Lingering Side Effects Of Methylprednisolone (Page 2)
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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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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 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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It took about 2 weeks for me to feel better. I still tire easily though. Hang in there.

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

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

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