Prednisone use.

[Jansjems]

I have COPD and asthma (never severe) but since having COVID 19 in 2022 it has gotten worse and not as easy to manage. Does anyone here use Prednisone approx 5 mg on almost a daily basis and if so has it caused you any repercussions. I am unable to use most puffers other than Ventolin as I react badly to them, spasms, hoarseness, foggy eyes etc etc. My Doctor recently gave me Trelegy Ellipta and was hopeful I wouldn't react but I did. I can't take it regularly but use it (with docs approval) on days when I need to be out and about for a while and it works. I just can't use it everyday. The prednisone helps a lot but just a bit concerned about regular use. The other thing that really helps me is a glass of red wine but I'm not complaining about that!

I'm 78 and I'm in Qld Australia. My chest does not like humidity nor does it like cold mornings. I was first told about COPD approx 7 yrs ago. Never smoked a day in my life so I was a bit annoyed and surprised.

Any feedback will be much appreciated.

[Homely2 Administrator]

One idea that I would toy with if I could not use my inhalers, would be living somewhere that my asthma was happier.

I know my asthma hates cities, dislikes pollen, loves the mountainsides of Scotland.

If you cannot use steroids inhalers, have you tried the non steroid add on inhalers like spiriva, or items like montelukast.

Have you found out if biologics will help, if you are regularly on prednisone, do you not qualify for biologics.

It is good that your medic is trying, go through with him, everything that is worth trying. If he cannot help find a different medic.

Re prednisone, of course long term use will give side effects, and different people have different issues, however long term uncontrolled asthma also has long term issues. Ask the medic what will it be like if you do not take prednisone

[Jansjems in reply to Homely2]

Thank you for you thoughtful and helpful words. Sadly moving location is just not a possibility but I will look in to the other things you have mentioned. Lots of research and thinking to do. Best wishes.

[lovethemountains]

Best of luck to you Jansjems!

Your story sounds so similar to mine. Mild asthma most of my life, then following Covid in 2022, I've been on prednisone probably 2 out of every 4 weeks. They haven't yet said, "COPD," but I fear it's coming, and I'm not a smoker. And so far I've only tolerated Ventolin.

They put me Oxygen about 3 weeks ago. So far, it's been life changing! I'm able to do things I haven't done since before Covid, simple things like household chores that I can do standing instead of sitting. It seems to be the first thing that's brought an overall improvement. I'm hoping it continues!

[Jansjems in reply to lovethemountains]

Thank you so much for your reply. I was very interested to hear how the oxygen has helped you. I have an oximeter and my levels are pretty good but can fluctuate over the day. Are you using it all the time? I am happy that my doctor believes me when I say how I react to the other puffers. Previous docs pretty much patted me on the head and said it was all in my mind. One made my feet so sore I could hardly walk. That doc told me I had arthritis. Funny how it came on so quickly and then disappeared when I stopped using the puffer! I've been doing a lot of reading of late and came across an article by a 'so called expert' who said all COPD sufferers should be vacuuming their homes every day and doing a thorough dust every second day as dust is an aggravation. Well that gave me a good laugh for sure. I have to think I'm not sure that expert has actually ever met a COPD sufferer outside a textbook. So much info out there but like that, so much that just has to be ignored. Best wishes and best of health to you.

[lovethemountains in reply to Jansjems]

Hi, Jansjems!

The O2 prescription is for 24/7; however, I'm not using it that much. Awake and seated (at work or in the evening), I use it when it drops. Running around doing chores, nearly all the time, as that's when my oxygen level drops. At night, always - that's when it's most needed.

They've tried me on Flovent twice. The 2nd time the side effects came on very quickly: rash on calves & chest, swelling of calves, yeast & thrush infection, and the 2nd time it felt like ants crawling in my mouth.

Yes, my main doctor is of the pat-you-on-the-head variety. Thank goodness, the rest of the team isn't!

We should get these conflicting experts together: my allergist said I should leave the house when someone is vacuuming or dusting - haha, since I'm the one doing the cleaning.

keep us posted!