Mood and Cognitive Changes with Prednisone
Posted , 21 users are following.
I know it’s not something we all like to think about or talk about, but I have noticed that my “head” has changed a bit during the two years of my PMR. My mood and cognitive abilities seem to have changed during corticosteroid treatment with prednisone and I’m not sure if is it just because I’m getting “older” – or is it the drugs ?
Reading all kinds of different things in papers, books, etc., it appears that the neuropsychiatric effects of corticosteroids are very complicated, unpredictable, and can be severe and identified across many aspects of mental and social disorders.
There seems to be a commonly used term - ‘steroid psychosis’, which describes a variety of specific conditions related to the results of taking corticosteroids and these include mood changes, anxiety symptoms, cognitive impairments, and behavioral changes.
During the many appointments that I have had with my doctor and rheumatologist, the ‘mention’ or review of steroid psychosis doesn’t seem to have come up at all, until I brought it up as a ‘passing’ question of interest. And the response was “so what condition of the psychosis do you have and what are you concerned about”
Wow !! How do I know – apparently it’s not the job of the rheumatologist to pick that up this topic early in the doctor/patient relationship and investigate potential issues with appropriate questioning!
So who should we go and see to find out ?
So what should we do to improve our understanding of potential and active corticosteroid-induced effects ?
What is the result of taking prednisone and how do you know if is the prednisone causing the problems or is it just “getting old”. Most of us with PMR taking prednisone are not youngsters.
Eileen has already mentioned all kinds of abnormalities of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis - and I understand that these HPA issues can result in mood disorders – is that a common result of taking prednisone and is it described as steroid psychosis ?
I think that one of the best ways to know what might be happening to your “head” is to ask family members – they are the ones who would notice the mood changes – and my not be ‘chicken’ to tell you about yourself ! I know that I have indeed had some ‘mental’ cognitive changes over the last few years and a bit of mood change when PMR things are not so good and although I see and feel these impacts, others have not wanted to mention any changes they have noticed, unless it ‘bothers’ them, I guess.
And again – is this aging or prednisone ?
I know most of us don’t like discussing how our “heads” are functioning, but I would like to hear other’s thoughts on this matter.
Thanks, (reasonably sane) Dave
2 likes, 25 replies
heather39822 Dave-California
Posted
My short term memory is shocking and one embarrassing example is myinclination to repeat a story as "news" to the person who originally delivered it. I find myself having fractionally short dreams that bear no relationship to anything in my life, while fully awake - albeit bored or tired. While I can't put a finger on what is wrong with my head - I just know it is not right.
Surely it's time for some research on our condition? And the long-term side-effects of pred? However, perhaps we are a small number of sufferers in the grand scheme of medical conundrums. I know no one else in my little community in Harare who has PMR.
linda06830 Dave-California
Posted
Also, reasonably sane (and really not that old) Linda (I'm in OR, Dave.)
kathy67492 Dave-California
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Guest Dave-California
Posted
dan38655 Dave-California
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Also, my much-reduced activity, pre-treatment, had it's own effects on my mental perspective, as I was reduced to just reading most of the day.
But I,too, live in California, where it finally just rained, which might explain the rest.
Flutterbie57 Dave-California
Posted
During a particularly stressful time (for me), I had a 'brain' shutdown. I think I was 'gone' for approx 40mins. When I snapped out of it, I did not know where I was, but recognised the people I was with. I was not 'asleep' as when told what happened in that period, I was aware of what happened, but had no memory of it myself before being told. It did scare me. Both Dr and Specialist said it is definitly a PRED problem. The situation which created my excess stress would not have upset me to the same degree last year, before PMR.
I do warn people around me now, if they get negative, that I am on a steroidal short fuse.
