I had lots of sleep disruptions on prednisone, and also found that I had a pretty insatiable appetite, which caused weight gain. But for however frustrating those side effects were it worked wonders for my inflammation! I have done a taper of prednisone about 4 times in the last two years, and over time I have found ways of managing the side effects. You will probably encounter some that bother you but you will also probably be amazed at how effective it is!

I've heard many women say what AlmaZavala said. I never had any of that. I never had any extra energy and I was started on a very high dose of pred. Everyone reacts differently, though I seem to be the only one who never had the munchies oar the energy. I have now been on pred more than 25 years. I got down to 20mg a day and then couldn't go more. Then my rheumy here wanted me to wean off of it but it took eight years to get from 20mg to 10mg and I cannot go lower. I was originally put on it for my lupus after we exhausted every other option.

The side effects can be really bad. I gained a lot of weight, but it's because I retain water from the pred. I have "moon face," which is a natural side effect. I have severe osteoporosis from the pred and some problems with my eyes. My teeth are not as strong as they should be.

When I was diagnosed with RA two year ago we discussed upping the pred again, but decided against it. Or I decided against it. It does help with inflammation to some extent - different in everyone. I can feel when I miss a dose - like a time this past winter when I got really sick and slept for 72 hours and missed three doses.

You should NEVER go cold turkey on pred. That can get you in trouble. It took a couple of weeks for me to get back to where I was after missing those doses. I'm grateful I did not have to be anywhere specific during that time. I could barely move because of the inflammation and pain.

That said, I do not think it is helping my RA. I know my body very well. It does not appear to be helping my RA or rupus, but it does help with the lupus.

I'd be interested in knowing how it does affect you.

I cannot take steroids. I experience the "rage" side effects. Not that I'm going to hurt anyone but I find that I have absolutely no patience, and DO feel angry and barely in control. My provider figured it out when I asked her what was wrong with me. She took the symptoms and put it together. My husband hopes I never need to take steroids again. Clinically, they worked great on the issue and reduced the inflammation. What a bummer for me. LOL

Prednisone makes you hungry, have too much energy, gives you headaches, makes you feel like you can jump a train, there's a joke where it makes you like the hulk, (you won't like me when I'm on prednisone) makes you eat like crazy, gain weight by looking at food (I kid lol) makes you get hot flashes. Now that I'm used to it I know what to expect. My symptoms are not as bad anymore but I still overeat, you get a potbelly, a camel hump (I finally lost mine after being on prednisone for 6 years straight) I ty to not take it by all means unless I'm becoming crippled with inflammation. I went from 195 to 252 in finally down to between 217-230 yeah prednisone changes my weight drastically. I don't want to scare you it helps it's a miracle drug but I can't wait until I don't need it anymore. The long term effects are more damaging but I'll let your doctor discuss those with you. ((Hugs)) and hope you find something long term to help you

I call Prednisone the devil but I'm on it now. Currently having a flare up. It's a medication but sometimes we have to take it. Prolonged use is bad for you and can cause you to gain weight. It's bad for your bones 😜. As a taper dose once in a while is not too bad for me, but we're all different. Good luck. Have a Merry Christmas 🎄