I have asthma and when i am on prednisone I can breath so much better, It also helps my arthiritis.
Can you be on prednisone on a regular basis?
Question posted by lauraasmith on 15 April 2011
Last updated on 5 October 2016 by Vims84
This question has also been asked and answered here: Long term use of Prednisone and side effects?
8 Answers
Vims84
5 Oct 2016
Hi all,
I am 31 and I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis around 10 years ago. Ever since I have been on and off prednisolone. Initially my flare up was only once a year so I would be on eight weeks course of prednisolone starting with 40mg for a week and reduce it by 5mg each week. Then as the time went by, my flare ups became more often to couple of times a year then three times a year and now in last 12 rolling months - four times a year!! So, that means I have been on prednisolone for at least eight months out of twelve!
Right now, I'm going through another major colitis flare up and I wasn't sure whether to just start on prednisolone again and whilst I was reading on google, I came across this page!
I have personally not experienced any major side effects yet but face going round shape, gaining weight whilst on prednisolone and mood swings has been all the side effects so far!
I also don't want to have any major side effects like other people in this forum so if any of you have any advice then I would highly appreciate it. Should I go on another eight weeks prednisolone course or not?
moggy
12 June 2013
Hi i am 52 and have been on prednisone since 1960 i was 3months old and have a addrenal gland problem started per day at 5mg till i was 19 then 20mm and at 25 went to 40mg i self regulate if i feel i have had to much from symptoms ie not sleeping i will cut back a bit to 20mg for a while. have had a back problem when i was 16 broke it fell out of a tree to be expected, but now almost no back issues i have no other side affects( a bit over weight should eat less) so i suppose long term effects are not the same for some people i think i am lucky and in general of good health regards to all paul
Blackjack4
21 April 2011
I have been on Prednisone 6 plus years as a imunosuppresent for a neuro-muscler disease called Myasthenia Gravis.It works to supress my imune system which is attacking the motor neuros on all voluntary muscles. I take Mestinon 4 time a day to replace the neurons that have already been killed. Pred has given me a watermellon stomach of 20 lbs.,type 2 diabetes,short term memory loss, osteoporosis,cataracts,paper thin skin that bruises. I have shin scrapes that are 4 yrs. old,sqamous cell carcinoms,on my back. I want to try CellCept and get off the Pred if possible. Oh iforgot ,High BP and cholesteral,sleep apnea. I'mMale 68 retired, disabled and want to go fishing again. jcbaddog4
MichellePerez1027
18 April 2011
My BF inhaled FlyAsh 3-4yrs ago and has had serious lung problems since. He has been on and off Prednisone since. He usually takes it every other day for a few months then tapers off and eventually stops taking it for a short period and then starts taking it again and starts the cycle again. He hasnt had any of those or any problems yet and is doing fine.
DzooBaby
15 April 2011
This drug should NOT be used long term! As the other poster said, it will ruin your life! It makes your bones brittle and prone to fracture and once your body gets used to it (the prednisone) you will NEVER be able to come off it. It thins your skin into tissue paper so that everytime you bump your skin the slightest you will get huge skin tears. You will gain huge amounts of water weight. It will thin your hair, give you a round moon face, raise your blood pressure and blood sugar. It destroys your immune system and it also masks infection so you could get a really serious sepsis and not realize it for some time which can be fatal. It causes adrenal insufficiency so your adrenal glands will stop functioning. Bad, bad nasty stuff long term. It can be useful in the short term but it is deadly in the long term. Find another solution to your breathing problems. Prednisone is a double edged sword!
falcore1
16 April 2011
DzooBaby is so right, everything he has said has happened to me, and it is due to the drs failer to let me go on it for so long and just kinnda forget about me. I'm 35 and the drs. say I have the body and health of someone in thier 80's. So short term use can help but if a dr wants to put you on it long term see another dr. Really prednisone is nothing to be messing around with.
