Lingering Side Effects Of Methylprednisolone

I ended up at the ER thinking I was having a heart attack. So I didn't take the last two pills of my dose pack. It has now been a full week after my last dose, and I am still struggling with insomnia, nausea, dizziness, muscle weakness, loss of appetite, heart pounding and high bp. I feel better in the evenings, but then it starts over in the mornings. Does anyone know how much longer these side effects will last? Does anyone have a similar story?

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Has anyone else have this problem with lingering side effects? Can you share how long?

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Hi Fed Up - I have had almost the exact symptoms as you except I also had insomnia while taking the pack. (Almost no sleep for 3-4 days.) I finished it though.
I had my last one 3 days ago and since then I have gotten a bit more sleep, but now have all the other symptoms you describe. I am miserable every morning. I already had some blood pressure issues so am on medication for that - but my blood pressure is raised anyway. Last night I decided that no matter what time I woke up in the morning I was going to get up and eat some soda crackers immediately. That seems to have helped a bit with the nausea. Please tell me you are not still experiencing these symptoms! I am hoping you are getting better!

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Today is 15 days past my last dose. Went to Dr twice, and had blood work done last Tuesday, all normal. My ekg was normal. But, I am still suffering from insomnia (20 days now), fast heart rate, nausea (I find taking tums works), weakness, and some anxiety (probably because of no sleep and heart rate) my blood pressure is finally back to my normal. I'm seeing a cardiologist this morning. I feel like dung.

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Cardiologist put me on a Holter to record my 'events'. And, he wants to do a nuclear stress test on Monday. He is amazed that these symptoms are lasting this long... He doesn't think there is anything wrong with my heart, but I am worried about the nuclear dye used during the test. I have now developed bad side effects to benedryl (racing heart) that I've never had before, and that's what they use if there is an allergic reaction. I just don't want to add anything else in my body!

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Those can be typical steroid side effects and they do tend to linger for awhile, after you finish your course of treatment, according to the FDA. However, given the length of time you've been experiencing them and the severity, I think you are doing the right thing by having yourself checked out to be safe.

As to the racing heart from the Benadryl, as long it isn't reaching an actual dangerous elevation, then it would likely be better to let them administer it, in case of emergency.

Can you post back and keep us updated on the results and how you're doing?

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I won't get the results of the stress test for a week. I now have some nights were I get some sleep, then hardly any the next. My biggest concern right now are my heart Palps, and how fast my heart rate elevates with activity...

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Cj, how are you doing now. It's been 3 weeks now, and although most of the other side effects have improved, I am still dealing with the heart Palps, fast heartbeat and bouts of insomnia. This sucks!

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Hi, I was given Methylprednisolone through a drip for 12 weeks. I'm not sure of the dosage but every time I was given this for a thyroid/eye problem it didn't work and I still had to have an operation to sort out the problem. I also have type 1 diabetes and it affected insulin usage and my sleep pattern. I also get pain in my legs when walking and lack of drive and depression, but this was over 12 months ago. However, I still have side effects... Does it not wear off? Thanks.

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It has been 8 months since I took a five day dose pack, that I didn't finish due to a severe anxiety attack. It took about 6 months for my depression to go away... and I had almost all of the side effects listed. I also had developed major sensitivities to food/food additives causing reactions, although all tests showed no allergies. After 8 months, I am still dealing with some side effects... just happy I can finally eat everything again. I now list prednisone on my medical records as "do not give due to severe side effects".

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Diagnosed with frozen shoulder and prescribed PT along with a 6 day dosage of the generic prednisone form of Medrol; in good health, exercising 4 days/week, felt good except for a painful shoulder but woke up day after my 1st dosage, feeling dizzy, had nausea, off balance and not sleeping well. The 2nd and 3rd day was the same thing. Called my doc and was told to stop meds 3 weeks ago. Still have the same symptoms. I have been to my doc and my vital signs are good but still experiencing dizziness, off balance, insomnia (oh and teary eyed which is not me) every day. I know my body and I haven't felt normal since May 30th (great day, had lunch and theater with friends). Has anyone else had this experience? I just want to feel good again!

