Is It Normal to Experience These Reactions After Taking Prednisolone?
I’m a 26-year-old woman weighing 130 pounds. I suffer from eustachian tube dysfunction, which leads to persistent fluid buildup behind my eardrum, often causing intense pain and sometimes making it hard to hear. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see an ENT until September 25th, as that was the earliest appointment available. This condition typically flares up whenever I catch a cold or a viral infection, leading to nasal congestion. The moment my nose gets stuffy, I know I’m in trouble; it only takes about a day for ear problems to kick in. While I try to preemptively use treatments like Flonase and antihistamines, nothing alleviates the pain and swelling quite like prednisone. So whenever I’m in significant discomfort, I opt for a six-day Medrol dose pack, and once I complete it, I often feel much better. I should point out that I haven’t experienced any side effects from prednisone in the past, aside from a slight increase in appetite at times. However, about two weeks ago, my ear issues re-emerged. I attempted to manage the situation using Flonase and allergy medication as prescribed by my doctor, but after a few days, nothing improved. Eventually, the pain became unbearable, prompting a visit to urgent care, where the physician confirmed I had fluid trapped in my ear but no signs of infection. They prescribed a Medrol dose pack and sent me home. Now, I’m on day three of the Medrol dose pack, and while the pain is gone, I’ve developed a sore throat, scratchiness, and have been producing mucus—essentially feeling under the weather. This same situation occurred the last time I was on a Medrol dose pack about two months ago, where I had comparable symptoms by the third day. However, the day after I completed the last six-day course, I felt fine again. Now that this is happening again, I’m confused because it’s not something I’ve ever dealt with before; while I’m relieved that the pain has subsided, I’m concerned about stopping the medication early to avoid any complications with my current ailment. Has anyone else experienced something similar? I haven’t been able to find much information online other than accounts of nausea and digestive issues related to prednisone, which isn’t the case for me—it feels more like cold symptoms.
Answers (1)
8/2/2025, 5:40:41 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's great to hear you're feeling relief from the pain due to the Medrol dose pack, but I understand your concerns about the new symptoms you've developed. Experiencing a sore throat, scratchiness, and mucus production after starting a prednisone regimen can be unsettling, especially if it feels similar to a cold. Here's a breakdown to help you understand this situation better and what to do next.
Key Points:
- Common Side Effects of Prednisone: While many people tolerate prednisone well, it can affect individuals differently. You might be experiencing mild side effects or a reaction that can mimic cold symptoms, especially during a change in medication.
- Immune Response: Prednisone can affect your immune system response, potentially making you feel under the weather if you are already dealing with a cold or environmental allergens.
Explanation:
- Sore Throat and Mucus: The sore throat and increased mucus you’re experiencing could be due to a few factors:
- Secondary Effects: The steroid medication can reduce inflammation, which may lead to a temporary imbalance in how your body handles infections or allergens. Thus, while your ear pain has improved, underlying nasal congestion may still affect your throat and cause mucus production.
- Environmental Factors: If you have been exposed to allergens or irritants (like dust, smoke, or pollen), this could contribute to your symptoms as well.
Next Steps:
- Continue the Medrol Dose Pack: Since the pain relief has been significant, it's generally best to complete the course as prescribed to avoid any resurgence of inflammation.
- Symptom Management:
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to help with mucus production and soothe your throat.
- Throat Comfort: Consider warm salt water gargles or throat lozenges to relieve throat discomfort.
- Watch for Changes: Keep an eye on your symptoms. If your sore throat worsens, if you develop a fever, or if you experience any new symptoms, note these for your upcoming ENT appointment.
- Gentle Monitoring: Keep track of your symptoms as they progress over the next few days. If the information aligns with previous experiences (resolving after stopping the medication), you might simply be in a transitional phase.
Conclusion
While it's common to experience variations in symptoms when taking prednisone, managing your self-care during this period is essential. Completing the dose pack while staying hydrated and monitoring your symptoms can help you navigate this situation effectively. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to reach out!
Related Questions
Concerns About Potential Brain Damage at 16
To begin, I’d like to clarify that I’m currently located in Europe, where I observe that many individuals in my environment engage in more extreme behaviors than I do, even as I strive to partake in social activities without crossing the line into recklessness. My journey with alcohol commenced at the age of 14, albeit in a very mild manner. By the time I turned 15, I started drinking more regularly, making sure to space out my experiences approximately weekly to monthly, totaling around ten instances of intoxication. Notably, I noticed I had an adverse physical reaction to alcohol—specifically, skin flush the following day—which prompted me to transition to cannabis as it felt easier on my body. I limited my cannabis use to weekends while adhering to similar spacing, with one exception. At 16, I found myself smoking almost every day for a week after a particular incident, but I was able to regain control thereafter. When I was 15, I also experimented with psilocybin mushrooms on two occasions, which proved to be positive experiences and made me realize I needed to cut back on alcohol consumption. Recently, I had a successful experience with 150 micrograms of LSD after careful preparation. This evening, I intend to consume half an edible instead of resorting to drinking or smoking, aiming to increase my intervals between substances to once a month at a minimum while maintaining a healthy lifestyle as an athlete. Despite my efforts, my naturally anxious disposition makes me concerned about anything that may cause irreversible damage to my brain, including, for instance, excessive screen time. I would greatly value insights from professionals regarding these worries. For context: I’m 16 years old, assigned female at birth but have been on testosterone for seven months, standing at 5'4" and weighing 125 pounds.
