Cortiosteriods query...

[Suzysue]

Last year I was taking Beconase - which contains cortiosteriods - for my Hayfever.. However, I ended up taking it for almost 5 months rather than the recommended 3! At the time I was going through a rather stressful situation and found I was actually having quite intense mood swings... At the time I assumed this was all due to stress but is it possible that taking cortiosteriods for so long could have surpressed my body's abilty to deal with stress? Also, i've been in stressful situaitions since (when not taking Beconase) and have not experienced the same intensity of mood swings. I haven't taken Beconase since september of last year now...  

[doc_steve]

There is no evidence to suggest that Beclometasone Dipropionate (Beconase) affects any mental status, or increases any stress/anxiety levels.

Known side effects are; dryness, irritation of nose and throat, epistaxis and rarely ulceration; nasal septal perforation (usually following nasal surgery) and raised intra-ocular pressure or glaucoma may also occur rarely. Headache, smell and taste disturbances may also occur. Hypersensitivity reactions, including bronchospasm, have been reported, but are very rare.

Have you thought about your diet? Myself as a hayfever sufferer noticed when allergies were in full swing I tended to eat less healthy food, and stick to things which were easy to make as I wasnt wanting to be stood around cooking whilst sneezing, streaming eyes and blowing my nose. I found that I was short tempered and also had mood swings.