prednisone side-effects
Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Hi Everyone > After some 5 blissful years on Singulair only, my asthma has returned with a > vengeance. It is usually a case of cold/flu –> bronchitis –> asthma, four > times already this year. Sometimes I get it under control to the point > where it is just coughing, and almost normal peak flows. After the latest > bout, my pulmonologist now opted for 40mg prednisone daily for three weeks. > After the first week there is still no signs of improvement. > This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis in > particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really > bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage > treatments. What are your experiences ? > The fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of choices for me really. > But if I’m in for some unfortunate side-effects, I should be able to do some > things to get them counter-acted. What advice could you give me in this > regard?
I did all the reading I could on this subject a few months ago. At least one doctor offered that long-term side effects are only a concern after 3 months of prednisone in normal doseages (of course, the doseage matters, I’m sure). I have also heard and read that the latest wisdom suggests a high dose gradually tapering. The last time I was given prednisone (happily for me it was a few years ago), it was 60mg on day 1, 50 on day 2, and so on, until 10mg on day 6. This was supposed to be as effective or more effective than taking 30-40mg for 10 days straight and easier on the rest of you. I’ve never had it prescribed to me for more than 10 days in a row but I have had no improvement after the first course of medicine. The recommendation has always been to wait a few days and, if there’s still no improvement, start another course. For me, several times the few days wait after the first course was over made the difference because that’s when I started to feel improvement. Hope this helps some. -S-
Response:
Hi Everyone After some 5 blissful years on Singulair only, my asthma has returned with a vengeance. It is usually a case of cold/flu –> bronchitis –> asthma, four times already this year. Sometimes I get it under control to the point where it is just coughing, and almost normal peak flows. After the latest bout, my pulmonologist now opted for 40mg prednisone daily for three weeks. After the first week there is still no signs of improvement. This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis in particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage treatments. What are your experiences ? The fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of choices for me really. But if I’m in for some unfortunate side-effects, I should be able to do some things to get them counter-acted. What advice could you give me in this regard? Thanks for your support ! Regards Jacob
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Hi Jacob. Pred used for a long term can cause a lot of arthritis issues. 40mg is not that high of a dose but ask your dr about taking something to protect your bones like calcium with D. UM MOM Susan
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone > After some 5 blissful years on Singulair only, my asthma has returned with a > vengeance. It is usually a case of cold/flu –> bronchitis –> asthma, four > times already this year. Sometimes I get it under control to the point > where it is just coughing, and almost normal peak flows. After the latest > bout, my pulmonologist now opted for 40mg prednisone daily for three weeks. > After the first week there is still no signs of improvement. > This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis in > particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really > bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage > treatments. What are your experiences ? > The fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of choices for me really. > But if I’m in for some unfortunate side-effects, I should be able to do some > things to get them counter-acted. What advice could you give me in this > regard? > Thanks for your support ! > Regards > Jacob
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone > After some 5 blissful years on Singulair only, my asthma has returned with a > vengeance. It is usually a case of cold/flu –> bronchitis –> asthma, four > times already this year. Sometimes I get it under control to the point > where it is just coughing, and almost normal peak flows. After the latest > bout, my pulmonologist now opted for 40mg prednisone daily for three weeks. > After the first week there is still no signs of improvement. > This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis in > particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really > bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage > treatments. What are your experiences ? > The fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of choices for me really. > But if I’m in for some unfortunate side-effects, I should be able to do some > things to get them counter-acted. What advice could you give me in this > regard? > Thanks for your support ! > Regards > Jacob
The most common error made, if it is decided that steroids must be used, is to start with too low a dose during the first several days. You may now be in a situation of needing an increase, to catch up on your asthma, before again trying to taper to a low dose and then off the drug. If you give enough initially, let’s say 80 mg/day, for several days until the asthma breaks, you can then taper more rapidly. A high initial dose does not increase the long-term side effects, and usually shortens the duration of steroid treatment. I am not saying that your doctor began an improper dose, as this is a matter of experience and of evaluation of an individual case, but as a general point for all to consider when pushed to the point of need for steroids. Remember, there is no such thing as an acute overdose or poisonous single dose of prednisone. Larry
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> Hi Everyone > After some 5 blissful years on Singulair only, my asthma has returned with a > vengeance. It is usually a case of cold/flu –> bronchitis –> asthma, four > times already this year. Sometimes I get it under control to the point > where it is just coughing, and almost normal peak flows. After the latest > bout, my pulmonologist now opted for 40mg prednisone daily for three weeks. > After the first week there is still no signs of improvement. > This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis in > particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really > bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage > treatments. What are your experiences ?
