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Anyone take prednisone?

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Posted 5/13/2007 10:02 PM (GMT -6)
The doc gave me a weeks worth to quell my allergies/asthma I have heard of some wicked side effects, anyone use this stuff before?
Posted 5/14/2007 1:13 AM (GMT -6)
I have been on prednisone and only side effects was weight gain and highter blood sugar(not a diabetic). My doctor thought it is too hard on the liver so gives me the prednisolone punch packs now instead and no side effects from this so far and it works better for me also. Anyone else use this with better results?
Posted 5/14/2007 10:00 AM (GMT -6)
I have the pill pack for 5 days, I'm scared to take it, he said I had bronchitis and gave me albuterol inhaler, azitromycin antobiotc and this prednisone, after reading the side effects I'm chicken to take it
Posted 5/14/2007 10:07 PM (GMT -6)
Your chances of having side effects taking it just for 5 days is really low. You should have no problem. They always have to list all side effects but most happen in long term use. Take it as your doctor knows when you need it and you eill feel better sooner.
Posted 5/15/2007 4:59 AM (GMT -6)
I would be surprised if you had side effects in that 5 days. It takes a while for steroids to build in your system to create the side effects that you have read about. It's really a great medicine and yes the side effects are scary but the benefit definately out weighs the risks.
Posted 5/15/2007 12:08 PM (GMT -6)
I took 25mg a day for nearly 2 yrs.when i was younger for a blood disorder.I had the moon face plus weight gain,& now wonder if it didn't affect my bone.6 years after taking steroids I was dx with Osteoarthritis at age 26.
Posted 5/15/2007 7:14 PM (GMT -6)

I don't think you need to worry about the side effect of Prednisone for short term use.  Unfortunately, I have had to use it long term for asthma and it does have wicked side effects, but it beats the alternative.  I do like to breathe.  I do not have to take Prednisone every day, but I have had to take it a lot since 2002.  Since then, I have gained about 70 lbs., grown facial hair, luckily my hair is blonde and I also have the hump on the back of my neck.  It also causes my thyroid levels to go crazy.  When I take, it I have trouble sleeping and have mood swings. Again, for me, Prednisone is the difference between life and death.

Posted 5/19/2007 11:19 PM (GMT -6)

I have to take prednisone frequently(a blast about once a year or so) in VERY HIGH doses (start at 120mg)then taper down for MS and orbital inflammatory disorder---let me just say the side effects related to mood swings are the worse---I become beligerant, violent, and evil---this is all very very difficult to control.  I confront people in horrible ways, talk out loud to myself, and basically act psychotic.  I do not excuse this behavior--it is wrong--but let me just say this, it is truly impossible to control. If you find yourself taking high doses have a good support system. I have barly caught myself before striking my kids, then cried in the corner because I can not control the effects of the drug---Why do I take it then?---It stops the problems that I have that debilitate me or can cause me to become blind.  It is for a short term, but the whole time I am on them it is hell.  Bottom line, if you are only worried about the weight gain, or puffy face, this is the least of your problems---the mood swings are just unbearable.  Make sure you have a good family support system and people know you are on it and how they change behavior. If you are on VERY HIGH doses you may want to limit your interaction to people. You may show them a side of you that you do not even know exsists. My son(8) was with me when the doctor said I had to go back on prednisone and he began to cry because he knows how I change when I am on them. I yell, scream, throw things.  It is terrible. There have been times I am fearful to be in the same room with my children--This is where the good support system helps.

Posted 5/20/2007 10:33 PM (GMT -6)

Dondi,

I can't imagine taking 120 mg. of Prednisone!  I did have to have it IV in the ER for an asthma attack a couple of years ago and my life was pure hell. I was still working at that time.  I stayed home for a week.  I wondered at first why my allergist (who treats my asthma) called in Xanax for me to take during the day.  I argued with my adult daughters which I don't usually do.  At that time I lived within a block of the university where I worked and was used to having students walk through my back yard.  That week I was out there screaming at them to get out of my yard and that was with me taking Xanax to calm me down.  Of course when I went back to work I could not continue to take Xanax.  When you have to work and take Prednisone, or as I can see from your post try to take care of children while on Prednisone, it is very difficult.  There are some life-threatening and/or debilitating diseases where some of us have no choice.

