Depressed....taking methylprednisolone, blurred vision

Posted , 5 users are following.

I have been on Prednisone for several years.  The Rheumy decided to finally take me off of them.  I had such an attack of PolyRheum. that he put me back on a dose of 20, bedridden for 3 day, down to 15, still in pain then down to 10 which stabilized it all.  He then decided to put me on Medrol at 12mg for three days and then 8mg which I am still on.  I was doing fine until he decided to do all the changes on 2 mg pred. for years.   I guess my question is does anyone else have double vision when looking periferally and I am so very dizzy, especially in the mornings, and periodically throughout the day, that I find it very hard to function.  If I sit still and look straight ahead, things are in focus, but when I move!!!!  No desire to do anything which is not a typical thing for me.  Help if you can, Doc doesn't seem to respond well to my symptoms.  I have had several tests with other Docs. (4) to figure this out and they have ruled out anything that could cause this problem.  I'm looking for anyone that has had the same trouble after being many years on Prednisone. 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Posted

    The first thing I would suggest is have an extensive eye test.

    I can relate to the dizziness.  It is very debilitating, isn't it?  I cannot stand in one place for more than a few minutes, sitting I'm OK.  It makes shopping, traveling, etc very difficult.  Also housework/cooking.  Can't do either without standing!??

    I've been on Pred for 5 years.  Still get quite a lot of pain (but also have Polyarthritis and Tendonitis).  However, at 77 I suppose pain is part of the game!

    Sorry I can't give any really helpful suggestions.  Doctors find it difficult to manage with older patients - they really ought to be honest and say "It's just part of ageing" - there is really very little they can do except fill us with pills.??

    • Posted

      Getting old is definitely not fun, right!  All of my problems started with the Dr. taking me down to  1 mg.  I know that our body produces Pred. but taking this med. for 7 years has depleted that source. Doing very good on 2mg per day then 

      boom 5 mos. ago there it was.  This also makes you very tired or maybe it is the depression???? Some days if I do something strenuous for a brief period of time I feel normal.....just don't understand all of this!

  • Posted

    Way before I ever had PMR I had labrynthitis. I was so dizzy I couldn't work. All tests negative. I found taking ginger capsules several times a day worked like a charm. 

    Make sure the dizziness is not from something else like another medication or a drug interaction. An ENT specialist should check out the ears which are involved with balance. The usual meds given for dizziness are very sedating and caused me depression.but ginger has few side effects and really does work.

    • Posted

      Karen, I take several meds. that cause dizzy sensations, but have never in the past had a problem with them until trying to get off of Pred. so that seems to be the start of the problem when going back to higher dosage than 2mg.  I wish the old Doc. would have left me alone because I was doing fine with that dosage.  Thank you for your suggestion using ginger capsules.  I will try to see if these help!

      At this point I'm so willing to find something that sets my system right!

    • Posted

      That's really interesting.  I know that ginger is now used in some of the OTC motion sickness meds!

    • Posted

      Thank you!  I am going to try the ginger hoping that it will help.
  • Posted

    Yes, I do get the blurred vision...it`s awful, and restricts lots of things in life!  driving etc...it`s worse some days than others....

    I am having an eye test next week, but they don`t normally have any answers....

    ​I am on 10.5mg pred....nearly 5 years....

    • Posted

      Thank you so much for the answer.  My eye test said that I have 20/20 distance vision, although that was 1 eye at a time.  It is bad looking to the side with one vision stacked upon another with both eyes then working together, or should I say not working toether.

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