Prednisone & Sinusitis Questions - Sinus Problems Message Board

danilee · 01-23-2005, 08:27 PM

Hi I am wondering if anyone has experienced the negative effects of Prednisone? I was on it for 8 days started at 40 mg a day for 3 days then 20 mg a day for 3 days then 10 mg a day for 2 days. On the 4th day, I felt horrible, like vice grips on my head and anxious. Now after being off of the drug for 5 days I still get this weird feeling in my head, like a tingle or tickle in my brain? I went to the ER for the head pressure they did a cat scan and found I have a sinus infection, but my sinuses are pretty OK feeling. Anyways they gave me augmentin and im taking that now. Anyone know why I get these weird feelings in my head? They make me extremely irritable and scared, like im going nuts? It sounds crazy. The weird head feelings last anywhere from a few minutes to a half hour, I usually lay down and it helps. Could this be from my sinuses? or is this a withdrawal feeling? HELP PLEASE, I feel like im going to go crazy when this tingle/tickle/itchy feeling happens in my head.

Thank you

hoffta · 01-24-2005, 06:14 AM

Prednisone effects most people feel like this, unfortunately. When I first started taking it I did not notice the symptoms, but as I had to take it for more and more sinus infections I noticed my personality changed a bit, especially as I was coming off of it. You are not alone.

Halls · 01-24-2005, 07:24 AM

Yes, I'm sure the Prednisone caused this. The only thing I can say is that over time it will go away. Not much help, sorry but Prednisone is an evil drug with weird side effects! Sometimes people do need it, I have taken it several times myself. But if you can avoid it I would!

Halls

chigs489 · 01-24-2005, 01:20 PM

Prednisone is a systemic steroid, and an immunosuppressant. It should only be used in extreme circumstances, in which inflammation has gotten out-of-control.

It has many, many, side effects. Generally it isn't dangerous, but it can be if taken with other drugs, such as floroquinolone antibiotics (Cipro, Avelox, Levaquin, etc.)

The problem with Prednisone, is that your sinuses feel great when you are on it, but the minute you stop the medicationm, symptoms come back.

A much, much, better solution is daily sinus irrigation using a machine, immunotherapy to combat allergies, and Chlor-Tremiton, which is a powerful anti-histamine. But for the time being, finsih the Prednisone, because you can't stop it abruptly.

The Inquirer · 01-24-2005, 01:57 PM

Hi,

Sorry you're feeling so lousy. Everything the others have said is true. However, I am one of those few people who feels fantastic while on Prednisone or Methylprednisolone. I also take it for sinus problems. I am on it far too often than I should be, as it is bad for your bones and all the other things the others have mentioned, but I could not live without it! I'll be having sinus surgery soon, so hopefully I won't be needing it after that. I do happen to have an autoimmune condition, so that might explain why the steroids help me so much.

Anyway, it might have been a good idea for your doctor to have weaned you down to the 5 mg tablets for a few days, rather than stopping with the 10's. You can always ask about this if you are forced to take the steroids again.

Hope you feel better...

Inq