Posted by awake at last on July 31, 2002, at 16:53:36
In reply to Corticosteriods: I feel almost as if I am cured, posted by Jerrympls on July 30, 2002, at 0:10:57
> So, I was perscribed Methylprednisolone for asthma and I took the first dose this afternoon - afterwhich I began to feel almost normal - I don't feel high, I don't feel manic, I don't feel hyper - I feel like me before the depression and anxiety. What does this mean? What can it mean? How can it be? I've read/heard stories of people getting severely depressed while taking these powerful corticosteriods - but I've never heard of them making people feel "normal." I truely, and I don't use this workd lightly, feel almost "cured." Is that terrible? I am certainly going to bring this up with my doc - but can anyone out there tell me more about my reaction? It has to mean something - as far as my biology goes and this chemical depression - What could it be possible effecting in my brain to make me feel "good." I'm at a complete loss -this must lead to some clues as to why I have been treatment resistant.
>
> I've called friends I haven't called in months, I've been laughing at funny stuff on TV and I even have been wanting to listen to music. Someone please tell me what's going on - this is almost the "me" before the dark hell of depression took over my life.
>
> Does anyone have any insight? Any info is much appreciated.
>
> Jerry
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Jerry, is your doctor an endocronologist or a Doctor of Interal Medicine, if not, I'd switch to one and have a full work up done. You are right that corticosteriods usually cause depression not cure it, because they increase cortisol levels. If it is making you feel better then I would be suspicious that your depression my be derived from a low cortisol level. I have a child that has severe asthma and is on inhaled steroids daily and liquid corticosteriods a couple of times a year (we try to avoid these because of their effects on the growth hormone, as well as the many other side effects).
My advice to you would be to have one of the above doctors look at the following things: Thyroid, DHEA level, testosterone level, liver/spleen function, adrenal glands (cortisol levels) and insulin levels. And as well since you fight asthma, I would have your oxygen saturation levels checked as well(preferably by an arterial blood gas method - much more accurate). All of the above have a way of effecting each other and you could very well find that your depression goes away once an underlying cause is determined. This sudden change by the methylprednisone may be a hint to lead you in the right direction. (It took me 3 years to finially find the right pieces to the puzzle that cured what the doctors described as "depression" (although none of the anti-depressants they gave me ever worked) - but it was well worth the time and expense - it's nice to have my life back....ps, my problems were 3 fold, hypoglycemia, low testosterone and narcolepsy: So don't be suprised if you find more than one problem along the way).
Good luck
poster:awake at last
thread:114297
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020731/msgs/114673.html