It raised my blood pressure. A lot. My blood pressure was normal without it. With it, it shot up to 166 (and might have gone higher if I hadn’t stopped it). — Steven D. Litvintchouk
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>This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis in >particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really >bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage >treatments. What are your experiences ?
I would not expect long-term side effects form this ‘pred burst.’ Do not surprised if you experience short-term side effects. (Many of which will make you uncomfortable.) >The fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of choices for me really. >But if I’m in for some unfortunate side-effects, I should be able to do some >things to get them counter-acted. What advice could you give me in this >regard?
Follow the instructions and take the pred with food. Otherwise, take each side effect as it comes. "They laughed at Galileo. They laughed at Newton But they also laughed at Bozo the Clown." Carl Sagan
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone > This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis in > particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really > bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage > treatments. What are your experiences ? > The fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of choices for me really. > But if I’m in for some unfortunate side-effects, I should be able to do some > things to get them counter-acted. What advice could you give me in this > regard? > Thanks for your support ! > Regards > Jacob
There is a variety of side-effects. For the muscle/joint aches, I use long, hot baths to relax and indulge in a professional massage occasionally. If you are to be on pred for quite a while, then have your eyes tested for glaucoma periodically and get a DEXA (bone density) test since there can be bone mineral loss. Include potassium/calcium rich foods in your diet, and watch your salt intake. Always take pred with food to avoid stomach miseries.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi Everyone > This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis > in > particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really > bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage > treatments. What are your experiences ? > The fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of choices for me > really. > But if I’m in for some unfortunate side-effects, I should be able to do > some > things to get them counter-acted. What advice could you give me in this > regard? > Thanks for your support ! > Regards > Jacob > There is a variety of side-effects. For the muscle/joint aches, I use long, > hot baths to relax and indulge in a professional massage occasionally. If > you are to be on pred for quite a while, then have your eyes tested for > glaucoma periodically and get a DEXA (bone density) test since there can be > bone mineral loss. Include potassium/calcium rich foods in your diet, and > watch your salt intake. Always take pred with food to avoid stomach > miseries.
Long term use can also cause cateracts. sue
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->After some 5 blissful years on Singulair only, my asthma has returned with a >vengeance. It is usually a case of cold/flu –> bronchitis –> asthma, four >times already this year. Sometimes I get it under control to the point >where it is just coughing, and almost normal peak flows. After the latest >bout, my pulmonologist now opted for 40mg prednisone daily for three weeks. >After the first week there is still no signs of improvement. >This scares me. I am really worried about the side effects (osteoporosis in >particular). The information on the net and pamphlets say that the really >bad effects only start after four weeks, or on long term high dosage >treatments. What are your experiences ? >The fact of the matter is that there are not a lot of choices for me really. >But if I’m in for some unfortunate side-effects, I should be able to do some >things to get them counter-acted. What advice could you give me in this >regard? >Thanks for your support ! >Regards >Jacob
Hiya Jacob – I’ve been on daily prednisone for about 5 years now. Yes there are side effects, but they are treatable. First, and I cant say this strongly enough – YOU MUST KEEP IN TOUCH WITH YOUR DOCTOR VERY OFTEN. At first I went once a week, then every other week. We kept playing with the dose of prednisone, to try to lower it as much as possible without my peak flow going too low. Take calcium supplements+vitamin D. Try to choose calcium enriched foods, such as OJ, cereals, and breads, besides the low fat dairy and dark, leafy greens that we know has calcium. My big side effects are hair thinning and major weight gain. There isnt much you can do about either, except eat a healthy diet that would have you losing weight if you werent on steroids, and lots of body building mousse, LOL. Surprisingly, I havent had the arthritis complications. I have Fibromyalgia, and they seem to think that it WASNT caused by the steroids. Go figure. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask. Life is uncertain – eat dessert first. Nancy 8=: )
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