Prednisone... the one little pill that can make anyone batshit crazy!
Prednisone is prescribed to people with ITP almost always. It’s the one steroid with the most scientific background and studies. Steroids stop your immune system from destroying your platelets by reducing the level of antibodies in your blood stream. They’ve been using prednisone to treat ITP for over 30 years. It’s the tried and true method 🤷🏻♀️
While they are helping your body recover and build your health back up, they also bring in tow a heap of side effects.
I've been on both prednisone and dexamethasone as treatment. Different doctors have different beliefs and sometimes it just depends on what ER I end up in. Regardless, both leave me feeling like I’ve lost my mind. Like a high functioning crazy person!
Imagine feeling like you just drank so much espresso that your hands won’t stop shaking, you can feel your heart beating in your throat, no matter how hot or cold it really is you are sweating like a whore in church, your knees are weak from merely standing that you hate getting up, your brain is racing so even forming thoughts is difficult, everything irritates you... EVERYTHING! And you have to smile and tell everyone that you’re fine.
I’m constantly on edge and have no real explanation why. I don’t want to talk to anyone and really just want to be left completely alone until I’m off the meds. Watching my body expand, despite the efforts of eating healthy and exercising ... I balloon up regardless. It feels like such a losing battle and puts me in a really crappy head space. So many times I've felt like a toddler... crying my eyes out and when my husband asks me what's wrong I sob "I don't know!!" Just shy of flailing my arms and stomping my feet.
I also found out this past February 2021 that I’ve developed osteonecrosis in my right knee... my bone is basically deteriorating from the high dose of steroids I’ve had to take. Awesome, right?! When the doctor told me this I literally laughed out loud and said, "of course!" Stupid prednisone, even stupider ITP!
See what I mean about they help the disease but have a whole heap of side effects in tow!
I'm generally a pretty positive person but when I'm on steroids, it's REALLY hard to keep that sunshine and rainbows outlook. I feel like they just wreak havoc on my body and I just want to throw in the towel. However, I remind myself again that this is only temporary. Every time is only temporary. I got through it before, I'll get through it again. I pep talk myself daily. I have to or I probably would lose my mind. I've survived every bad day up to this point - I'll survive many more too!
Check out the Prednisone Pharmacist - I’ve been following her IG account and it’s been so helpful as I continue on my journey!
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