Concerns about HSV Transmission During Nasal Suctioning for My Baby
Recently, I experienced my first cold sore at the age of 29, appearing at the edge of my lower lip. With a three-month-old infant, I have been particularly cautious, believing that the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is transmitted solely through direct contact. I made sure to avoid kissing my baby and kept my distance. On her three-month birthday, she woke in the early morning with significant nasal congestion. Feeling exhausted, I instinctively reached for the Frida nasal suction, my usual go-to in such situations. While using the device, I made sure my cold sore was not in contact with it. Typically, I only use the suction in her nostrils, afterward blowing air onto my hand to check for any mucus and then continuing the process. However, as I performed this task, I began to question whether I was potentially spreading the virus; my research revealed that HSV can indeed be transmitted through saliva. Although most of my usage was suctioning, I realized I had occasionally blown into the tube to assess its effectiveness before resuming suction. Naturally, I'm feeling anxious and regretful for not thoroughly considering the risks involved. Additionally, I learned that my illness may have contributed to my cold sore, and now I suspect my baby may also be coming down with something—her first cold has me quite worried. I took precautions by wearing a mask, and throughout the week, she seemed unaffected. Being a breastfeeding mother, I hope she has received ample antibodies to help her. I would greatly appreciate any insights on whether I need to be alarmed or if there are specific signs I should monitor. Thank you for your assistance!
Dismissed as a Patient After 26 Years
For the past 26 years, I’ve been a patient at the same medical office, practically since the moment I entered this world (or rather, since I began my existence). Admittedly, I did transition from a pediatrician to a general practitioner when I turned 18, but I’ve mainly seen the same doctors throughout my life, including a general physician and a sports medicine specialist. During this extensive period, I have only missed a couple of appointments—perhaps just two in total—which seems quite reasonable considering I’ve had numerous check-ups and consultations due to various health issues, largely stemming from accidents and injuries. It’s not uncommon for someone like me, who tends to be accident-prone, to have over a hundred visits in nearly three decades. However, I recently discovered that I’ve reportedly missed three appointments in the span of six months. This unexpected revelation is frustrating, as those missed appointments occurred while I was recovering from orthopedic surgery following a significant work-related accident—I tumbled two stories off a ladder, highlighting my tendency for mishaps. The appointments I failed to attend were routine check-ups with my general practitioner, my sports medicine doctor, and a blood test. Unfortunately, they all coincidentally fell around the same period just after my surgery. I learned about the need for the surgery only a few weeks ahead of these scheduled appointments, and post-surgery, mobility was a challenge. I had asked my husband to cancel them on my behalf, but he neglected to do so—an oversight we share. While I take some responsibility for not ensuring the calls were made, I was heavily medicated with prescribed pain relief at the time. Despite my generally good attendance record, this series of missed appointments led to my dismissal as a patient. Today, when I contacted the office to request a refill for a chronic medication unrelated to the surgery, I was informed that I can no longer receive care there, as I was discharged as a patient back in early January. This came as a shock, especially since they had filled a different prescription for me just weeks ago without any issues. It raises the question: how can they discharge me and then assist with a prescription shortly before? I’ve been on the same medication for over seven years, and I am not asking for anything out of the ordinary. If they want to sever ties after 26 years, I’m willing to find another provider, but it feels absurd to deny me vital medication after such a long-standing relationship. Is this a common practice? When I explained my situation—politely and respectfully—the response was still a firm refusal to refill my prescription. My discussions were limited to administrative personnel, leaving me at a loss about my next steps. I’ve always been a reliable patient, with the exception of these recent three appointments occurring immediately after the surgery. The urgency of my medical needs can’t be understated: I am in need of key prescriptions and follow-up care due to significant health concerns from my recent injury, numerous corticosteroid injections, and a positive result from a cancer screening test. Although statistics suggest the probability of a false positive at my age, it still necessitates thorough follow-up, especially given my family's history of this condition. For the past week, I’ve reached out daily, always with courtesy, yet I’ve received no resolution, just the run-around among various office staff. They mentioned they sent me a letter to inform me of my dismissal, yet I never received a call, email, or any subsequent communication. One single letter does not suffice to terminate a patient’s long-term relationship with their medical practice, especially when it involves critical prescriptions and post-surgery care. Is this standard protocol? I cannot stress enough that I am not embellishing my situation. With an almost flawless attendance record and a recent misstep due to surgical recovery, being abruptly cut off feels excessive. I truly appreciate my general practitioner, need my medication, and face a myriad of concerns—from continuity of care to other pressing health issues—which makes this entire experience deeply troubling and perplexing.