lauraasmith
17 April 2011
Thanks for the info. It is amatter of weighing the pros and cons and in my case it would not be a good idea. It is a wonder drug to bad it has so many bad side effects.
falcore1
15 April 2011
I don't want to scare you, but I've been on prednisone for over 15 years, and it has ruined my life. Several drs have tried to get me off of it and my body pretty much goes into shock every time, no matter how slow we do it. I am on 10 mg a day for asthma I'm only 35. Yes prednisone is a good drug and makes you feel like you can do anything, but the less you are on it the better. I have already had a hip fracture fractures in both feet and multiple in my ribs. Did not find out I had severe osteoporosis until it was to late. Just keep good communication with your drs and try to find alternatives if you can. If you ever have more questions about Prednisone just ask me I know a lot about it. Hope your asthma gets better, and if you smoke PLEASE quit. Take care.
Inactive
15 April 2011
Good answer falcore1. Did you get any info about getting help with you Forteo injections?
falcore1
15 April 2011
Still waiting Mary, it seems noone has the budgets for anything these days, and still waiting for disability.
Inactive
15 April 2011
Can you not use a rescue inhaler for your Asthma? prednisone is not good to be taken over long periods. It can cause osteopenia or more seriously osteoporosis. I too have allergy related Asthma. I can take theopolline (sp) which is an older drug that for some reason doctor don't prescribe often, but it works. Might mention this to your doctor, & if you change meds be sure to taper with the prednisone... Mart632009
lauraasmith
15 April 2011
I do use rescue inhalers. I am trying to say, that when on prednisone, I feel so much better and breathe better. Is prednisone a drug you can use on a regular basis?
Inactive
15 April 2011
It really isn't good for you on a long term basis. I know it makes you feel better, but check out what happens to people with osteoporosis. I have fractures all the time not even doing anything! It can also give you addisons disease & other conditions. Your body makes cortisol from the adrenal glands, & taking prednisone, makes your adrenals stop working correctly. Pleas consider an alternative...
Rajive Goel
15 April 2011
When prednisone is taken for more than a few weeks, the body becomes accustomed to it and begins to make less of its natural steroids. If it is stopped too quickly, the body does not have time to adjust, and dangerous side effects can occur.
Please do talk to your health care provider for more accurate info, take care, be safe & well!
caringsonbj
15 April 2011
Rajive is right, I had a good friend who was on it constantly his body had so many problems , in February I caught a fall and it is starting to form arthritis but the doctor I go to on an ongoing basis told me it would be far better if we could use the non steroidal drugs and anti-inflammatories such as the Nsaids, But everyone is different and your physician may decide this is necessary for awhile, as he said talking with the doctor then you will get more accurate information due to your history. Please keep us posted,
lauraasmith
15 April 2011
Is it safe to stay on the drug for an extended amount of time as long as when you stop taking it you taper off?
caringsonbj
15 April 2011
Laurasmith
if your doctor does have you take this then the safe thing to do would be to talk with him about the possibility of reducing the dose or going off it maybe there is a possiblity that he can find a medication if he decides he needs to use this that he can make changes in. hopefully if he does have to prescribe it then he will talk to you about how he wants you to plan on discontinuing it it is my hope that this is possible, but follow his directions! please take good care and keep us posted as to how you are doing
Rajive Goel
16 April 2011
Thanks!
lauraasmith
19 April 2011
I have been off of the prednisone for a week now and I cannot breath good. I am weak, I have no energy. I hav a tooth killing me and my pain medicine is not helping it from hurting and throbbing. I am on supra for an ear infection and scared to admit to my dr. that again I can't breath. My arthiritis in my knees and hands is unbearable as well. Nsaids hurt my stomach and nt pain med does nothing for the sharp arthiritis pain. I am no help to my family and stay in the hospital every other month. Something has to give. This is unbearable.
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Further information
- Prednisone uses and safety info
- Prednisone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Prednisone (detailed)
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