Topical Steroids and adverse Psychological Effects

[neese]

Well I learn something new every day..(that's a good thing!)

On a thread over in the conversations board it was mentioned that topical steriods can effect your mental state

PJ if I may quote you:
If you are using lots over much of your bdy, your emotinal state may be affected by that medication. In fact, steroid use and systemic absorbtion can cause several adverse emotional and psychological effects.

I had no idea! I know they thin the skin but never thought about this effect. I suppose I knew that the steroids sports figures take to beef up had adverse effects but i never thought TOPICAL steroids could have an adverse psychological effect!

Will you please give more information on this I'd like to read more about it.

And, if others have had this experience I'd like to hear your story.

Thanks!
Denise

[chaimFL]

It's a common side effect of oral steroids (such as prednisone) and since the topical version is the same drug in a different format, it can have the same effect. Keep in mind that the amount necessary to create such an effect is real high. I am over stating the scenario here, but you would almost have to use the steroids as a body lotion to have that effect. I've been using topical steroids on and off for 15 years and I have currently 30% coverage and I have not had any side effects other than the lovely rebounds.

[MikeK]

According to PDRhealth.com, extensive or long-term use of topical steroids being absorbed into the bloodstream may cause Cushing's Syndrome. Symptom's of Cushing's syndrome may include:

Acne, depression, excessive hair growth, high blood pressure, humped upper back, insomnia, moon-faced appearance, muscle weakness, obese trunk, paranoia, stretch marks, stunted growth (in children), susceptibility to bruising, fractures, and infections, wasted limbs

Cushing's syndrome may also trigger diabetes mellitus. As you can see, depression and paranoia are one of the many listed symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome.

Source: http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/elo1157.shtml.

Note: I went to PDRhealth.com and did a search for "Cushing's Syndrome". I got multiple hits. The link that I posted is from their discussion of Elocon 0.1%. The NPF's Steroid Classification Chart lists Elocon 0.1% as a Class 2 - Potent Steroid. F.Y.I., steroids are grouped -- by strength -- into 7 different classifications. The lower the number the stronger the steroid, so a Class 2 steroid is pretty strong. Here's a link to a thread that includes a post that has a copy of the NPF's Steroid Classification Chart: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?threadid=6255.

Mike

[neese]

Originally posted by MikeK
quote:
Acne, depression, excessive hair growth, high blood pressure, humped upper back, insomnia, moon-faced appearance, muscle weakness, obese trunk, paranoia, stretch marks, stunted growth (in children), susceptibility to bruising, fractures, and infections, wasted limbs

Cushing's syndrome may also trigger diabetes mellitus.

Oh my goodness...
those symptoms and "Elocon" (which i use!) used in the same message just made me queasy :(

What's a "moon-face"? :eek:

[hkowalczyk]

I would say you have to use a lot of steroids for those symptoms, I've been using Ultravate, a potent steroid, for 7 months now over 100% of my body (except the private areas) with none of those side effects.

-Henri

[winter]

As a long time user of steriodal medications, chiefly cortisone in cream and injections, I have not noticed any of the side effects listed above. It may be that I am fortunate in the experience I have had with its use. Remember that at one time all we had were steroids, tar and light. Many of the other things that I tried did not improve my psoriasis. The injections were much more effective than the creams etc. I wonder what the percentages of affectation were? Anyone know?