[mamaskoby]

Any one's little on turn into Jekly and Hyde on this medication?? My son turned into a real monster on this. Did not sleep but screamed for 24 hours straight almost (not kidding) as he ran around the house hitting everyone, even his dog and if we tried to pick him up he would hit and kick us.
We went crying to the Dr yesterday and he told us to stop but I am scared he will get a relapse of his pneamonia without it.
Is he the only one who had this reaction like this ? I am starting to have a pity party for myself and my son/

[TeeTee]

My bio son does NOT have this reaction as he has been on it so many times since birth...however my guatling did have this reaction! We knew what it was and we dealt with it because she had to have the medicine along with albuterol breathing treatments. She was the "steroid monster" is what we called her. It is sad the way it makes them feel! I hate that!! But at the time last winter we were trying to keep her OUT of the hospital and had no choice but to continue the steroids! Then she has had them this year once and she didn't have that reaction...maybe b/c she is older???

Anyway....good luck!

[DPline]

Not knowing how much he was on to begin with, but would it be possible to try a lower dose and see if that would provide some of the benefit without so much of the side effect?

While it doesn't effect my kids to that extent, I do see a change in their personality while on it. Having taken pretty large doses of oral steroids myself at time for my RA, I know it makes me totally wired, so I can see where it would have a profound effect on a small child.

Good luck!

[missylaw]

2 of my 3 bio sons are horrible on it. They get very irritable and cry constantly. My husband and myself both have similar reactions(without the crying :-) while on Presdnison, I refuse to take it anymore because of the irritibility and also the WEIGHT GAIN, but kids don't have that issue :-) So I figure if they feel like I do on it I can understand their reaction. sorry to hear your both miserable.
Missy

[WAmomx3]

My husband was on this with his chemo. Same effect on him - he would get super hungry on the meds, and super cranky and emotional as he was coming off....it was probably the worst part of the chemo for him..

[angelkisses0102]

Yup...both my kids and I get this way on it...ask for an alternative...I can't remember what we got last time in place of it...but it had no nasty side effects.

[EZ2Luv]

Roid Rage!! That is a VERY common side affect of prednisone. This is a steroid and most of the time it is rxed for children short term. I just saw your other post. This is usually rxed fo breathing problems and asthsma. Hopefully it is short term. It can be brutal as far as behaiors and moodiness.

EZ

[mamaskoby]

Thanks everyone! Anyone know the name of the alternative???(angelkisses???) When I asked my dr he suggested it was this or nothing!!!
I need to know what to ask for if there is a next time!
Thanks again,
Couldn't get through this without all of your help!

[guatparents2be]

our son gets a similar reaction...not cranky but crazy everready bunny.

but really, if the doctor said don't worry about it, i wouldn't worry about it. steroids do NOT treat pneumonia, but decrease inflammation in the airways. if your child is breathing ok (i.e. not asthmatic) you should be able to follow the doctor's orders and stop it. steroids actually decrease immune function, and increase risk of infection.

oddly enough there was a study just out showing that it may shorten the course of disease but it is just a preliminary study and is not standard of practice at this time.

if you're worried call the doc again but i think following his orders in this case should be ok.

good luck.

[becky]

When I was the Director of a preschool the teachers used to refer to this medication as the 'Devil Drug'. The vast majority of the kids who were on it acted horrible and were wild, upset, and just plain cranky!!

[carolynpep73]

My DD had major Roid Rage when on prednisone. It was for asthma and she was on it 3 times in 4 months. It was HORRIBLE and the docs told me they couldn't/wouldn't put her on it again. She was referred to a pulmonologist and has been asthma attack free for over a year.

That said, prednisone is nothing to mess around with. It's pretty hard on the system. If they can offer you an alternative then I strongly encourage you to take it. My DD was crying one minute and literally running in circles the next.

Good luck!!!!

[PRINCESS1976]

My guatling Arianna has to go on this for breathing issues and she turns into an absolute monster. Completely hyper , hiting and totally out of control.

[cjrogers]

There are other steroids that your child can be put on, but there is not an "alternative" to a steroid or any other medication that can reduce overall inflammation and suppress the immune system like corticosteroids do. You can ask your doctor for other glucocortoids, such as prednisone, methylprednisone or dexamethisone. They would all probably have similar effects though.

These are textbook side effects of the steroid. I have no idea what you can do other than pray while he is on them and maybe invest in a good red wine for the next few days

I am on them on and off during the year for various reasons and I not only turn into super witch, they have also helped me to gain nearly 80 lbs over the past 2 years.

Good luck and hugs.

[sdiedre]

I was on 60mg of prednisone A DAY for 1 1/2 years. I stll have to take 10mg/day.

Prednisone and related drugs are horrific.....but often, the only option. Most drs will only prescribe them when there is no other option. Prednisone causes extreme irritability and has even been known to cause psychotic incidences. While I was on my highest dosages, I literally couldn't sleep. I had to take medication just to get a few hours.....I HATE prednisone.

The only way stopping the medication would be dangerous (provided the symptoms they were treating have abated) is if you have been on them for a period of time......in that case you MUST taper off.