topic Re: Prednisone Question?? in Wellness

Prednisone Question??

Ro — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 21:31:34 GMT

Having a problematic rash for about 6 months, tried lotions and creams, nothing is working. Doctor wants me to take prednisone (20mg for 10 days, than 10mg for 10 days), I am nervous about taking steroids, has anyone taking this, and if so, how was it?

Thanks

Re: Prednisone Question??

chrystaltree — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 21:34:12 GMT

This is a conversation you have with your doctor. The steroidal medication he's talking about are not the steriods you are thinking about. If you'd asked, he or she would have explained it to you.

Re: Prednisone Question??

151949 — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 21:40:04 GMT

You should not come here for any kind of medical information. You will hear every horror story on earth - probably many of them not true. People come gre who have absolutely NO KNOWLEDGE of what they are referencing but they write in such a way as to infer they are all knowing, You should ask your doctor for the info you are looking for.

Re: Prednisone Question??

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 21:46:29 GMT

I usually end up doing small and short term doses of prednisone once a year for bronchitis. If you follow the instructions and do it rarely, it's fine and you will experience few side effects. The most common for that dosage will be indigestion and an increase in stomach acid. I avoid coffee, spicy foods or acidic foods and ibuprofen while I take prednisone. If the acid becomes a problem, I'll take an antacid and it goes away. Different people experience different side effects, but I mine are minimal, especially because the dose is so low and the period of time they're taken is so short. You may experience some skin flushing or puffiness, but for that short period of time, you probably won't see much puffiness, if any. You may have some trouble sleeping the first night, so try some warm milk or herbal tea before bed. (I'm usually on a codeine cough syrup the first night and don't notice, but you won't be.)

You should be fine with that dose and that time frame. If you have any side effects that worry you, contact your doctor. I think the worst will be the acid, so buy some generic Zantac or something similar and be ready to that take for at least some of the time you're on the 20mg dose.

Re: Prednisone Question??

Ro — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 22:16:02 GMT

I did talk to my doctor, just wanted to heard from someone who actually took this drug and what their experience was.

Re: Prednisone Question??

RedTop — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:18:57 GMT

My husband is currently taking his third round of steroids since October for asthmatic wheezing due to COPD. This medication does very well with reducing the inflammation in his lungs and helping him breathe easier. The only issue he has with this medication is that it raises his blood sugar, and therefore he has to be more diligent with checking his blood sugar frequently, paying closer attention to what he eats, and adjusting his insulin to compensate for higher blood sugar readings.

Re: Prednisone Question??

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:24:32 GMT

On 1/15/2014 Ro said:
I did talk to my doctor, just wanted to heard from someone who actually took this drug and what their experience was.

I'm usually the first one here or anywhere to say, "OMG, stop asking strangers and ask a doctor!" but I think this is fair. You'd gone to the doctors and came back with a diagnosis and a treatment plan and wanted to know what you might expect to encounter while you took it. That's not out of line.

Re: Prednisone Question??

LilacTree — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:34:12 GMT

I have been on prednisone for RA and other autoimmune issues for almost ten years. I take 8 mgs a day right now, which I am trying to taper, but can't seem to get below this dosage without horrific pain. I have had many side effects, one of which is severe osteoporosis that has destroyed my spine. There are many others. This med is a miracle and a curse at the same time. However, this comes with long term use, which doesn't apply to you.

Taking prednisone for that short a period is not going to harm you. I suffered no side effects during my initial course of taking it. 20 mgs tapering down to 10 mgs is odd though. I would expect 20/10, then 10/10, then a slow taper down to 0 for 10 days. But he probably knows what he is doing.

Don't be afraid of it for that short a duration.

Re: Prednisone Question??

pattypeep — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:38:51 GMT

I took prednisone off and on for at least three years when my auto immune disease was out of control. I did not like taking it, although there were no permanent side effects. The worse thing was feeling "wound up". A little hard to sleep and they made me ravenous. I swear I could have licked the paint off the walls. Please follow the Dr.'s instructions ~ it is very important to wean yourself off of them. The best of luck to you and I hope that you find relief for your problem.

I will echo ChynnaBlue in that it seems entirely appropriate to ask people on these boards what experience they have had with a specific drug. Your question did not sound like you were seeking medical advice to me.

Re: Prednisone Question??

judgejudith — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:47:52 GMT

Ro, I think you have asked a fair question. I have taken prednisone over the years in the dosage you describe. My experience was a good one...it made me feel better and gave me a lot of energy. Originally it was prescribed by ENT when I had serious sinus problems and pneumonia. I also have asthma. I do not consider myself drug sensitive.

