Prednisolone advice

[Wheezy54]

Hallo I've got moderate asthma and have got quite a nasty chest infection. Today a GP prescribed some antibiotics and Prednisolone. I am struggling with my peak flow at the moment. Usually can manage 350 but at the moment struggling between 250 and 300( female). Accept I probably do need steroids but I've never had them before so I'm a bit wary to be honest.They are 5 mg , 8 a day !! Can this be right.I thought you started off with the maximum number and then tapered off by reducing 1 a day. Any experiences of taking them or advice on the best way to take them would be massively appreciated x

[Bevvy]

Yes the dosage is correct. Plus you only need to taper the dose if taking for more than 2 weeks. Also you do need to take all tablets in one go. Usually first thing in the morning.

They should make a difference. Be aware often people struggle to sleep whilst taking them. Just be aware of it and try not to let this stress you out. I also want to eat everything in sight! Finally I feel quite “zippy” on them. I try to curtail activities though because reason I am taking them is due to not being very well and shouldn’t be rushing about!!

Financially it’s really important that if still unwell at end of antibiotics and steroids that you contact your gp. It’s very common for me to need more than one course of medications when having a severe chest infection. Plus I will take some time to recover, even though infection has cleared up.

Wish you better soon.

[Shellc in reply to Bevvy]

echo everything above. I tend to take them as early as possible in the morning as they give me so much energy, they are a wonder drug but only have side affects on prolonged usage

[Wheezycat in reply to Shellc]

When I have them I also take them as early as possible, but they really do zap my energy! I have a few days feeling slow and sluggish. but as I know they help I accept it.

[Oldandgray]

I personally try to avoid prednisolone for two reasons. Firstly it causes really bad insomnia and secondly I have to double up on my PPI’s whilst taking them. They do the job they are prescribed for however!

[Wheezy54]

Thanks for all your replies. Well I did take them this morning but only because I knew I had too! I was blowing 250 ( normally 370) so I wasn't going to mess around. To be fair they do seem to be helping me already. They are a necessary evil sometimes I guess x

[Naturesvalley]

I had a chest infection a while back. Also had steroids. Was given the same steroids 5mg ( 8 tablets) for 5 days. They did work. .I spoke to my respiratory consultant and he said that it was okay.

[LittleZebra]

The first time that I had them I was away from home and was prescribed them by a nurse practitioner at a walk in clinic. Like you I looked at the label and thought 'How many a day'?! 'Can that be right'?! I also wondered if that would be one an hour during the day and how awkward that would be. At the suggestion of my friend who was with me I rang the phamacy and the pharmacist told me gently that I should take them all at once in the morning. So I put a clean tissue on my hotel bed and popped out 8 of the little beggars onto it then swallowed them one by one. The taste was absolutely appalling!🤢 Later I decided that I would have to do what i do with other disgusting tablets and put them temporarily under my tongue and then swill them out with the water and swallow them so that I bypass my taste buds. My GP kindly gave me the gastro resistant ones after that which were more bearable. Fortunately I haven't had any chest infections since before the first lockdown as i don't have children, eat outside cafes and still wear a mask in shops etc. I have found that Spiriva has also helped to keep me O.K. although I need to either wear a mask for warmth to inhale warmer air (stays put more easily than a scarf) or take my ventolin with the weather as it is just now and my peak flow has gone down a little.