[Halfnelson]

Hi all,

A while ago I was required to take prednisolone (a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) for a short period of time. Surprisingly I found that when taking it my PCS symptoms were all completely removed. They immediately returned when I stopped the drug.

Has anyone had a similar experience?

I suppose it provides evidence that PCS (or at least my version) is caused predominantly by chronic inflammation.

It is a pity that steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs cannot really be taken in the long-term unless for serious and life-threatening conditions.

Does anyone know of any safe anti-inflammatory supplements that can be taken regularly? Ibuprofen and fish oil do not seem to help me.

Thanks as always

Halfnelson

[Kenjhee]

I take Prednisone for bad eczema. Usually 20 mg on alternating days. Seems to have no effect on TBI symptoms.

["Starr"]

My fall happened in Feb 2012 and in around March, I started with a horrible all over body rash with awful itching (I posted here about it, as I was convinced and still am, that it was related to my fall) and was on high doses of prednisone several times over the next few months.

As long the the dose was over 40 mgs and the course was longer than a week, I noticed improvements. The best improvements came between 40mgs and 100 mgs during my month long course, I almost felt normal, my headaches were pretty much gone and my fatigue had lifted, I felt like me.

As soon as the tapering dose got below 40mgs, it all started to creep back and of course once the drug was totally out of my system, I was right back where I started. Eventually the rash and itching went away and didn't return.

When I told my rehab doc about my experience, (I didn't get into the program until July and that was about the time my rash and itching was just about over) he said that prednisone will often help temporarily, but isn't a permanent fix or cure.

He admitted he will very occasionally prescribe a short course for his TBI patients if they have a special occasion to get through, like a child's wedding or something, but he cautioned that sometimes prednisone also causes aggression in TBI patients (maybe regular ones too, I don't know?) and can cause things to go horribly awry also.

Now at my appointment yesterday, he prescribed at beta blocker and said if this doesn't work, we *may* have to consider a course of prednisone to see if we can break the headache cycle that I've been experiencing for 1.5 years. I've not had a break in my headaches since that last course of prednisone, over a year ago. Not one single moment.

If you google prednisone and migraine there's a variety of information regarding that. But in my own experience, all my other symptoms went away with the prednisone use also... I honestly felt like me... which does give me hope that somewhere in there, I am still there.

Starr

[Halfnelson]

Originally Posted by "Starr"

My fall happened in Feb 2012 and in around March, I started with a horrible all over body rash with awful itching (I posted here about it, as I was convinced and still am, that it was related to my fall) and was on high doses of prednisone several times over the next few months.

As long the the dose was over 40 mgs and the course was longer than a week, I noticed improvements. The best improvements came between 40mgs and 100 mgs during my month long course, I almost felt normal, my headaches were pretty much gone and my fatigue had lifted, I felt like me.

As soon as the tapering dose got below 40mgs, it all started to creep back and of course once the drug was totally out of my system, I was right back where I started. Eventually the rash and itching went away and didn't return.

When I told my rehab doc about my experience, (I didn't get into the program until July and that was about the time my rash and itching was just about over) he said that prednisone will often help temporarily, but isn't a permanent fix or cure.

He admitted he will very occasionally prescribe a short course for his TBI patients if they have a special occasion to get through, like a child's wedding or something, but he cautioned that sometimes prednisone also causes aggression in TBI patients (maybe regular ones too, I don't know?) and can cause things to go horribly awry also.

Now at my appointment yesterday, he prescribed at beta blocker and said if this doesn't work, we *may* have to consider a course of prednisone to see if we can break the headache cycle that I've been experiencing for 1.5 years. I've not had a break in my headaches since that last course of prednisone, over a year ago. Not one single moment.

If you google prednisone and migraine there's a variety of information regarding that. But in my own experience, all my other symptoms went away with the prednisone use also... I honestly felt like me... which does give me hope that somewhere in there, I am still there.

Starr

I've got quite a few to use so I'm going to give it a shot over a 4 week rest period.

I'll be careful too as I know the stuff is addictive to the body and needs to be tapered off.

Hopefully it will be enough to get me out of this hole!

[ReWiredKris]

Huh, that's interesting! I had to take prednisone when I had the flu this year, but didn't notice a difference.

However, something my neurologist found interesting - prior to my tbi I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (autoimmune dis-ease) and was on a monthly IV treatment of Remicade (an anti-TNF blocker - think of it working like a mop soaking up cells that cause inflammation) which got rid of my migraines...2 1/2 years of no pain, no aura and I was on this when I had my car accident - I theorized my negative MRI tests were due to this medication. There's a scientist in Israel doing trials on rats to see if it help - so far no human trials, but my gut says it will work. Haven't had the money to afford the treatment since my accident so can't say if it helps the PCS symptoms. Very interesting though!

[NormaW]

I got a allergic reaction to I think Cymbalta while on holidays. I just got a 50 mg dose for 7 days. I will be interested to see if it has an effect or maybe 7 days is not long enough.

I am also taking an antihistamine for the itching.

I am not 100 percent sure the Cymbalta gave me the reaction so after the prednisone I am going to try the Cymbalta again.

[berkeleybrain]

I had a steroid/prednisone shot two weeks ago for a reoccurring ear infection (from pcs)-and I noticed a lot of the brain fog lifted, increased energy, reduced headaches.

It was a lovely week! Then, the new normal returned.

Ah well-maybe some research should be done along these lines!

[NormaW]

Four days on 50 mg of prednisone and I almost have the house cleaned.

I seem to have a lot more energy and my headaches seem better. I have 3 more days to enjoy this....

["Starr"]

Enjoy it while it lasts Norma... but be careful about overdoing it.. the crash that happens after the prednisone is done is a brutal one. Trust me on this.

The prednisone will stay in your system for a few days even once you stop taking the pills, but once it clears your system, you may find you are worse than before you started... might be best to force yourself to rest a bit even though you feel good.

I know when I was on prednisone I felt so good I ran around and did so many chores I was behind on and felt so good... to the point that when I ran out and crashed, I actually tried to figure out how to get more, legally or otherwise. That's the closest I've ever been to being "addicted" to any drug before.

Just so desperate to feel that good again.
Starr