I am currently taking prednisone for my Rhematoid Arthritis. I have been taking it for 4 years. Started out with a very high dosage with ALOT of other drugs. I have been weaned down to 10 mg once a day. I have been on that dosage for a good three years. My experience in the long run has not been bad. You have probably been told not to miss your doses and do NOT stop taking the drug. If you have any problems with bad side effects please contact your doctor immediately. You must be weaned off this drug gradually.

I had a co-worker who was prescribed prednisone for pneumonia she did not like the side effects she was feeling so she just quite taking after a couple of days and then she was admitted to the hospital after a trip to the ER. Her doctor told her she should not have just quit taking the medication.

Please explain a little more about your rash...diagnosis. Did your regular doctor prescribe the prednisone? Or a dermatologist? What do they think about the cause of your rash? Where is the rash?

Re: Prednisone Question??

adelle38 — Wed, 15 Jan 2014 23:57:23 GMT

Is the doctor prescribing for the rash a dermatologist? If so, he probably knows what he's talking about. If you're uncomfortable call and talk to him about it. I've take short courses of prednisone for bronchitis several time. It made me a bit jittery after a couple of days but it cleared up my longs with no long term side effects.

Re: Prednisone Question??

Ro — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 01:53:28 GMT

Went to my family doctor first, he sent me to the dermatologist, who is prescribing the prednisone.

Thank you for all the kind responses.

Re: Prednisone Question??

GCR18 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:02:36 GMT

I was on it a couple times over the last three years. I am now taking methatrexate instead. I remember the bursts of energy, lack of sleep and a little weight gain. No real side effects.

Re: Prednisone Question??

birkin baby — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:08:40 GMT

I have taken your dose at times for asthma.It is a short term low dose and sometimes it is exactly what is needed to make you better. As someone above stated it is the best and worst. It makes me feel full of energy and nothing hurts on my body (arthritis is painful daily)...I physically feel like a teenager. Downside....it will make you ravenous....and you may have trouble sleeping (but I didn't mind that),and your cheeks might get a bit full and flushed. But that leaves quickly.It's important to not skip doses and don't stop taking it without consulting your doc. Good luck!!!!

Re: Prednisone Question??

manny2 — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:23:12 GMT

You will be fine taking it for 10 days. It is really a wonder drug that does the job, the problem is when it is taken long term.

Re: Prednisone Question??

Big Sister — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 02:28:41 GMT

I did take Prednisone several times in a year when I had a horrible case of hives. Prednisone was a last resort and it really was a miracle drug for me. Also, I had a lot more energy while on it. If you take it under a dr's. supervision, you should be okay.

Re: Prednisone Question??

jlkz — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:14:00 GMT

I agree with all of the above posters, especially BirkinBaby's comment about becoming ravenously hungry. After my bout with bronchitis, I remember treating some elderly neighbors to a pancake & bacon breakfast at IHOP and one hour later going for two slices of pizz because I was so hungry. During 2 weeks I put on almost 10 pounds! At this age, it took some time and effort to get the weight back to normal. I have tremendous will power, but the prednisone was stronger. I couldn't immediately put two and two together to realize why the drastic change in behavior. HTH - you may not have the same side effect.

Re: Prednisone Question??

focksie — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 18:27:47 GMT

Prednisone is a powerful drug and shouldn't be taken lightly, really only reserved as a last resort. You didn't say if there is a diagnosis for your rash. It's important to try to get a diagnosis before treatment is prescribed.

Depending on the strength of the dose and the duration of time you need to take it, you will have to be weaned from this drug as I had to be. I was prescribed prednisone to take down a dangerously high fever. That's how powerful it is and that's how potentially dangerous the side effects can be.

Do your own research on prednisone too.

Re: Prednisone Question??

Shelbelle — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 22:48:41 GMT

Prednisone can be a miracle cure for lots of things. But it can come with lots of side effects, a list as long as your arm, but it does not mean any of them will happen to you. It sounds to me like you need to try it, chances are high it will cure your rash, so take it and see. Remember, it is highly important that you never stop taking it suddenly, if you are upset with side effects talk to the doc first before stopping. I took it once for 5 weeks and felt wonderful on it.

Re: Prednisone Question??

57babe — Thu, 16 Jan 2014 23:11:50 GMT

Did the doctor tell you what the rash is --- and what is causing it?

Or is it a "mystery rash"?

Statin drugs can cause skin rashes and other medications can cause rashes as well.

My FIL suffered for months and was hospitalized for weeks with a severe rash covering his entire body. Doctors told him they couldn't identify what caused the rash.

My FIL was on a statin drug, Lipitor, and one of the side effects is skin rash.

Just a heads up in case you are taking a statin drug. I usually post about my FIL when I read that someone is suffering from an undiagnosed skin rash. Doctors should be aware of the side effect of skin rash from statins, but seems many are not.

Hope you are feeling better soon.