Please help!!I have had major symptoms with steroids to treat persistent migraine. What should I do?

Are you taking it first thing in the morning (before 8am)?

Also, what is your dosage?

Either way, insomnia is one of the most common side-effects of prednisone, so yes, normal.

I have been taking steroids for nearly four years and I am still suffering from insomnia. I think I have had fourteen different side effects. You should be OK taking them for just six days. Were you given a PPI with the steroids to counteract the acid reflux? 

I have taken prednisone for asthma/ copd for very long and short periods for over 50 years so I will give you my opinion. I believe 6 days at too high a starting dose and tapering off in 6 days would cause all those symptoms . Also not drinking enough water with your pills will cause that irritation.you should drink at least 8 oz. of water  and sip on more . I think you can soothe the reflux by also drinking mylanta, several times a day, and eat bland, soothing foods until you get better.

   

I think you should take prednisone lower doses for a longer time and lower doses very slowly,working with your Dr. To raise or lower  it to minimize side effects. Since you had bad side. Effects you may not want to ever try prednisone again,But, if your migraine specialist recommends it as something that may work for you,, make sure he knows your experiences and if there are no other meds that have worked to reduce the severity and number, then you may have to take it. Have courage ,be brave do what you have to do to live a more normal life. I pray that something will work soon❤️

Hi Emma,

I have been on and off predinsone for the past 4 years from Bechet's Disease, I suffer also from not sleeping at night from being on it which causes me to be tired during the day. I also have a errosive esphogaus from the Bechet's which causes severe pain, burning and trouble swallowing. I take Sucralate prescription 4 times a day. I add a little water on the Sucralate and make a paste out of it and swallow it.  I also suck on Mastic Gum/DGL wafers 5 times a day this helps heal the esphogaus. I hope you get to feeling better soon! 

emma,

I became allergic to steroids. When I was younger, I had taken short courses of steroids with no problems at all. I discovered how my body can change with age.

In 2004 I had 3 epidural steroid injections for back pain. Each injection was 3 months apart. They are life savers for some people, but they almost killed me. The first 2 injections went well, but the day after the 3rd injection that changed!

I was at work and started getting flushed. The boss told me to go home. I left work and stopped by the doctor's office. The nurse came out to see me and said that I was having a reaction to the steroids. She told me to take Benadryl (over-the-counter med for allergies). That didn't help. Within 3 hours I thought I was going to die. I went to the ER by ambulance. I couldn't catch my breath and hurt all over. They treated me with IV Benadryl and morphine. I recovered within hours and went home. Then, about 24 hours later I relapsed! Off to the ER by ambulance again. Same treatment and recovery time. I finally stabilized.

In 2014 I had major surgery for dentures. Recovery was very painful. I called the doctor. He prescribed a 6-pack of steroid pills. I warned him about my experience with steroids. He said, "That's impossible! Your body makes steroids. So you can't be allergic to them." I finally agreed to take the steroids.

After day 4 the reaction hit me. That time it was MUCH WORSE! I felt like my body was on fire.

Never again!