Prednisone long term.

[garshe]

Does anyone take Prednisone long term for COPD. I find my breathing is much better and not so out of breath when I take it. I dont have a chest infection or cough so dont need antibiotics..I took 6 x 5mg tablets of Prednisone yesterday and I was so much better and walked for hours yesterday shopping. I have not been prescribed to take Prednisone regularly but wondered if anyone with COPD does take it regularly. What dosage and any side effects. I was diagnosed 10yrs Severe COPD and still Severe. I am a young 75yr old . Photo taken yesterday whilst out shopping . Sheila x

[HungryHufflepuff]

I just want to say what a great photo! You look very happy indeed 😊

👠👠

[garshe in reply to HungryHufflepuff]

I had been struggling for a few days with shortness of breath. Took 30mg of Prednisolone and I was a different person. I rang my Respiratory team and told them. They said ok to take it for a week. It's like a wonder drug to me but unfortunately dont think it can be taken too often. Thank you Sheila x

[soulboy118 in reply to garshe]

Some consultants will prescribe a low maintenance dose others like mine are totally against doing that , to me it's a wonder drug and for certain situations like flying or important meetings and to be honest social occasions I want to definetly attend they come in useful to be taken as a single dose ( 6 x 5mg) , as with everything we must be careful because like most regularly taken medicines theres a danger of the ever diminishing returns effect .glad you had a good day though , nice happy pic by the way

[garshe in reply to soulboy118]

My GP and Respiratory Team wont prescribe long term .I can see the problems as thinning skin and bruising easily. I agree it's a wonder drug and wish something else would work as good without the side effects. Thanks Sheila x

[soulboy118 in reply to garshe]

Those side effects can be mitigated sheila , not totally but for me if they can be managed and by the amount of people on maintenance doses I'm assuming it can be then why not if it improves quality of life.

[garshe in reply to soulboy118]

I agree. Thanks Sheila x

[sassy59]

You look amazing Sheila, love the photo.

Pete takes 2 x 5mg pred each day and has done for years. If he gets a chest infection he ups the dose to 6 or 8 tablets.

Hope you stay as well as you can. Take care. Xxxx 😘

[garshe in reply to sassy59]

Thanks. My GP wont prescribe long term. I have a stock at home so I use them when I feel the need. I know I shouldn't but it works when I want to go out for the day and be happy. I am looking for Quality of life now at my age lol. Hope you and Pete are well .Sheila x

[sassy59 in reply to garshe]

Good for you Sheila. Pete and I are fine thank you xxxx😘

[Hacienda]

Hi Sheila, You are Definitely a Young & Fit 75 year old. The Devils Tic Tacs are as you say a Life saver, I agree with Soulboy118. I have recently had two Courses and again I ate everything in sight. I had to be aware not to take them for other certain procedures, some AB's Flu Jab, Bloods, X Rays, they do not give a true reading whilst expanding the Lungs. But as some take them for maintenance , so minimal intake. I wish you well and I am now tempted to Take them again. Enjoy your Lovely Life Hun, Love your Ankle Boots. Love n Hugs. XXX C.

[garshe in reply to Hacienda]

Yes agree they are a life saver. Havent taken them today as at home catching up on housework. Yes love my boots and still love my heels. My daughters tell me I'll be strutting around on my heels whilst pushing a Zimmer frame lol.well as long as I can still get dressed up I will.x Sheila.

[Hacienda in reply to garshe]

And always wear you Lippy Hun. Mwaarr xxxx

[garshe in reply to Hacienda]

That's a definite. Even doing the housework .you never know who may call. Lol xxSheila

[Damon1864 Volunteer]

Hi garage, what a lovely photo and you certainly don't look your age, you look so much younger. I'm hoping next time I see my Consultant he puts me on long term prednisolone. Have a good day and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx

[garshe in reply to Damon1864]

No Bernadette I dont take them long term .I took them yesterday as was very short of breath and they worked. I take Supplements which I believe are beneficial to me. I take Turmeric, Chlorella and Spirulina along with a healthy diet like Fish .green veg etc..Also I am very Positive and every day I put the face on and make up , tong the hair and go out as much as I can . xx Sheila

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to garshe]

Thank you I will try these out ,,🤗x

[garshe in reply to Damon1864]

I buy them from Organic Burst .they are online and on Instagram. These are not contaminated with pesticides etc. All pure. Really good. X Sheila

[garshe in reply to Damon1864]

No Bernadette I dont take it lo g term only when I need a boost. I take supplements daily. Heaped teaspoon of Powder Turmeric in a shot of fresh pineapple juice. 4 tablets Chlorella and 4 tablets spirulina. A spray of vit D in mouth. I also eat fresh fish and plenty green Veg. Bananas . I buy all my supplements from Organic Burst as these are all pest free and not contaminated. They ar e online and on Instagram. X Sheila

[Damon1864 Volunteer in reply to garshe]

Thank you 😊 x

[skischool]

Sheila.just a quickie to show you the relationship between The Adrenal Glands and Prednisolone and why some doctors are reluctant to prescribe them long term.

Prednisone is similar to cortisol, a hormone naturally made by your adrenal glands. If you take prednisone for more than a few weeks, your adrenal glands decrease cortisol production. A gradual reduction in prednisone dosage gives your adrenal glands time to resume their normal function.

