Side effects of steroids

[Wheezycat]

I am well aware that Prednisolone can affect you in various ways, acutely while you are using them and also long term.. But could it weaken your blood vessels?

I have just found out that I have a couple of small bleeds/leaks from blood vessels at the back of one eye. While the bleeds in themselves are nothing to worry about, and certainly not caused by asthma, it can affect your eye sight, as it now seems to have done with me a bit. It is the same thing that can happen with diabetes, but I don't have diabetes. So at present the reason is unknown. Thus my question, as my skin has definitely thinned, and I am more prone to those read/purple bleeds under my skind, as well as skin tears.

Last summer I stubbed a couple of toes, and the amount of bleeding under my skin seemed out of proportion to what I had done. So I also wonder if prednisolone can cause more bleeding?

If anyone knows I would be grateful to hear. I can't find anything conclusive online so far at least.

[Thomas45]

I don't know, but couldn't do without prednisolone, currently on 40mg a day for 7 days.I do get purple bruises, when I haven't badly bruised myself, but I am sure my anticoagulant is the cause, (I also have permanent though asymptomatic atrial fibrillation).

I have in the past had Polymyalgia Rheumatica, for which the accepted treatment is a very slowly reducing dose, from 30mg a day to zero. For me that took just under four years of daily prednisolone. It did not result in the symptoms you describe.

There is no standard human body, whether male or female. We all can react differently.

[Wheezycat in reply to Thomas45]

Thank you, Thomas. I agree, I wouldn’t do without prednisone which I have had a number of courses of for an asthma flare up. The purple bruises among us asthmatic lot are seriously common. So far I get them mostly on my arms. I also agree we are all different. I just like being better informed especially any links that may have to do with any medications I need to take.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

As you've noticed, pred can cause more fragile skin and bruising, which is blood from damaged capillaries leaking out under the skin. It doesn't seem like a leap to think that it could cause blood vessels to be more fragile.

I still bruise easily just on high dose inhaled steroids.

[Wheezycat in reply to Lysistrata]

Thanks Lysistrata! These days they have a virtual clinic at first at the eye clinic here, so I can’t ask as I won’t see a clinician unless needed. But I can add it to the list I am asked for for the next appointment, for their information. It helps to like if it is completely off piste or not. So if at least worth a consider I will mention it.

[Wheezycat in reply to Lysistrata]

I still bruise easily though it is now I think 2.5 years since last time I was on pred. A bit of a record for me, I think.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to Wheezycat]

I haven't had any regular pred for ages. I did have 3 days earlier this year for an admission but it was grim and not really helping (I don't think I respond to it) so we agreed I could stop.

[Wheezycat in reply to Lysistrata]

I would NOT want to take pred if it didn’t help, but I seem to respond to it albeit not always speedily.

[corinneyvonne]

Hi I had an eye ‘explosion’ about a month ago and after sitting in A & E for five hours finally told me they had no idea what it was and sent me home to buy Optrex. I am not and repeat not criticising the NHS. Anyway I have subsequently seen an Ophthalmology consultant and he says that my eye blood vessel bleed was due to my medication, Dupilumab and is also the reason for bruising easily etc. So it may not just be prednisolone that causes these symptoms but also some biologics too. No complaints from me though as am able to lead a normal life now. If there is such a thing as normal 😂🙏 #gratefuleveryday

[Wheezycat in reply to corinneyvonne]

I am sorry you have had that experience! I am not on biologics. Thank you for telling me! It is good to gather information, especially when there was nothing obvious why it happened!

[Cloudancer]

I have been on prednisolone for 18 years - I did have an eye issue which was picked up by a certain well known spectacle shop and sent straight to a large hospital with a brilliant opthalmic department.The cause was not prednisolone or the diabetes I had but something else.

Eyes are so important - so please if you are concerned about your vision do seek medical help.

Wishing you well and hope you get to the cause of your eye problem

[Wheezycat in reply to Cloudancer]

I had noticed my one eye wasn’t ‘behaving’. My other eye had to do more of the seeing, especially texts and such. My optician did refer me to the eye clinic, and I have had my first visit, with a second appoint already fixed. As you say our vision really matters, so, yes, I am truly attending to it.

[Cloudancer in reply to Wheezycat]

Am so pleased to hear that you are being looked after- I had a stroke in the eye.

[Wheezycat in reply to Cloudancer]

I hope that is better by now.

[Wheezycat]

I have a couple of bleeding leaks at the back of the eye - a second time. Next time they will decide if it needs treating. It may stop by itself.