I've been on Prednisone since July 2016. Started with 20 mg; 3 months later restarted at 40 mg; am now at 10 mg and tapering. I have blurred vision; can read only for limited periods and have to squint frequently to focus. Expected tapering would reduce these side effects, but so far not.
Hi B,
I've also noticed some blurriness and "bleary" eyed symtoms along with tearing at times in both far and near vision, but so far it clears up after awhile. My start with Prednisone was 15 mg about the same time as you and still stuck at 10.
Did you reduce down to 0 - how did you have to re start at 40?
You do not say why you re-started at 40mgs. Pred. Was this because of vision symptoms? Was it on Your GP's direction? What follow up appointments have you had?.
Your vision symptoms should be taken seriously.
Were you diagnosed with PMR or GCE? If just GCE, 40 is quite a high starting dose. If GCE then probably not high enough given thee symptoms you report.
I think if I were you I would be seeking further advice but it's not clear from your post whether this is the case.
My vision has been wacko for the 3 years I've been on prednisone,. I have my eyes checked at least annually and both my reading and distance vision has varied every time. I see the same eye specialist every time so I don't think I can blame the practitioner. :-) I've wrestled with blurry vision on and off, mostly for distance as I can actually read without my glasses. Because of the constant variation I haven't bothered with new progressive lens until now. I'm having too much difficulty reading some road signs and the prices on shelves in stores, etc. I've ordered inexpensive progressive lens on the internet .
Early on I had difficulty reading my computer screen and got cheap prescription lens specifically for that purpose. As crazy as it sounds, those computer glasses are currently working better for distance than my progressive lens. They are no longer of use for me reading the computer screen.
As I say, WACKO!
I have the blurriness too. My eyes are dry to begin with and I use prescription drops. I find moisturizing my eyes really helps. The dry corneas don't focus well. I also have my eyes checked every six months. The doctor says it's from pred.
I have similar problems and have regular eye tests. I'm at 5mg and still have blurry vision on and off. I don't stress myself over it as it doesn't appear to be serious .....for me anyway.
What dose have you been on for 3 years? Have you suffered the balloon cheeks, "camel back", fatigue, muscle cramps etc.?
At 5 mg, have your side effects---chipmunk cheeks, balance, fatigue etc. dissipated enough for you to feel more like yourself?
When I returned home after 3 months, my rheumatologist thought the doctor from the vacation location started me on too low a dose and thus restarted w 40 mg. I've had blood tests every few months---ESR, Blood sugar etc. I was diagnosed with GCA only, but opted out of the biopsy since its not conclusive.
When I returned home after 3 months, my rheumatologist thought the doctor from the vacation location started me on too low a dose and thus restarted w 40 mg. I had not gone down to 0 at that point.
Drove 10 hours from Palm Springs yesterday---the signs were only visible when I was nearly on top of them! Never thought of the over-the-counter readers---thanks for the suggestion.
All of the above and more. :-) I started on 40 mg 3 years ago after 20 and 25mg failed to releive symptoms. I actual had a total meltdown on 25 mg. I'm currently down to 11 mg after a couple of flares and reducing by only .5 mg at a time. Moon face is going down slowly, as is weight gain (40 pound gain in total). Fatigue haunts me with every reduction for the first few weeks. Also, if I don't pace myself properly. Muscle cramps were something I had before PMR and have remained comtrolled by 100 mg of magnesium daily.
Yes. The Cushingoid face has all but gone. My balance is still a little bit problematic but much better. I have more energy and friends have noticed and remarked on the fact that I am more like my normal self. The weight remains but I don't have the 'lump' on my neck area now so I am hopeful that the weight may start to come off!
Hi Jean
This may or may not be about the pred. Long before PMR I was surprised at the variation in pescriptions opticians gave me for multifocal lenses. Sometimes they were significantly 'weaker' than previous (2 yrs earlier) ones. I think like lots of things we think are more 'scientific' there are lots of variables including the optician's skills and our general state of health at the time we are tested. Think if I get a bigger collection of old glasses I will have lots of 'choice' including just cheap magnifiers. But obviously very necessary for all of us to keep an 'eye' out for any symptoms of GCA. Hope your eye problems get sorted soon though !
Thank Rimmy, you could be right! I've had my current lens and frames for over 10 years so it's time to try the lated 'guess'.. I'll start my own collection of choices. :-)
Best to check with Optometrist.
I had a cataract on my eye after examination last May 2016. The Optometrist said it will be ok for a while. So last week my eyesight being blurry I decided to get checked.
The Optometrist said the Prednisone had increased the Cataract and said I needed it removed. I am booked in.
That's interesting to know---that the cataract was speeded up on the drug. I have one also and while I was checked in December, it would probably be worthwhile to check again. Really, it's all about knowing what questions to ask, is it not? 😉 Thx for your input--- much appreciated.
That gives me hope! I feel like my parents might have been a giant chipmunk and the Hunchback of Norte Dame!😬
Hi, yes I have the blurred vision. Started at 10mg, eyesight was fine, increased to 60mg and it got worse, so had my lens changed, reduced to 10mg again and as I reduced its become better. I had to increase to 40mg again and it got awful and as back down to 10mg it's returning to 'normal' again. Normal at 10mg is still a bit blurry but manageable, I'm hoping as I decrease it'll continue to improve I HOPE!! Hope you're does too!
Thanks so much for your input. I'm at 10 mg and moving toward 9 and on down, but fearing I might have to go back up, so its good to know that the vision problem is probably temporary. Good luck with your journey as well.