I think I am reasonably sane, terribly forgetful, and more emotional. I had to turn the tele off tho unless it is a comedy show.
molly1957 Dave-California
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best wishes molly
kimberly04963 Dave-California
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To all my friends on Patient here's an update.I went to emergency at the U of A hospital yesterday because they have a huge rheumatology dept in this hospital and I accomplished what I went there for, They checked my eyes and so far they are fine despite blurry vision and jaw pain,headaches etc. They are also referring me to a new rheumi as the one I have is a quack,I;m sorry to say.So I'm really happy I went there.The prednisone is doing its job, my ESR and CRP are withing normal limits now. Can't wait to get off this drug cause I look like Fiona from Shrek with my moon face lol. Does anyone know if the moon face goes away after the steroids end?
Kimberly
gillian_25383 kimberly04963
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kimberly04963 gillian_25383
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julian. Dave-California
Posted
I was once described as being paid to think. Used to complex engineering and people problems. Fairly sensitive to what goes on with my mind. Very used to remaining objective during sustained stress - so I've been told.
Obviously difficult to separate some of the pred side effects from ageing but the effects have reduced with pred reduction. Also some effects are the same as simply being very tired and lacking energy.
At 4.5mg/day I'm almost back to "normal". But not quite. And harder to know as the effects seem much more subtle.
There were enough descriptions on this forum to satisfy myself that I was suffering side effects. Once I thought I knew what was occurring I felt I could reasonably manage it. And I really didn't want more medication. I somehow didn't feel the need to have my doctor tell me about side effects, it seemed there were more important things.
Very difficult to ever be sure. Most effective was talking to my better half about it. Harder on her than on me. At least I could delude myself I was in some sort of control. It requires a peculiar sort of honesty to be able to tell someone they have changed. How is even harder.
It seemed important to put extra work into preserving relationships - which is quite difficult when the pmr is consuming so much energy there's not much left over. Its for others to judge how successful I've been.
The mood swings needed a bit of learning. How to catch them and simply walk away instead of exploding. Slow learner, I didn't always catch them early enough.
Sometimes hating myself while listening to what I was unusually willing to say, despite the hurt. Once I realised it was relatively easy to stop, I tend to think before I speak.
Very frustrating rebuilding my truck. What should have been simple problems became enormous unfathomable hurdles.
I mildly enjoyed the pred highs. A better alternative than low, though middle would have been nice. Friends were fairly tolerant and seemed to get a bit used to "silly mode".
An early pred high I simply knew I wasn't "me" but lost my reference point. Very confusing for about a week while I found myself and worked out what was happening.
The lows are to be "stood on" lest they become lower. I dig myself out in a variety of ways, but basically small steps in a positive direction. Fortunately they don't last long. I've generally removed a lot of stress from my life. Keeping fit and maintaining energy levels has been difficult.
For the first time in my life I've resorted to writing lists. The rehab people expect me to remember the bp reading they take while exercising - harder as the exercise becomes harder.
On about 10mg/day I did some computer programming. After an interesting conversation with fellow sufferer I looked back on a programme and what I thought was logical at the time was like spaghetti. Scary stuff. Knowing made it easier.
Interesting times, as they say.
Flutterbie57 julian.
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suesing Dave-California
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I'm only 55 and was diagnosed with PMR when just turned 54, 18 months ago, so I don't think any changes that I am experiencing can be blamed on age: well not as much anyway!
Looking back, I think PMR was lurking at least 2 years prior to it exploding and my diagnosis. Certainly during the year prior to diagnosis, everything just seemed to be such a struggle and I found it difficult to concentrate on anything, especially as I seemed to have a constant migraine. I think this was more to do with mild depression caused by the developing PMR.
Once on steroids my mood improved, which has a lot to do with the relief of severe pain, headaches and fatigue. However, when I was on the higher dose, I noticed that I became anxious about doing the simplest of things, shakey and hyper-sensitive. I'm now in the process of going down to 3.5mg and the anxiety is much improved. My level of concentration is pretty good, but I still suffer from fatigue on a daily basis, which I think is bound to affect this. I also find that I often have difficulty responding to people quickly, finding he words that I need and generally getting a bit jumbled! This can be tricky when teaching, but I think my pupils just think I'm a bit scatter-brained!
I do question how much of this is to do with the steroids and how much is to do with PMR/GCA and the stress of dealing with it.
gillian_25383 Dave-California
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Anhaga Dave-California
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