Uncertainty Surrounding My Health Incident
I am a 15-year-old girl currently battling a cold, and I also have a confirmed diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Additionally, I suspect I may have POTS, although that's not officially confirmed. Earlier today, I got up to visit the bathroom, which requires navigating around twenty steps from the living room. As I stood up, I noticed my vision starting to blur, but that’s a familiar sensation for me, so I didn’t think anything was amiss. Upon reaching the bathroom, my eyesight faded to complete darkness. Losing my sight entirely isn’t unusual for me, and while frustrating, I merely found it bothersome rather than alarming. Once inside, I turned on the light, and although I couldn’t see it illuminating the room, I heard the click of the switch, indicating it was on. I then attempted to locate the sliding door to close it. However, I misjudged the doorway completely on my first try. I felt it was odd, yet I dismissed it and tried again, but I encountered the same issue. After my second attempt, I experienced significant trembling in my limbs, so intense that I realized I was on the verge of falling. To prevent that, I quickly lowered myself to the floor, remaining blind to my surroundings. After about five seconds, my vision began to return, and I noticed my legs were still shaking. A few seconds later, the shaking subsided, and I regained control over my body. I stood up right after, feeling relatively assured that it wouldn’t happen again, but I opted to sit for safety's sake. This event occurred just a couple of hours ago, and thankfully, it hasn't recurred. Although my vision tends to dim when I stand, that is a typical occurrence for me, and I’ve since retained partial sight. I did not lose consciousness during the incident and have clear memories of the entire experience, without confusion or disorientation afterward. Notably, epilepsy runs in my family; my aunt has it, and my mother’s cousin experienced several seizures a few months back, although he hasn’t had any recently. Personally, I have never fainted, though I’ve come close multiple times. It’s important to mention that I’ve never experienced a seizure before, and I remain uncertain whether what transpired was a seizure or something different altogether.
Severe Pain and Dryness in Hands and Toes: A Continuing Struggle
Subject: Ongoing Hand and Foot Discomfort – Seeking Insight Greetings, medical professionals, For the past several months, I have been dealing with distressing symptoms affecting my hands and feet, and I'm eager for some clarity. I have appointments lined up with an allergist and a dermatologist, but I won’t be able to see them for a few months. My previous tests for autoimmune conditions came back negative, though my ESR levels were elevated. Currently, I’m suffering from significant pain in my toes, resembling joint discomfort. Additionally, both my hands and feet appear swollen, especially with pressure applied. Some fingers have remained swollen for several weeks. According to my recent lab results: - A Complete Blood Count (CBC) revealed chronic anemia, although it has improved since the last test. - A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) indicated slightly elevated liver enzymes, with plans to recheck in three months. - However, my Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) indicated normal kidney function, while ESR results suggest mild inflammation. - Further laboratory results are pending. Moreover, I have noticed extreme dryness in my hands, characterized by peeling and cracking skin. Random bumps have developed on my knuckles, and the itchiness has become unbearable. The sequence of symptoms seems to transition from intense itching to swelling and redness, ultimately leading to dryness, which has persisted since November. I received a seven-day course of steroids for my asthma, which initially facilitated improvement but the symptoms returned, even exacerbated, once the treatment ended. Currently, the issues have spread to my feet, with severe pain specifically in my big toes and discomfort in all of my fingers. My left index finger has been particularly troubling; it became swollen and limited in movement after I attempted to point at something. This relentless cycle of pain has been incredibly draining. Even light pressure causes discomfort due to the pain within my skin and bones. I've experimented with prescription steroid creams, cortisone treatments, and various over-the-counter ointments, but none have provided relief. Since mid-December, breathing has also posed challenges for me. Although I have a rescue inhaler, I haven’t been able to utilize my maintenance inhaler as I am currently nursing, due to potential transfer into breast milk. Additionally, I should mention that the previously mentioned index finger has shown signs of nail pitting near the cuticle, which has also become inflamed, dry, and itchy, alongside my other cuticles. This is quite unusual for me, as I have never experienced dry hands before this episode. I have not introduced any new soaps or cleaning agents into my routine. Any insights or recommendations regarding these symptoms would be greatly appreciated as I navigate this challenging time.