I haven't had to take any Prednisone since February.  Dondi, I am hoping you are having a break from it also.  Since last August I have been trying to learn how to adjust to seizure medication, a new adventure.

Carla

Posted 5/21/2007 12:04 AM (GMT -6)

Hello Carla-

I am lucky that I only have to deal with the drug for two weeks this time, as long as it works that is.  If I wasn't a larger lady (height and weight) it would not be such a high dose--At least I took off 55 lbs or I would have had to start at 150 mg and be on it longer. Hopefully by the next time I take it I will have taken off another 55 or more. 

It is a crazy drug, but I only have a few days left, then I will be back to my normal self, which to be honest, has its own list of flaws.  I actually was not aware that there was something I could take that could help with the mood swings.  I see my doctor on Thursday and will talk about this with her for the next time I am on it.  All I know is I hate who I am when I am on it.

I have had IV steriods so many times the doctor is worried about bone loss.  For me, the side effects of the IV are not as bad as this.  A few times I needed both together.

Good luck to you!!

Posted 5/21/2007 9:23 PM (GMT -6)
Hi:)

I have been on prednisone almost every month since March. I have taken 120mg and worked down and also been in the hospital three times for a week each time on IV prednisone since March. I don't get any mood changes at all. I just gain weight mostly and I can lose that. I breath so good on prednisone but all the side effects people talk about scare me so I try to get without it. I am on every asthma med full time so when I have trouble I only have prednisone to fall back on. I finally found my trigger here at home though. We live in a condo, upstairs. The people downstairs dryer vents through my dryer vent and every time they wash, my place fills up with their damp Downey fumes and I am allergic to Downey. I had the vents checked and it was fully plugged and a full garbage bag of lint was removed! It has been a week and I am finally breathing easier and can talk without rasping. So, I was having asthma attack after attack every week. If it starts even a little to smell like Downey again, I am getting the vents cleaned. They were probably plugged since March. Being home was actually killing me. I am hoping this will end my run of bad attacks.
Posted 5/21/2007 10:34 PM (GMT -6)

Ceebee,

You and others around you are very lucky if you don't get the mood swings on Prednisone.  I'm like Dondi; I don't even like myself when I'm on Prednisone.  Last summer when I ended up in the ER with what my daughters thought was a stroke, I was trying to convince them that it was just the Prednisone I was on and that I did not need to go to the ER. They thought at the ER I was having a stroke also.  It was the beginning to my journey to being diagnosed with epilepsy.  My point is, I have such horrible reactions to Prednisone, my left foot could fall off and I would probably just think, oh well,  it's because of Prednisone.

I'm glad you are almost finished with it this time, Dondi.

Carla

Posted 5/22/2007 1:57 AM (GMT -6)
Hi another day:)

My doctor gave me prednisolone this last time and it is easier on the body as prednisone has to be made into predisolone by the liver. It is a six day punch pack. Ask your doctor if this would work for you. I felt great on it and actually lost 8 pounds while on it. Good luck. Nice meeting you:)
Posted 5/22/2007 8:23 AM (GMT -6)
For 5 days you should be ok. It will work wonders for the inflammation in your lungs and it will help speed up your recovery. I cannot tolerate any kind of a steroid any longer, but when I could it sure helped with the bronchitis and allergies. I now have COPD from smoking and years of getting bronchitis. I am now on oxygen 24/7.

Susie
Posted 5/22/2007 8:23 AM (GMT -6)
For 5 days you should be ok. It will work wonders for the inflammation in your lungs and it will help speed up your recovery. I cannot tolerate any kind of a steroid any longer, but when I could it sure helped with the bronchitis and allergies. I now have COPD from smoking and years of getting bronchitis. I am now on oxygen 24/7.

Susie
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