Prednisone, What is your experience? - Page 5

Sagitarian · ‎03-09-2010

Every once in a while I go on this forum and something I am so going through pops up. I just took my last pred pill today. So annoyed I take allergy shots monthly and do a breathing test. I failed it by a little because of pollens around my house. I was put on a nubulizer and given two week supply of preds. I got the chills for the first couple of days. Years ago I had a candy man doctor that gave these after every appointment. Yes they make everything better but destroy your body if taken forever. My terminal ill cats were given preds and prolonged their lives for a few months.

serenity4ever · ‎11-04-2013

I have had to take it but when I did it was short term meaning only a month or two. I was tapered off it because I was told it is very dangerous to stop it cold turkey.

Only your physician should determine how much and when you should stop taking it. No pharmacist has your medical records and should never try and determine the proper dosage for your condition telling you to stop taking it.

If you don't trust your physician's advice, you should seek a second opinion with another specialist. However, whatever you do, don't stop taking the prednisone without medical advice from your doctor....to do so could be extremely dangerous.

noseycat · ‎03-09-2010

I have been taking 5mg of prednisone for 19 years as part of my anti-rejection meds. I have gained weight and I have trouble sleeping but it has helped keep me alive and I can live with the problems. At first I took a higher dose and wanted to eat all the time but now with the 5mg I am not hungry all of the time. I see my cardiologist twice a year and have blood work every other month and so far so good.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

I have taken it at least 4 times a year for at least the last 15 years, I am prone to bronchitis when I get a cold.

Each time I take it I get new and different reactions here are some of them moodiness, sleeplessness, mania, elation I could go on and on, yes it work about I am a mess in the proess

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

LilacTree · ‎03-25-2012

I see a lot of new responses here cautioning the OP not to stop the prednisone without tapering. No one in this thread has advised her doing that, including me. I have been tapering from 10 mgs since October . . . five to six weeks between 1 mg reductions (slower than recommended by two doctors). I would never advocate stopping it cold and have not done so. Believe me, if anyone knows the dangers of this med by now, it is me.

As far as the doctors, no doctor is ever going to make a person stay on a med they don't want to take (although some will suggest the patient see another physician). At least none of the doctors I have gone to, including rheumatologists and endocrinologists. If one reads the entire thread, one would see that no one has advised the OP to take matters into her own hands.

Because the OP herself said she was going to stop taking it, I am glad she checked with her pharmacist first, who advised her to taper it. They specialize in pharmaceuticals, doctors do not. I can't count the many times I have advised doctors of a side effect I was having from a med that they said they've never heard of it. Either they truly don't know, or they are lying. Either way, it doesn't inspire much confidence in what they prescribe.

Formerly Ford1224
We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Elie Wiesel 1986

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

Has anyone found a PREDNISONE ALTERNATIVE you can recommend?

birddrops · ‎07-16-2010

There are so many names for synthetic corticosteroids and they are used for so many things with different ways of delivery, injections, inhalants, topical creams, etc. that I think many may be taking these steroid drugs and don't realize it.

For example, the poster above with COPD who claims her doctor never prescribed prednisone, however she takes Advair which contains fluticasone, a corticosteroid, the same thing as prednisone.

Jersey Born · ‎03-10-2010

Bobbisue, I sincerely hope there are other drugs or remedies that may be able to lessen and help you recover from your COPD. Prednisone is okay for very short term usage, when necessary, but over the long haul it leads to avascular necrosis of the hips in many. I have never had to take this drug, but due to my former employment in insurance, I can tell you that prednisone did indeed lead to this unfortunate outcome for many people.