It does for me. I don't sleep much and I'm moody as hell but clears my mind for sure.

I recently had an appointment with my rheumy and he said the reason why he put me on 5mg of prednisone is because it protects the brain because of the Lupus. I wanted him to take me off but when I heard that I changed my mind. I rather take it for the brain rather than not to.

I'm so glad to hear that! Can anyone else tell me about your experiences with Prednisone and brain fog?

I was diagnosed with Lupus about 15 years ago and then 6 years ago was suffering from severe and constant headaches as well as brain fog (memory issues?). I was referred to a Neurologist who did a brain scan which showed lots of little which dots = which she says indicates brain 'involvement' . She prescirbed medication specifically for brain function, neurontin and trepeline. Pain is basically gone and memory and cognitive functioning is better but not great. I am also on 5mg prednisone daily (used to take chloroquine but have developed eye-related problems so unfortunately have had to stop. When I was taking chloroquinine I was only taking the prednison every second day) So for me I think it's a combination of things that have helped with my brain functioning. My neurologist says it's extremely important to exercise one's brain with all types of mental exercises. Luminosity which often advertises on this site is a great option but one has to pay and have internet access for it. She says that the brain is a huge underused organ and can learn new pathways for doing things = hence forcing it to do mental exercises is the right preventive treatment for long term brain functioning.
Hope this helps.

I'm on 20 mg Prednisone and it has helped my brain frog and my overall mental attitude. I felt a difference within a week. I still have the overwhelming anxious fatigue that hits me by noon every day but my brain is more alert.

I guess Im the odd one out because I have been on steroids for 2.5 years now and it hasnt helped my brain fog/ issues at all. They have actually gotten worse but I think this is from the disease itself. It causes me severe mental problems actually. If I miss half a dose I feel like Im going insane (literally) and I have not been able to taper down on it even 2mg due to the mental effects (along with physical but the mental is the WORST). This drug has been both a life saver and a deal with the devil and unless it is absolutely necessary, which it IS in some cases, I would never suggest taking steroids on a regular basis just for brain fog. Taking a pack of it is totally different then being on it full time. They are just not good to be on full time and can have long term side effects besides the side effects they cause while on them (moodiness, weightgain, insomnia, adrenal failure, osteoperosis (which I already have now), etc.). I have actually been crying the past two days over this exact issue. I want off the steroids so badly and I dont know how I am going to do it. I am also on Paxil for anxiety and panic disorder so maybe this has something to do with the way the steroids affects my brain and why I am so sensitive to tapering and the mental side effects. Since you are on similar drugs, I would hate for this to happen to you.

Please know that Im not trying to sound harsh, Im just being honest about my experience with this drug. I HAD to go on it because of inflamation and damadge but if and when I get off of it, I dont ever want to go on it again because of the mental issues it causes me. Had I known how awful it was going to affect me I may not have ever started it full time. Also, I have never heard of a rheumy giving prednisone just for brain fog, its that bad for us long term. Usually they are against giving it unless there is no other option or inflamation is sky high. Please read up on long term use of steroids. Its not just a little pill, it completely changes our body function and hormones. The main hormone that we need to survive.....And, just to make sure you are aware of this, you cant just stop taking prednisone. You need to taper down on it. It can be very dangerous to stop cold turkey. Please know Im telling you this out of concern. Not because I think steroids is an awful drug.I actually wish I could be on this drug forever but this is not an option. Its given me a life back but I wish wish wish there was a different drug that had the same effects that didnt mess up our bodies so much.
Hugs

Melissa, another odd one here. Prednisone made my brain fog much much worse but my neuro says there are 2 types with the prednisone-those that love it, those that don't. It took me 2 months after being on the prednisone to feel like my brain was back. Sure I still get brain fog but it is not constant now. The prednisone did save me, of that I have no doubt but I hope I'm never in that position again.

Sorry, typo 2 months of being prednisone free to feel better. I usually don't correct typo's but that made no sense.

luvmyanimals: you don't sound harsh. The rheumy didn't prescribe the Prednisone just for the brain fog, though. I'm having a lot of other problems like with pain and stiffness in joints... you know, the normal stuff the comes along with this wretched disease.

Pred. clears my mind because it winds me up, gives me energy, and stops pain and rashes. However, it does so at the price of preventing me from getting a wink of sleep or a bit of rest. I eat everything in sight and I get psycho from it. I have always just taken it only occasionally, but the side effects get worse with each round. It's getting so that I'd rather avoid it all the time. It's both a great drug and a horrible drug. Whether you continue depends on how you feel. But Melissa and Red are right, tapering off after prolonged use can be really awful. Good luck with it.

in summer 2010 was told I have an unspecified autoimmune disease - guessing it is probably going to end up being lupus based on what I have read, or similar to it. Have suffered brain fog for over 2 years, but in that time, my dad became ill, died, I dropped out of dual grad programs and moved from SF to Ohio to be with mom. Depression, life turned topsy turvy and now only making 10k a year and getting no unemployment so stress is maximized plus I am beginning to ramp up to menopause. Both those cause brain fog. Was put on pred 10mg a day (after a high dose intro) and got my brain back. Took self off after taper (I researched the long term evils of pred) and within days brain fog returned. 3 days before xmas, started a short course of pred 40 mg x 3 days, then 20, then 15, 10 and 5. Two days after stopping brain fog is returning. I have not taken pred for more than 6 weeks at one whack. It scares me, but so does the inability to function that brain fog creates. I am only on generic plaquenil at the moment and not really willing to start on anti-depressants because they scare me.

I'm another odd one, I still have brain fog, it's getting better as the steroids are being reduced. I'm on Medrol which from what I understand is stronger then predisone. When I was on 30mg I was messed up, eating, anxiety, depression, insomina and the brain fog but now as the steroids are being reduced all those symptoms are less and less bothersome. I'm down to 6mg daily and the only thing i feel is more fatigue.

wolfgang described my experience... i hate pred but it does help i have to admit... im not sure but i think it also makes my hair shed a lot but i am on 60mgs a day at the moment (terrible ten day hospital flare)... i eat everything and take cat naps....

pred is good stuff and i hope it helps with the brain fog... i hear my mom saying "come on girl get it out" lol its like i forget in mid convo lol

-just laugh it will make u feel better

I hated to admit to my rheumy that I had less pain and was more clear with the prednisone, but I was only on it temporarily until the mtx kicked in. I was irritible and couldn't sleep and couldn't wait to get off of it. I can't say it got rid of the fog, but it was better. I'm off it now, and it doesn't seem that the mtx is doing anything, but it is still being tapered up.

I hope you find something that helps you.

Antidepressants help with brain fog too. I know they helped me with it maybe not for everyone. They help clear your mind and do give you energy. You never know, brain fog could be mistaken for depression too. Not all symptoms of depression are the same. Fogginess, fatigue, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating can all be caused from the chemicals in your brain not properly firing. People with depression often have these same types of issues with brain fog.There is truly nothinng to be scared about. They have some minor side effects for the first couple weeks but are considered safe to take long term. The only thing they watch out for is taking them during pregnancy.