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I was prescribed the Medrol dosepak for TOS but stopped after the 2nd day, having had 44 mg total. My neck, back and arm pain subsided substantially, but the side effects were terrible: nausea, diarrhea, hunger, weight gain (5 lbs in 2 days), anxiety, irritability and (the worst) could not sleep at all. I was told by doctor to discontinue, tapering not required because of the short duration of the medication. It's been 5 days now and some of the pain has returned but is managed with NSAID. However, I am still extremely fatigued, despite no appetite and faint nausea I have not lost any of that weight, still having trouble sleeping. I think I read that the half life of the drug is 18-36 hours, and 5.5X that to get it completely out of your system. Hopefully, within 2 weeks this will be completely cleared from my system. I am trying to just stay positive and have scheduled PT for the TOS.

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Do you have pressure in your chest and difficulty breathing daily ?

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I was given a 6 day pack of methylprednisolone for a bad case of poison ivy about 4 weeks ago. I finished the pack and the last day of the pack I went to the ER thinking I was having a heart attack; my heart was pounding, racing and I felt like I was going to die, but the docs said my heart was fine. I went back the next night for the same reason and after an EKG they said everything was fine. So I was in the lobby waiting to be admitted into the room when a nurse approached me and suggested I was having a panic attack as after a while I calmed down. I do believe the nurse had been right about this. The severe panic attacks have gone away but I still have terrible anxiety and mild depression due to the situation. However ever since taking this medicine I have this feeling in my chest like I cannot breath and there's a terrible pressure on my chest. I have this all day long and everyday even when I'm not anxious at all, I also feel weaker (possibly due to the fact my heart rate increases and I have difficulty exercising now). I also am less sociable now. Before all of this happened I was extremely healthy and happy. I'm 20 years old, a college student. I went to the gym everyday, was very confident and never experienced any anxiety in my life. I don't know where to turn because doctors all think it is just mental health but I know something is wrong with me physically also. I don't know who to turn to for help which is why I'm here. I believe that this medicine has ruined the great life I once had.

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It took about 2 weeks for me to feel better. I still tire easily though. Hang in there.

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I wish my side effects only lasted two weeks , I get this feeling in my chest everyday and can't work out anymore ... all I can think about is the "old me" and how great life was before all this ... do you think I will be this way forever ? Has this drug permantly changed me ? I was the happiest most confident relaxed person before all this ...

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Do you have TOS? Chest tightness in my case is due to inflexible pecs minor, and constriction of the nerves which connect to the diaphragm. Stretching and exercising at home, plus rigorous PT (painful but effective massage and electric stim) have helped significantly. I am still not 100%, but much better. It's hard to know how much of the chest tightness is my TOS and how much is residual side effect of the Medrol. I wish I had a definitive answer for how long it takes to feel better. I am working diligently to try to get through this. If you haven't had PT, it's something you may want to consider.

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I'm sorry but I don't know what POS or PT means .. although I think my chest problems are definently from the Medrol .. I had asthma prior but these are not asmtha pains... I have a very irregular heart beat now it feels like and it sometimes it beats really fast and I have trouble breathing 24/7.. am going to a third doctor tmmrw hopefully she can help me. The only reason I get anxiety is about this. I just am wishing to get better. I wish you the best too.

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PT is physical therapy, exercise and massage to stretch muscles that cause pain in my back, neck and arms. Good luck with your new doctor!

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Thank you , does anyone else get these chest feelings ?

