Hi there!
I wondered if some of you experienced a difference in the side-effects of Prednisone taken orally in tablets, or getting it in a high dose iv.

I've experienced a steroid psychosis at the relatively low dose of 20 mg a day. This was on the tablets, and happened after a being 10 - 12 months on that dosage.
Now, it seems like I need a prednisone IV for a few days on a high dosage (not sure how much nor how long but way over 20 mg a day).

Suffice to say, this scares me. I can't find anything on side effects of IV vs side effects of taking the pills long term. Is it to be expected that my minds goes crazy again? And even more because the dosage is much more?
Or will side-effects be different with IV pred?
Thanks

[Erin524]

When I've had oral prednisone, I usually tend to feel a little more...wired? than I do when I have IV steroids.

IV steroids have made me feel a little more tired.

I think I get more insomnia from oral steroids, than I do from IV steroids.

I've never been on steroids, oral or IV, for more than two weeks. Last time I had oral steroids. I think it was a really short taper. Think it started out at four 10 or 20mg's of prednisone for three days. Then it tapered back. (I think that was the dosage. It was probably more than a year ago). Other steroid tapers that I've done started out at 6 pills a day, for three days. Then tapered off. Don't remember the pill dosage for those tho. (probably 10 or 20mg?)


The longest, strongest IVSM that I've had was 1 gram a day IV for...4 or 5 days? For a vision problem. Think that might have been three years ago, so now I'm not exactly sure now how many days it was. I did do the oral taper afterwards.

[Lynn]

I haven't had IV steroids - but I have had very large doses of oral Dexmethasone over a two month period and I totally understand your concern.

While on this, I had mega hair loss, folliculitis (acne like others can't imagine), mood swings, anger, emotional outbursts, huge weight gain, major sleeping problems, and bleeding at the slightest touch.

This was prior and post brain surgery - I wouldn't wish it on anyone.

Hoping for you that the side effects of IV steroids aren't this bad.

xxx

[Debbie D]

I only experience increased energy and some insomnia on IVSM. Never really experienced any problems on oral steroids.

Talk to your doc about your concerns...

Thanks all.

I'm really upset over it all at the moment, and scared.
It's just that such a low dose of prednisone pills drove me into insanity (I mean real, worse nightmare insanity), what will happen if they give me the high dose in IV.
I'm going to talk with my doc about it.

Originally Posted by Erin524

When I've had oral prednisone, I usually tend to feel a little more...wired? than I do when I have IV steroids.
IV steroids have made me feel a little more tired.
I think I get more insomnia from oral steroids, than I do from IV steroids.

Interesting, hope this most of the times with this drug.

Hope some more can give a reaction if they've had iv (high dose) and oral.

[tkrik]

Oral makes me jittery, nervous, and sleepless. IVSM makes me sleep A LOT and generally feel really sick. Out of the 2 of them, I would rather have the IVSM as I did not like the feeling oral steriods gave me. My neuro doesn't have me do a taper from the IVSM. It's 3 days on and that's it.

Talk to your doctor about your concerns and the issues you have had in the past with oral steriods. He/she may recommend taking something, i.e. Benadryl, to help with the side effects. Also, will you be doing the IVSM at home with a home health services, at an infusion center, or hospital? That can make a difference in your comfort level.