Prednisone at night?

Hey there!

Last night I was up late (prednisone insomnia). When I started to finally doze off, it was around 2. Now normally I set my alarm for 6:30 to take 15 mg prednisone because any later than that and I never sleep, plus all the other daytime side effects you all know about (crazy thoughts, all pepped up, no focus, late night munchies).

Last night, I decided to try something new: I took the 15mg at 2am. I figured what the heck - only 4 hours difference, and maybe I'll sleep in.

I WAS able to sleep in, which was surprising. Also, I woke up feeling good - and for me the AM is usually a battle against all odds. I feel energized but not crazed (usually my prednisone "high" kicks in around 2 or 3 pm).

So my questions for you guys are:

1. Do you know of any negative side effects to taking P at night before bed (stomach?)?
2. Has anyone else tried this and had a similar experience?

I will let you know if I continue this experiment, and how it goes.

Oh - and full disclosure - just finished 4 rounds rituxamab, first time, about 4 weeks ago. Numbers only crept from 24 to 40 so far, but I have felt much comfort reading posts about how it can take longer.

Thanks!

PS: I took it w food, and 10 mg famotidine.

Well, Prednisone should ideally be taken in the morning because it corresponds with the time when the body produces the most cortisol. Also, I would think if taken in the morning, the side effects would wear off by bed time. It's not a very high dose.

I take 15 mg's every morning (have for years) and have not had issues with sleeping.

I am on 60 mg. I started a series of treatments today and took the prednisone around 2:00pm. I couldn't fall asleep until around 1:30 am and then spent a restless night sleeping. (I am really itchy) and then woke up at 5:00am. I have a really difficult time sleeping while taking prednisone. Do you think that it would be better to take it in the morning?

If you are on alternate-day therapy or have been prescribed a single daily dose, take prednisone in the morning with breakfast, before 9 a.m. If you have been prescribed several doses per day, take them at evenly spaced intervals around the clock.

www.pdrhealth.com/drugs/prednisone

It should be taken in the morning. However, when I was on the high doses I wasn't able to do that. I tried, but I was a complete basket case at work. I couldn't think or talk to save my life. I shook constantly and felt like I drank 50 cups of espresso. I did space the doses out but still didn't have problems sleeping. I was exhausted by the time I went to bed (stressful job and 3 kids).

Has been a few yrs since I used P, so I cannot remember what time I took it. I work nights and went through some pretty bad insomnia spells.

That is helpful. Right now I am mostly concerned with sleeping. I work a full-time job, but I feel like I cannot do much of anything if I cannot sleep. I am hoping that by taking the 60 mg of prednisone in the morning will allow me to sleep better at night. Speaking of which, I am exhausted. Happy New Year's!

I was told to take it before 8 in the morning which is what I did. I think I slept as well as I normally do although I did used to get a whole lot done before breakfast as it would give me heaps of energy. That was the upside of the drug.

When I was taking 75mg of prednisone I was splitting the dose, taking 50 mg in the morning and 25mg in the afternoon, the doctor made me stop and take all in the morning, as early as possible. He also gave me some sleeping tablets to take as I was only sleeping for about 3 hours at night, hard to function at work with 3 hours sleep, but that didn't really work to much better, no easy answer to the sleep and pred thing.

The body naturally makes it in the morning that's why one should take it in the morning. I took all 60mg in the morning - with food, never was told to take anything for stomach with it so luckily I still do have a stomach.

I had sleep problems even taking it in the morning.

I split my dose between morning and night until I got down to 10mg and just took it with breakfast. On 80mg (40-40) I would wake up freezing cold in a pool of sweat. I was only on that dose 4 days while in the hospital, and the effect was less each night, even on the same dose. At 60mg, I did 40 in the AM and 20 in the PM. At 50mg, 30-20, then 20-20, 20-10, 10-10, 10-5, 10. As I tapered the sweating got mild and then went away. I didn't notice any other side effects except more energy and focus on less sleep. I was usually able to sleep fine, but when life got in the way of sleep, I didn't feel like I needed as much sleep on Prednisone.

For some reason I have never thought of splitting my dose. I started this series on Friday and so far my sleep is the thing being most impacted. I forgot how I get itchy at night from the prednisone. That is probably a bad sign. I am trying to be more grateful for the time that I do get to sleep and when I am awake I am trying to use my time in more productive ways. My house is so clean!!! Thank you for your suggestion.

Good News! My platelet count was at 4 and then after taking prednisone for 5 days it jumped to 732! Now I am in the process of tapering off of the prednisone. Still having problems sleeping, even at 40. Luckily my hematologist prescribed ativan with the prednisone, as it helps with the nervous side effects and causes me to feel drowsy. Speaking of which, good night!

Thanks all - I actually went back to taking it in the morning, as early as possible.

I am taking 100mg of prednisone in the morning with breakfast, have no problem sleeping, actually went to bed an hour earlier than usual...downside was I woke up at the crack of dawn lol.
I was told to take my dose no later than lunch time