OpenHealth Q&A

Experiencing Hallucinations on Prednisone

During a period of distress, I developed a bizarre rash on my back, unlike anything I'd encountered before. Unsure of its origin, I captured a photo and sent it to my physician. She recommended a topical ointment, which unfortunately didn’t alleviate my discomfort. After reaching out again, she prescribed a week-long course of prednisone, a medication I had never taken prior. As someone who usually researches new prescriptions—considering my regimen includes antidepressants, medication for blood pressure, thyroid supplements, and occasionally things for anxiety or sleep—I quickly looked into prednisone. My heart sank when I noticed "insomnia" on the list of potential side effects, as that was already a prevalent issue for me. Taking the first dose, I found myself sleeping soundly for nearly 48 hours. I woke up to what I thought was the television playing in another room, only to discover that it wasn't turned on. I could distinctly hear a deep male voice reminiscent of vintage news broadcasts, perhaps like Walter Cronkite, but there was no one present. I dismissed it as mere building noises. Little did I know, this was the onset of my auditory hallucinations. Soon after, visual hallucinations began to take hold. Although I can’t precisely recall the sequence of what I saw, several moments stand out: In my bedroom, there are French doors with curtains that suddenly began to sway without any apparent cause. I searched for drafts or anything that could explain the movement, but found nothing. The curtains continued to billow for several days. At one point, I perceived a shoe lodged behind the sofa, which transformed into the leg of a whole person trapped underneath, straining to push free. The couch itself seemed to shift. While I felt a mix of fear and absurd amusement, I called my son for help. He assured me there was nothing there, and for reasons I can’t quite grasp, I accepted that my vision was misleading. I eventually came to understand that I was indeed experiencing hallucinations. One night, after a social outing—though I should note I was driving on busy highways while experiencing difficulties steering—I made my way down the stairs leading to my condo. At the base, I noticed heavy outdoor steps that drop down to a hallway leading to a crawlspace. This area felt slightly eerie, even when sane. As I descended, something scuttled across my foot, prompting a jolt of surprise; I couldn’t see what it was. Upon reaching the bottom, I was confronted by an enormous spider web, sprawling like a badminton net and teeming with spiders the size of my hand, all scurrying about with frantic energy. I told myself, "You are hallucinating. Go ahead and touch the web to confirm it’s not there." As I approached with my hand outstretched, tiny, shadowy figures—almost like hobbits—rushed from the back of the hallway towards me. Recognizing that they weren’t real, I quickly abandoned my plan and hurried inside my condo. One evening, while inspecting my back in the mirror—possibly to check on the rash—I noticed a familiar mole near my left shoulder blade. As I reached to touch it, I mistakenly identified it as a tick that began crawling away from me, its legs clear to see. It felt distressing to think it was buried beneath my skin, leading me to irrationally start digging at it with my nails. I briefly considered fetching tweezers but continued my frantic effort, even as I recognized I was misidentifying the mole. I rummaged through a bottle to store what I believed were remnants of the tick, even going so far as to collect small fragments in a tissue. When morning came, I excitedly planned to share my findings with my son, only to discover that both the fragments and the tissue had vanished from the bottle entirely. Eventually, I woke up one morning to find that the curtains were no longer moving. This realization confirmed that the hallucinations had ceased. Over the subsequent days, I struggled to succinctly convey my experiences in an email to my doctor, overwhelmed by the task of organizing my thoughts. My son and I researched prednisone to confirm side effects, and there it was in fine print—"hallucinations"—noted as an uncommon occurrence. When I shared my vivid experiences with my doctor during a follow-up, her nonchalant reaction left me feeling rather perplexed. Did she encounter such cases often? Did she believe me? In a twist of fate, my sister, who has rheumatoid arthritis, soon mentioned her doctor was prescribing her increased doses of prednisone due to inadequate pain relief. Alarmed, I recounted my own ordeal, but she countered that she would prefer to hallucinate than endure discomfort. I couldn’t genuinely argue with that logic. Remarkably, she hasn’t reported any complications thus far, which leads me to wonder if the adverse reactions are not inherently genetic. To this day, I sometimes hear whispers of that old newscaster's voice, lingering in my mind.

Answers (1)

9/3/2025, 11:50:56 PM

OpenHealth AI

Experiencing hallucinations while taking prednisone is understandably concerning and can be quite distressing. Here’s a structured breakdown of your situation and helpful steps moving forward.

Summary

1. Understanding Hallucinations on Prednisone: Hallucinations can occur as a side effect of prednisone, though they are rare. This medication can affect mood and perception, especially in sensitive individuals or those with pre-existing mental health conditions.
2. Symptoms and Concerns: You've experienced auditory and visual hallucinations, which have caused significant distress. It's important to approach this matter thoughtfully and with care.

Explanation

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can cause a range of side effects, including mood changes and, in some instances, hallucinations. The superficial mechanism involves the drug's impact on the brain and hormone levels. Each person can react differently to medication, and your history of depression and anxiety may heighten your sensitivity to these effects.

It's crucial to recognize that although your experience with hallucinations was unsettling, they have now ceased. However, feeling at ease after such experiences is understandably challenging.

Next Steps

1. Monitor Your Symptoms: Begin keeping a journal to note any symptoms, especially concerning mood changes or perceived hallucinations. Documenting your experiences can help you and your healthcare provider assess patterns over time.

2. Discuss Medication Adjustments: Reach out to your physician to discuss your experiences with hallucinations critically. You may need an adjustment in your prednisone dosage or an alternative treatment. If your physician doesn’t seem responsive, consider seeking a second opinion for reassurance and clarity about your medication.

3. Evaluate Mental Health Support: Consider speaking to a mental health professional, especially given your history of depression and anxiety. They can provide strategies to cope with any remaining anxiety related to your experiences and support your overall mental well-being.

4. Communicate with Your Family: Keep your family informed about your experiences and how you feel. Sharing your journey can help them support you more effectively, especially your son, who seems already concerned.

5. Stay Informed: Continue researching prednisone and its effects alongside your treatment plan. Understanding your medication empowers you to engage better with your healthcare team.

6. Prioritize Self-Care: Focus on stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, deep breathing, or gentle exercise. These strategies can support both your mental and physical health.

Remember, your experiences are valid, and seeking clarity and support is essential. Don't hesitate to advocate for your health and well-being. If new symptoms arise, or if you feel overwhelmed by your experiences, reach out for help promptly.