Did I Overdose On Prednisone?

I was prescribed Prednisone (60MG) 3x daily for 7 days and was supposed to take one every 8 hours 3x daily. But instead I took one every 4-5 hours unknowingly for 5 days...straight I stopped taking them after the 5th day. Because I got panic attacks and migraines. I've been off Prednisone for 5 days now and have been feeling the worst anxiety of my life...I cannot control it or calm myself down and I've been having physical weakness and extreme fatigue and stress. Should I be worried?

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You need to notify the prescribing doctor and explain exactly what has happened. When you start taking Prednisone, the body stops making cortisol on it's own. The two things you mention, headaches and panic, are side effects of the Prednisone. If Prednisone is not tapered down properly it can effect the way your body produces and releases cortisol, which is the stress hormone produces by the adrenal glands on top of the kidneys. I don't believe it's an overdose, but it may be...Prednisone is a very strong synthetic steroid. I am concerned about how your body is producing Cortisol right now based on what you are explaining. A steroid burst is usually tapered, so the adrenal glands will adjust to the drug and begin producing Cortisol again after the drug is stopped. The effects could be feeling exhausted, tired, sleepy, confused, fluid retention, and mood changes. The best thing to do is to contact your prescribing physician and explain everything. They need to know abour this in case they think you need a proper taper. Things will be okay.

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In most cases, now, Prednisone isn't tapered, unless someone has been taking it for longer than 21 days, but that might be different if someone was taking higher amounts than prescribed, so as RB said, it is best to consult your doctor to be safe.

The FDA lists the typical side effects of Prednisone as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, acne, insomnia, weight loss, and anxiety.

Ref: Prednisone Information

How are you feeling, now? Has there been any change? Are you on any other medications?

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