Yes, sudden anger is a side effect of steroids. I had an allergic reaction to some shellfish several years ago. My throat started to close and I couldn't breathe. DH took me to the emergency room. They gave me a shot of adrenalin, which was awful. My chest pounded and I thought I was dying. They also gave me a blister pack of Prednisone steroid pills, with instructions to take 7 the first day, 6 the next, then 5, and so on, till done. During that week I was a screaming maniac both at home and at work. I had no patience whatsoever. I asked my internist, he said it was from the Prednisone. I hated myself so much during that time, I plan on refusing Prednisone in the future if offered.

that plus weight gain and sleeplessness are a couple other big side affects.

I was on them a couple of years ago and what a mess! I had anger issues too. I also got so puffy. My face was so round!

Trish in SC

My Dad was on a high dose for at least a month, his side effects were increased appetite, sleeplessness, his mood pretty much stayed the same, a big lovable teddy bear! I hope your DD feels better!
Michelle (shell89)

I have taken Prednisone for asthma and it makes me moody, but more weepy than angry. I remember crying watching a particularly touching Budweiser commercial (one of the Christmas ones, with all the horses).

I just read this thread out loud, and Dean said that he remembers a time that he complimented on what I was wearing and he was worried that I was going to rip his head off!!!! Yep....mood swings are bad...so is eating everything in sight. I also got really, really depressed when I was on it, thankfully that was only once. I really wonder/worry what it all does to our bodies...but it sure knocks out illness!

Prednisone is also hard on your bones.

Sue36, I have to admit...the Budweiser Clydesdales make me cry too, and I'm not on any medication or depressed. I will never forget how embarassed I was when they came to Galveston and they had them stabled just off the Strand, and you could walk through and see them with their grooms. I didn't sob out loud, but tears just ran down my face.

I've taken them for bronchitis-triggered asthma, and they make me nervous, hungry and hyper.

I've ended up in the emergency room three times with asthma, and once I was unconscious and near death. It was important that I take the prednisone for a couple of weeks until I recovered, then taper off.

There may not be an alternative for your daughter if she gets sick again. Even though it is very difficult, I hope you will do your best to be patient until she gets better.

I have taken the prednisone before and yes, it made me really have mood swings, hungrey all the time and short tempered! But this past week I have been taking them for what the Dr. thinks is arthuritis(sp) and they haven't been quite as bad (maybe its because I am taking my "happy pills", prozac) :o)

I was on them too a long while ago. Dr. said a side effect was it could make me "irrational". Didn't mention that the irrational could translate to getting into an arguement with DH and trying to take the whole bottle at once! I am now more careful when I have to take it (which is VERY VERY seldom now). Wish they'd tell people this so they wouldn't worry!

Vickey-MN

I've been on Prednisone since May when I was hospitalized for a first-time asthmatic-bronchial attack. When I came home I was on 60 ml a day, & we now have it down to 5 ml a day. I'm hoping that will get to every other day soon.

During this time the side effects have varied (& sometimes almost driven me nuts)- I usually have a few effects going at the same time. They include weight gain, facial puffiness (though not the "moon" face), lots of muscle aches, especially in my hips, lots of muscle cramps in my feet, legs & forearms, intolerance to heat, excessive sweating, heat flashes, hair thinning, crankiness, gastroesphogeal reflux, easy bruising, thinning skin, insomnia, odd dreams, & for a while, high blood sugar.

While this medicine is needed, it's as bad as some chemotheraphy: the treatment is as bad or worse than the disease. Sigh.

DS (he's 3) has to take prednisone on occasion...he's no fun on it. It does instantly cure him, but he's the grumpiest healthy (as well as he can be) kid on earth.

There's a reason it's called "roid rage"! People who abuse steriods for muscle building get way nasty to deal with.

My step-dad, with fibromyalgia, was in a car accident, and he had a serious back injury. Surgery was needed, but they wanted some prednisone treatments for a few weeks.

My very friendly, mild-mannered, pastor of a church step-dad - well, he had rage issues that shocked even him, LOL. He removed himself from services until after the surgery.

I'm on Prednisone for the first time right now. Today is my fifth day. And, yes, I'm *very* on-edge and feel like I'm gonna blow up any minute. And I can't stop eating. And my hives are getting worse, not better. *sigh*

You can add bone loss to the list of steroid side effects.

I developed the asthma/sinusitis/aspirin allergy triad after a stressful period in my late 30's. Before Advair I would be on prednisone about four times a year. Now I usually get only one or two bad attacks per year. (I've also had two hip replacements.)

Now I routinely ask for sleeping pills whenever I have to take steroids. I take prednisone because I MUST, but they are the pits. I also have emotional and elevated BP responses to several antibiotics like Biaxin, Levaquin, Ceftin, Zithromiacin. Allergic to sulfa, too -- and Diflucan.