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Craig. It had been 10 months now, since my last dose. My biggest issues after taking the MEDROL pack has been food/food additives sensitivities, depression, anxiety, fast heartbeat with chest pressure, and inability to exercise, nausea, dizziness, insomnia lasting months, and the list goes on... it took 6 months for my food sensitivities to improve. About 7 months for my depression and anxiety to lessen, and I am just now getting over the chest pain/pressure. I have been exercising for about 2 months now.... starting slowly, and just now getting to were I was before this all started. Right now, I am not quite 100%; but am close. Very little chest pressure, and depression is gone. My insomnia was so bad, that I didn't sleep for 1 1/2 months! It took over 6 months before I started sleeping normal again. Plus... it through me into complete, full menopause. I feel this may be my new normal. My doctor explained it to me like this: "steroids are like a tornado. They come, tear things up, and leave. It can take months to repair and rebuild what has been destroyed by the storm." Don't be discouraged. I prayed to God daily for healing, and after 10 months (even though I'm not 100% yet, but close!) I am feeling like myself again. I pray that you will improve 100%, much faster than I did. (My heart issues were so bad, that I had a stress test, echocardiogram, and several ekg's... all normal)

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I took a Medrol dose pak for chronic foot pain. On the 2nd day after my run I started to get leg pains. It worsened on the 3rd day and I called a nurse, who told me to keep taking it and make an appt. I saw a provider 2 days later and was told to finish it because by then I only had 2 pills left. The pain was in my leg and knee and over the next couple of days and it was hard to even walk and go up stairs. However, after about a week I thought it was getting better. As soon as I started working out and running again after about another week or two the pain is coming back in my leg and groin and it's been well over a month since I finished it. I've been reading online about osteonecrosis of the hip with steroids and stuff but I understand its more from long term usage. Stuff the dr who prescribed it to me didn't know or think to even tell me about. I guess because it's not common but Should I be really worried???? Could I have a just a muscle strain or something and is it pure coincidence it happened while on the steroids or could be it more serious. I'm planning to get some testing done here soon but I'm just worried because I really enjoy running. Avascular Necrosis is really bad so I hope it's nothing of that nature.

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I would like to spread the word be very very careful when you have been prescribed this ..i was give....drug...it is very strong and the side effects are with you for months...read and don't take it

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Re: Hypochondriacattack (# 33)

I just finished the dose pak and am also taking amoxicillin. I have two inner ear infections with fluid that cause dizziness. About2 hours after taking the last pill. My heart was racing for hours i felt sick to my stomach and now o have a burn in my chest and feel light headed and just all together weak like i haven't eaten or moved in a month. Im so scared. Ive been to 3 different hospitals 7 times and was diagnosed with something different each time. Im ready to give up. Did things get better for you?

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I recently tarted having dizziness and severe panic and anxiety attacks, pressure in head and ears and a buzzing sensation (no sound just a sensation). My doctor decided it was an ear/sinus infection causing tinnitus (I think that's what he called it). I'm on day 3 now of methylprednisolone 4 mg 6-day treatment with amoxicillin. I was prepared for most of the side effects but am feeling off balance and having problems standing up straight. Is this a common side effect?

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Re: Fed Up (# 20)

Why do Drs give people these drugs without warning them of these horrible side effects and withdrawal? I had a terrible withdrawal from prednisone 5 yrs ago and when my Dr talked me into taking Medrol in May, he assured me I wouldn't have any bad side effects! He was WRONG! It's been 5 months since I took a 6 day pack, and I'm still dealing with awful side effects. Never again.

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Re: Eliane (# 22)

I have that from taking Medrol which is in the predisone family.

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Re: Craig (# 15)

Yes. I, too, had a personality change,
depression, anger, impatient, anxiety... I went from being outgoing, and happy, to not wanting to do anything I used to enjoy. It took 6 to 7 months for me to 'feel' normal again... all that from just taking 4 days of the dose pack.

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I'm going on 4 months. These side effects come in waves...

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Re: Craig (# 13)

This drug affects you both physically & mentally. I've experienced a big personality change since taking a Medrol 6 day pack. Depression, edgy, angry, etc.. Praying it'll subside along with the physical effects. Bad drug.

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Re: Craig (# 15)

What you are feeling is REAL and known side affcts of the med pack. I'm sorry to say it can take months to years to get better. But most do get better. Seek out natural health dr and others damaged by these drugs. There are MANY of us. I wish you health and strength.

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