Wellness

[hckynut]

Prednisone, What is your experience?

My experience is very limited. I started taking it a week ago Friday when diagnosed with Shingles. First time taking it and I am thinking it is having some effect on my vertigo and balance first thing after sleeping. Not worried about falling or anything of that sort, but I am used to having very keen balance, even when my BP is very, very low.

The only prescription that has changed is this along with the Valtrix for Shingles. I was done taking the Valtrix 2 days ago so I am ruling this out for now. Not sure how long it takes to get out of my system, but I still am going to be taking a smaller dose of Prednisone for at least another week to 10 days.

Other than that I can say it has any effect on my body. Considering my nightly group of meds, with Valtrix and Prednisone, was 14 pills(2 of which were what some call horse pills)? I can't complain with any of the few side effects I have experienced with the Prednisone or Valtrix.

I have found that with the hundreds of people I've met over the last 12 years on many meds? The more some read about the side effects the more they feel like they are having them. I read all the info and understand what might be happening, but I am not one that is going to quit taking any prescribed medicine that I agreed with my doctor that I would keep taking until gone, or until told to stop.

Myself and another close friend, between the 2 of us, know 5 men that died because they didn't like taking Coumadin/Warfarin, and quit on their own volition.

[Vivian]

Over the years I have had to take prednisone for asthma, and on occasion for sinus inflammation caused by infection. I hate the stuff but when I am really ill I have no choice. I have had to take it for 2-6 weeks, depending on how sick I am. It keeps me awake at night, causes my appetite to explode, and swells my ankles. But it also enables me to breathe. It's a necessary evil.

[LilacTree]

On 5/31/2014 Bobbisue said:

Ford, I'm glad you posted. I called the drug store and spoke with the pharmacist. She advised me to taper off. Tomorrow I will take one pill for a few days and then one half for a few days and be done with it. I will never take this drug again. Again, thanks for your input.

I am so glad to hear that you are coming off it. I'm sure the pharmacist was in agreement, most of them know a lot more than the doctors. It's not that the doctors don't know, they just don't tell. A pharmacist will, which is why I trust them so much more.

I re-read my post and I realize I left a lot out. No sense in going into it any deeper, I think I got my point across. I'm glad my comments helped you to make what I feel is a good decision, although I don't know what dosage you were put on (my guess is a high one) or how long your doctor was going to keep you on this drug.

Good luck and best wishes with your COPD . . . that is no picnic either.

[LilacTree]

On 5/31/2014 hckynut said:

Prednisone, What is your experience?

My experience is very limited. I started taking it a week ago Friday when diagnosed with Shingles. First time taking it and I am thinking it is having some effect on my vertigo and balance first thing after sleeping. Not worried about falling or anything of that sort, but I am used to having very keen balance, even when my BP is very, very low.

The only prescription that has changed is this along with the Valtrix for Shingles. I was done taking the Valtrix 2 days ago so I am ruling this out for now. Not sure how long it takes to get out of my system, but I still am going to be taking a smaller dose of Prednisone for at least another week to 10 days.

Other than that I can say it has any effect on my body. Considering my nightly group of meds, with Valtrix and Prednisone, was 14 pills(2 of which were what some call horse pills)? I can't complain with any of the few side effects I have experienced with the Prednisone or Valtrix.

One has to be on it for a significant period of time or at a very high dose for anything permanently serious to happen. Ten days and off is not going to hurt you.

[LilacTree]

On 5/31/2014 hckynut said:

Prednisone, What is your experience?

My experience is very limited. I started taking it a week ago Friday when diagnosed with Shingles. First time taking it and I am thinking it is having some effect on my vertigo and balance first thing after sleeping. Not worried about falling or anything of that sort, but I am used to having very keen balance, even when my BP is very, very low.

The only prescription that has changed is this along with the Valtrix for Shingles. I was done taking the Valtrix 2 days ago so I am ruling this out for now. Not sure how long it takes to get out of my system, but I still am going to be taking a smaller dose of Prednisone for at least another week to 10 days.

Other than that I can say it has any effect on my body. Considering my nightly group of meds, with Valtrix and Prednisone, was 14 pills(2 of which were what some call horse pills)? I can't complain with any of the few side effects I have experienced with the Prednisone or Valtrix.

I have found that with the hundreds of people I've met over the last 12 years on many meds? The more some read about the side effects the more they feel like they are having them. I read all the info and understand what might be happening, but I am not one that is going to quit taking any prescribed medicine that I agreed with my doctor that I would keep taking until gone, or until told to stop.

Myself and another close friend, between the 2 of us, know 5 men that died because they didn't like taking Coumadin/Warfarin, and quit on their own volition.

Quitting any serious med cold turkey is never a good idea. IMO, all meds are poison, but some are worse than others. There are no "good" choices.

The OP's doctor may put her right back on it and if she tells him why she came off it, he will likely get irritated. I thought she deserved the truth . . . at least as I know it.

[RibbonsRosesRainbows]

I would not get off the medication without talking to your doctor but it is a hard drug.......I am sorry you had to take it........

[this is my nic]

Can't take the stuff, gives me a sever headache. It's on the list of things I'm allergic to so the Dr. doesn't try to even suggest it.

[goodstuff]

As others have mentioned, you can NOT stop prednisone suddenly and without supervision!! Your doctor will need to approve discontinuing this med and give you instructions for gradually tapering off. You can have severe and dangerous complications if you stop this drug suddenly.

Short-term prednisone can be very helpful for various kinds of inflammatory/allergic conditions, including lung inflammations, poison ivy, autoimmune flareups, etc. Side effects can include hunger, weight gain, fluid retention, insomnia, and more. Long term use can have serious side effects, including mood changes, bone weakness, "moon face", and more. Prednisone is not a drug to be taken lightly, but sometimes you and your doctor have to weigh the pros and cons to decide if the therapeutic effects justify the downside. Severe COPD is serious, too, and if your doctor thinks prednisone is necessary to moderate your symptoms, you should take his advice seriously. Being able to breathe is pretty important.

[Gooday]

It keeps my husband alive. He takes it as part of his anti rejection regimen. He takes 2mg. a day. He has the moon face. As far as sleeping, he has had difficulty for years. Ambien takes care of that. You do what you have to do to stay alive.

What's your alternative?

[chiclet]

I had hip and back pain and was given a two week reducing dose. My pain was gone almost immediately. It was amazing how it just made my joints feel like I was 30 years younger, however, the side effects were awful. I would eat a big meal and an hour later I was starving. I was tired and nervous at the same time. I did not sleep much for the whole two weeks. I had to wean off a little faster than I was supposed to. Now I am trying to get my stomach back to normal. It does the job but the side effects are awful.