Prednisolone and Sarcoidosis

I am a 31 year old male who was diagnosed with sarcoid in November 2013 and immediately prescribed 40mg (8 pills) daily for the first 2 months. At first I was manic, full of energy and couldn't sleep. I ate myself out of house and home and thought I could achieve anything. It was all quite a new experience so it didn't feel too negative. Then I had a couple of psychotic episodes where I would be looking in the mirror and not recognising myself with tears streaming down my face, once having the urge to go to the kitchen and get a knife. Luckily I didn't, and put myself to bed. A few days after these episodes I would go back to feeling on top of the world. So bizarre. Then when I tapered my dose to 20mg a day as my condition had improved I started experiencing symptoms of mild depression. The worst part about it was the uncontrollable crying (so embarrassing) and the overiding sense of sadness and helplessness, knowing full well it was the medication doing it to me. Luckily I read a post online by someone with similar symptoms who said that they simply accepted the way they felt and embraced the depressive symptoms. I tried the same, and it strangely got me through. Again this dose was also balanced out by days of feeling invincible and like there was nothing wrong - total polar opposites and very confusing. Further tapering down to 7.5mg a day, cleared these more severe side-effects, but I am now struggling to control impulsive behaviour. I have cheated on my girlfriend twice, bought totally random, often useless things, and generally struggled to control myself. I had managed to persuade myself at one point that I wanted to break up with my girlfriend of 9 years, whilst having simultaneously bought her an engagement ring. I have now decided to see a therapist which I think I should have done months ago. I have also experienced the worst withdrawal effects when tapering on the lower doses - shivers, aching limbs, headaches, sweats, and mild confusion / panic.. the long and short of it is I've been on this drug for 9 months and it has turned my world upside down in ways that I wouldn't wish upon anybody. I firmly believe however that I wouldn't have been able to cope without a dedicated excercise regime, meditating regularly, and the support of an incredible woman. I will also have a f**king massive party the day I don't have to take these damn pills.

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