Two weeks ago, I started taking 40 milligrams of prednisone a day to treat a flare-up of my ulcerative colitis. It’s  a necessary evil,and it’s been hell.

As everyone knows, prednisone is a steroid. With many side effects. None of them fun. And when you’re on a high dose, such as I’ve been, you experience them all.

Where do I begin? Let’s start with increased appetite and water retention.  I am constantly hungry and getting fatter by the minute. Then there is increased thirst. And we all know what that means. It means I’m drinking more, which of course, leads to peeing more. 

And let’s not forget insomnia. I went from being someone who fell asleep the minute her head hit the pillow to having a hard time not only falling asleep but staying asleep as well.  I have also developed the less-common side effects of a cough and hoarse voice.

But the worst side effects of them all, hands down, are the mood swings.  Let me tell you, ‘roid rage is real. And it’s ugly.  Not only are the mood swings affecting me at home, but they’re showing up at work, too.  Menopause was easier.

The littlest things turn me into a raging lunatic. I have epic meltdowns, the likes of which have no one has ever seen from me before. Look at me funny, and you’d better run. If you’re smart , you will think very carefully about what you say to me. They may be your last words.

In order to stop taking prednisone,  you have to taper off of it slowly. As of yesterday, I have gone down to 30 milligrams a day for two weeks. After which I will contact my doctor to see if my dosage can be lowered more

It’s a slow process, and the side effects won’t fully go away until I am no longer on the medication.  Until that time,it will not be fun to be around me. Trust me. Even I don’t want to be around me. I’ve been possessed by prednisone, and even an exorcist can’t help me.