On drugs !

I was on steroids when I got married (nearly 40 years ago!). My wedding photos are evidence of the hamster cheeks - I was very skinny, because I'd been so poorly, but I had a shiny moon face. Not the look I would have chosen as a bride, but the date was set long before the medicine was prescribed. Don't know about mood swings. I remember feeling euphoric at times and enraged at others, but I think that was due to the wedding (and my lovely/annoying husband-to-be) rather than the pills.

They are pretty powerful, though. Wouldn't be surprised if they can affect your mood.

Rosina I had a prolonged bug which started at the end of Feb, mainly coughing, eventually pneumonia, I went completely deaf in one ear and lost all sense of taste and smell. I was convinced they would never come back. The loss stayed for several weeks and then, almost imperceptibly, I began to taste and smell again. My hearing blip then righted itself too. I feel for you because you are convinced st the time you'll never get the senses back again. It seems, at least in my case, to return gradually.
So I'm sure you will get your senses back too.

Years ago I was given an anti-inflammatory drug, not a steroid, which made me agoraphobic. I was unable to go to the local shop 50 yds away. Dr. seemed not to believe me but it was genuine and cleared up when I stopped taking the drug. You never know how you will respond to medication.

I hope the effects of the steroids soon wear off.

My husband is on prednisone, is into his 3rd year. In conjunction with the sleep difficulties, I notice the 'tetchiness' all the time.

Yes * Rosina* I am totally pissed off as I am normally fit and well. I have learned a number of things from this experience.

The number of people who emailed, phoned, sent flowers and texted, together with messages and PMs from GN kept me going. plus my WI.

One of my oldest friends has only just got in touch to check me out and only really wanted to know if I was better, not interested I how shit I felt.

I am going to be far more thoughtful to ill friends in future and keep in touch more and send them cards.

My DH has put up with my hyper self, made me tea, coffee and generally been the kind man I know him to be.

My 3 year old grandson, who us often a little devil, offered to look after me if I went to stay.

Finally I am the lucky one, my counterpart Gran has terminal cancer, she is highly unlikely to recover, with a fair wind behind me and a bit of patience I will get better. Thank God (or what ever you believe in) for that.

Thank you Jane - that was a really soothing message to read. I don't know anyone else that this has happened to when it has lasted for quite a few weeks. I am really twitchy that it won't come back, but I suppose in nature things do take a while and I mustn't be impatient. Off to ENT clinic next week so hoping they will be encouraging too.

Rosina I once had a bad cold/flu and lost my sense of taste. It was most peculiar -however, it did return. It seemed to take a while though but is as good as it ever was.

Thanks, NanKate - I can see you have quite a few conditions that must be driving you mad right now, so congratulations for keeping the sense of humour afloat - vital.

I knew the painkillers I used occasionally made me chatty and happy. Now (on advice) I'm taking more but some without opiate and am just muzzy headed and lethargic. I'm mostly less interested in food which can't be bad.

NanKate - I think that's what one of my friends has. She takes morphine and that seems to have a similar effect - she's euphoric, seems a bit tipsy all the time.

Hi All, my fear of big dogs has got worse and I take a stick with me when I am walking to protect myself. What a silly old s*d I am.

PMR is Polymyalgia Rheumatica an auto immune disease which does go in time, what I want to know is when.

Rosina I have oral thrush had it over a month and they can't at present get rid of it, so that is affecting my taste etc. Perhaps you should check if you have that too. You can ask your pharmacist to have a look at your tongue, as getting a doctor's appointment is as likely as being hit by an asteroid.

As you can see I am rather cynical about getting medical help.

I'm not sure what PMR is, but if it's painful the euphoria could be partly because the pain has gone?
I've never taken the drug orally, but I had a cortisone injection in an arthritic foot joint, and it was marvellous to be without pain.

'Sorry to jump on your bandwagon, NanKate, and I sympathise with your outburst - I unfortunately say this sort of thing without steroids! I am getting rather desperate and just wonder if anyone else has had a similar event; had flu at Easter and lost my sense of taste and smell within the first week; it's driving me mad and in the great scheme of things I know I am lucky not to have worse, but has anyone else suffered this and - PLEASE tell me it's a 'yes' - got the senses back eventually? As I have dodgy hearing and also wear contact lenses, I am only left with 'touch' unimpaired as I certainly don't have a sixth sense. If I did I could probably answer my own question! I can detect a slight whiff of some aromas if I hold the item under my nose, but it's intermittent - and no 'taste' whatsoever. Thanks fellow Gransnetters.

It is interesting how medication can change you. I once went on a course of epilepsy tablets for migraine. Whilst I was on them my phobia of spiders, which is extreme I admit, almost completely disappeared as did my addiction to chocolate. However, after I came off them I gradually became more phobic and started to fancy chocolate again. No amount of telling myself that it is the chemical reaction to 8 legged monsters; the revulsion and panic is instant. NanKate enjoy your euphoria whilst it lasts, people will probably just think you are fun to be around rather than embarrassing.

Will PM you Kupari

Hello Again NanKate
Snap!. I'm also taking Pred for PMR.Diagnosed 6 weeks ago. It was amazing how quickly the pain disappeared however I'm all over over the place now. I go to bed shattered then at 2am I wake up ready to go for a long walk with our dog. Needless to say DH is not amused!
Just been told by G.P. I have to come off the Pred very very slowly. So it looks like we have some interesting weeks ahead. Part of me can see the funny side of things, dont know this new person who is me, who can take on the world! Going on holiday to Fife Coast later this month, hope the energy side holds out. Good Luck.

We're going to our son's tomorrow for a BBQ to celebrate his little boy's 3rd birthday. Come along - he's got a huge garden, with a trampoline, a basketball net, a hot tub. You'd be in your element!!

I wish the euphoric was nice. I feel like a boring drunk at a party. Just going for a walk to try and sober up.

If anyone asks me in to join their BBQ I might just take up their offer.

flipping autocorrect! gobbier, not gobbler

Oh kitty I can imagine how embarrassed you must have felt at the time - how easily we can open our mouths and put our size 9s in .

NanKate just be grateful that you're getting the euphoric mood change - so much more enjoyable than being weepy (even if a tad embarrassing at times )

I haven't had these mood changes while being on steroids. But then again, I usually open my mouth before I've put my brain in gear, so I don't think anyone would notice if I got a bit gobbler

It was years ago and I (nor Dh and children) have forgotten it. I'm blushing now!!

Oh Kitty how awful. You have made me feel better though.

I wasn't on anything the day I very gently pointed out to the receptionist in our hotel that she had ink on her face. I felt like taking something when she said 'Actually, it's a birthmark!'

Thanks for the support.

I am on 15 mg for the last 3 weeks, this afternoon I felt in a drugged state. It's affecting my sleep so I am either zonko or hyper. I will start reducing in a couple of weeks time.

Next weekend I am having an early 70th Birthday get together with the grandchildren and family, I just hope I don't embarrass them all. The kids will think it's great as they are hyper all the time

No, I have been off my food for a number of weeks and have lost weight. However I now split all my food into more meals, less food and I am following more or less the thread on low carbs/high fat and it is working really well.

No my face his looking thinner than ever, but my stomach has a bit of fat on it.

Kupari I hope you are making progress, I am but rather slowly, I have PMR.

I hope the J W don't come to my door in case I say a word my DH would not approve of from his wife like 'Whatsit Off'.

I agree with Lona