Hi Beth, when I started Prednisone, I started at 40 mg and felt fine...The side effects started to kick in a few weeks after (2-3)...Although, I really haven't had major side effects...I just get a little irriatable and have a huge appetite...I weighed 135 when I started pred about 5 months ago, and now I weigh about 145, so I have gained a little weight...Nothing too drastic...I've tapered off a couple of different times, and as the doseage decreases, my huge appetite and irriatability seems to diminish...My face in a little bit more round, but still, not too bad...I do know that pred seems to effect people in all different ways...That's just my experience...Hope you do well!!
Brandie