(unfortunately rarely) a long, hot bath will allow some sleep. Now that I'm
used to this happening, I line up chores to do and books to catch up on,
rather than getting so frustrated. A while after you end your burst, you'll
start crashing and catch up. It just goes with the territory for many of us
who take pred. (also mood swings, constipation, aches during withdrawal,
and oh, yes--breathing).
Good Luck.

[Joan Reimert]

I am also on the dreaded Prednisone at this time, and I slept a grand total
of 1 1/2 hours last night. I am so glad to hear from others that this isn't
unusual. I hibernate while on it as I am too embarassed to go out in public
with my face the color of a tomato. Does this happen to others?

Another Joan
"Jo Firey" <jofirey...@my-deja.com.invalid> wrote in message
news:061f6698...@usw-ex0103-024.remarq.com...

> I know this isn't sound medical advice, but I would suggest that
> you get as much done as possible while you are on the
> steroid "high", cause you are going to crash and burn when you
> taper off. You will get plenty of sleep then.
>
> If (and this is probably the case or you wouldn't be taking that
> much prednisone) you are too ill to use the wakefulness, read,
> go online, do needlework watch TV etc. I've been there and it
> is miserable. I don't know how many nights I've spent in the
> hospital on IV solumedrol. Totally exhausted, too ill to move,
> and unable to close my eyes. Pretty much anything that will
> help you sleep will make the asthma worse too. I've made more
> than one afghan that way.
>
> Unfortunately my favorite pastime is creating recipes and
> planning menus while the dose is high. I never gain
> weight "while" taking prednisone. It sends my metabolism thru
> the roof. After is the problem. The metabolism crashes before
> the appetite.
>
> Hang in there. You will probably start sleeping again at about
> 20mg.
>
> I just started a dose pack so I'll probably be online at 3am
>
>
> Jo An Firey
> jof...@my-deja.com

[Joan]

Prednisone helps me lose the red rash that has been my constant companion for
the last 3 1/2 years. I'm tapering off now and noticed the redness is back this
morning.
Joan

[KiSsMeCuTiEz]

i just recently got out of the hospital where i was on iv solumedrol and had
been on high doses of prednisone for weeks before. i am still taking the
prednisone. i spoke with my doctor. because with the restlessness, i felt that
not being able to sleep was defeating the purpose of trying to get better. He
gave me a prescription for ambien < 10 mg>. i only use it when i am extremely
restless, but it really helps and i haven't had any problems with it
interacting with my asthma.
another thing i have tried is taking my prednisone first thing in the
morning. running with the energy all day, then a nice hot cup of tea and a bath
right before bed.. this is about a 50 50 ! good luck

[Kiwi Carlisle]

> another thing i have tried is taking my prednisone first thing in the
> morning. running with the energy all day, then a nice hot cup of tea
and a bath
> right before bed.. this is about a 50 50 ! good luck
>

That's pretty much what I do, though it's usually an herbal tea
like Sleepytime, since I don't have a ragweed allergy and chamomile
won't set me off. I'd also watch your diet. If you're craving
certain foods while at a high level, eat 'em. I find I need
frequent small carb-rich meals while taking prednisone. The
Atkins Diet would KILL me!

Also, Joan, my sympathies on that high dose you're on. I've never
taken 60 for more than 3 days running. My doc usually has me
taper by 5 mg every day unless I'm really not responding.
I know some folks think the more constant dose is better, but
I've done both, and the tapered burst works best for me!

--
Kiwi Carlisle
kiwi...@my-deja.com

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[DEmill9490]

hi,
Unfortunately, I have the same problems whenever I'm on prednisone - I
have been
hospitablized several times & given IV solu-medrol injections as high as 120
mg. every 6 to 8 hours. Its like clockwork - within 30 minutes of the
injection - I feel as though I'm starving - craving something sweet or salty.
(all the "good" things that we don't need) Once I'm released, my doctor
usually prescribes 60 - 80 mg daily - depending on my symtoms, I try to taper
downward. Currently after being on prednisone for more than a year, I'm down
to 10 mg every other day, however, with the pollen season beginning, my
nebulizer treatments are increasing. My medications also include theo-dur,
accolate, prevacid,flovent 2 puffs x 4, serevent 2 puffs, prednisone, valium.
It seems to be a never-ending circle of side effects.In addition to being
unable to sleep, I have mood swings, that "wonderful" red rash on my chin &
neck, facial flushing, hot flashes etc.
I try to eat healthy - low fat,watch my sodium, we eat lots of chicken,
turkey,
fish such as salmon, swordfish, tuna - it just doesn't seem to matter - from my
lips to my hips. Very frustrating at times!! I know exercise is the key but
that is difficult if you can't breathe.......................

Deborah