Prednisone

[trace58]

I am on Pred regulaly now, just taken a weeks tapering ofc every 3 days by 5mg and cattarh n cough starting up already! which then leads to wheeze and exaberation! does anyone take Pred low dose all the time ? thinking this may help while waiting for assesment at severe Asthma hospital?

[Stewiecat]

Hmm I'd try to avoid that if you can, I know myself that prednisolone feels like the answer, but in reality long-term, it's definitely not. Are you under your gp whilst on pred now, or a consultant? I can see you are waiting on a severe clinic referral, i'd speak to/reach out to your current consultant if you have one, they will advise you if you are having regular flare ups requiring steroids, or the ALUK helpline would be a good option, see what they advise, sorry I don't have any specific advise, I hope you get some helpful help through the referral soon x N

[Patk1 in reply to Stewiecat]

Helpline mon-fri 9.15-5pm 0300 222 5800

[crille]

Hi,

I have been on prednisone 5mg, twice a day, since April 2024.

You have to be careful when tapering off prednisone. Follow the Doctor's advice how to do it.

I tried it once on my own, and it was not pleasant at all. The prednisone is also called "the devil's medicine", for a reason, I say.

Take care!

Crille

[Stewiecat]

Hi trace58, an added thought, I think I remember from previous posts you suffer with a lot of mucus, do you do daily chest clearance? Huffing or breathing physio?? If you have a lot of sticky mucus/expectorations they are vital along side meds x my long wait for a severe asthma consultant appointment lead me to pay for a couple of sessions with a good physio, he taught me how to use my breathing as an added tool to get the mucus out, it was a game changer in regards to helping me help myself stay as well as possible, I'd highly recommend it, it wasn't expensive £60 an hour from memory, I only had two sessions, but it changed my home management of my condition for the better, i hope your clinic appointment comes through soon x N

[trace58 in reply to Stewiecat]

Thanks think I am also waiting to see Respiratory Physio wasn't sure what it was think it soubds helpful

[awilso]

I have been on prednisone for 12 years now on about 10mg per day. It and my inhalers control my Asthma almost completely. I was told by a specialist in Harley street who is also the top researcher into the use of Prednisone that there is very little risk associated with up to 10mg per day. Personally I struggle to function if I try to taper below 10mg. It is worth stating that if you do go on it long term you will develop steroid induced Addison’s disease, so it is a choice between solving one problem and creating another.

[prednisoneruinedme in reply to awilso]

I definitely would not recommend prednisone at all, at any dose. This medicine has ruined my life. I was on it from January 2023 until February of 2025. I lost my ability to walk completely for a long while, on top of that I couldn't sit down and get up at all by myself and now I have severe bone or joint pain daily and still have trouble walking more than a few feet all from this horrible drug. It has given me ulcers that preferated my intestines,made me diabetic,made me lose all muscle mass and has caused my family life to fall apart completely. The pain started in my hands when I tapered to 20mg and has spread to every joint in my body including my spine. I've been off completely for 6 weeks now without much improvement. So please if you can manage to take anything else I would stay the hell away from prednisone at all costs, I know myself will never ever take it again.

[Stewiecat in reply to prednisoneruinedme]

I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a terrible time, I've heard pred described as 'the devil's tiktak' I think that sums it up, I'm feel very fortunate to have been helped before I got stuck on it, sending you lots of good wishes I'm sorry you are so unwell it's so difficult x Nicola

[trace58 in reply to awilso]

very helpful thankyou I think I need to do this at least until severe Asthma appointment.

[Kekememe1]

Hi there. I'm on Prednisone since 2018. I am not able to get off. I take it for severe asthma. I'm just like you, everytime I try to taper down, the mucus ramps up in the back of my throat and all my asthma symptoms start again. My throat starts closing up. Right now I'm taking 10MG everyday, however, if I start flaring, I will go up to 20mg or even 30mg for a few days. My pulmonoligist is aware and thankfully he supports me. Since I started this daily dose of 10 or 20 mg, I have had much less hospitalization. Some of us unfortunately need Prednisone to survive. Do what's best for YOU and work with your doctor to achieve the best in life.

[trace58 in reply to Kekememe1]

Thank you good to know

[Pipsqueak77]

Hi

Just to point out that when you get to the severe asthma clinic and they potentially recommend a biologic, you will not be able to have it if you are on maintenance pred. It really can complicate things.

So (apart from all the other reasons) I would absolutely avoid long term, unmanaged use of pred if at all possible.

What does your GP/asthma nurse think of this idea? Can you not up an inhaled steroid dose or add in another treatment? There are several around that you could try before long term pred. Maybe worth a discussion..?

Hope you get your referral soon. 🤞😊

[Stewiecat in reply to Pipsqueak77]

Good point 👍 x N