So as a short term relief to your condition they can be very beneficial but beware long term usage unless under strict control by your consultant or your Adrenal glands forget how to work.

However having said that if they make you look as young as you then Ski's and Scruffy are having them as a full replacement diet lol xx

[garshe in reply to skischool]

No I dont take them often .only when I have a chest infection usually. It's just for some reason I had a problem with my breathing very short of breath. I think it is because I was housebound for a week owing to very bad weather. Strong winds and rain. I am fitter when I go out every day as I love walking around the shopping centres as my exercise. Yesterday was first day out and I felt nervous as so breathless so took 6 prednisolone and within a short time felt fantastic and able to walk without the short of breath. I still stop every now and then to rest but I'm used to that . Havent taken them today as at home. I take on board what you are saying thanks for the information and wont take them long term.x Sheila

[skischool in reply to garshe]

I think you are using them very sensibly and i also felt so much better on the very few occasions i took them.more alive and in control and the appetite increase was a bonus but they did nothing for my looks so you must tell me your secrets. xx

[garshe in reply to skischool]

I take teaspoon Turmeric powder in a shot of pure Pineapple juice, 4 Chlorella tablets , 4 Spirulina tablets. A spray of Vit D in cheek daily. Also eat plenty of fresh fish, steamed salmon Dover sole and green Veg. I buy them from Organic Burst as these are all free from contamination and pesticides. Also being Positive is the best thing

SHEILA xx

[skischool in reply to garshe]

Well quite a list there Sheilla and i broke my pencil just writing them down lol.story of my life .Thanks for the list i better get shopping. xx

[garshe in reply to skischool]

You always make me laugh and cheer me up. Worth a try .they have been a god send for me. On my last visit to my Consultant in July he said Whatever you are doing keep doing it as it obviously agrees with you. Lol

Xx Sheila

[Gladwyn]

It was only yesterday I realised prednisone could be taken without antibiotics! Slow or what? Some years ago when my GP first prescribed them for me he impressed upon me to only take them if I really really needed them and so I've always treated prednisone with respect and fear lol. He also said to be taken only with an antibiotic. 😀now I see the error of my ways!!!

[jackdup in reply to Gladwyn]

The reason many doctors have you take an antibiotic along with pred is that pred works by suppressing your immune system and the antibiotic works as a safeguard to keep you from getting an infection or to keep an infection from taking hold and getting worse.

[Gladwyn in reply to jackdup]

Thankyou jackdup...... makes such sense . I love how I learn all sorts here . 😂

[jackdup in reply to Gladwyn]

You are welcome

[Gladwyn]

P.s. You are looking amazingly well! 😀👀👀👀👍

[garshe in reply to Gladwyn]

Thank you Gladwyn it's the Welsh air and a lot of effort these days. Lol. I was told by my Respiratory team you can have an exacerbation without an infection so it's ok then to take the prednisolone but only for 7 to 10 days and no longer. xSheila.

[Gladwyn in reply to garshe]

Thanks Sheila as I said before I live and learn every day. Xx

[Hidden]

I don't have COPD, I have Bronchiectasis. But I also have Vasculitis for which I was initially given 40mg Pred (8 tablets daily) for over 2 years. Also had 3 infusions of Methylpred 1gram. After 2 years I was allowed to gradually reduce to 5mg (1 tablet daily) But it was too late, I got Osteoporosis with 5 spinal fractures. Which is one of the reasons why doctors don't like to keep patients on them for too long.

[garshe in reply to Hidden]

I am so sorry. I bruise easily on my arms if I take them too long so not good. I only take them short term its maybe twice or three times a year at most. But yesterday I felt I needed to take them and they worked .I shopped for hours and had a great day out. I am at home today so didn't feel the need to take them and feeling ok thank goodness

So sorry for what you have suffered I hope you are well now. Sending Welsh Cwtches (Hugs) xx Sheila

[JANET127]

I asked my lung Doc if I could take 5 mg a day. She said No because it compromised my immune system! I had Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma 20 years ago . The chemo did a lot of damage to my heart/lungs/diaphram! Now my immune system is low and my Doc doesn't want it to go lower because I could catch more infections! Hope this helps! Janet127

[garshe in reply to JANET127]

Thanks Janet. I won' t take it for the long haul only now and then when I feel my breathlessness is a problem .my daughter has had to build her Immune System back up. It was wiped out when she contracted measles a few years back in her 30's. She never had it ad a child as we lived abroad in Dubai where my husband worked and there was no measles there.

She had the worse case anyone had seen as she caught it from her daughter having the measles Jab. It's a live vaccine so you get a different strain

After measles your immune system only remembers you had the measles and everything else gets wiped out..She has built it all back up by taking supplements .cost her over £160 per month but it has worked thank goodness. You are right you cant mess around with medication and taking too much is not good as causes problems .x Sheila

[Hidden]

So sorry Janet. 😗😧

[Izb1]

You look fab Garshe so carry on with the tablets ha! seriously be careful with steroids they dont help your bones at all. Turmeric, pineapple is great but spirulina made me so sick, tried it twice and each time was terrible, so have fresh turmeric when I can get it or the organic powder for drinks and pineapple I love x

[megshafer in reply to Izb1]

I love pineapple juice....so much!!🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍

Meg 💕💕🌻🌻

[Izb1 in reply to megshafer]

I chop my pineapple into squares and sit eating it watching the tv

[megshafer in reply to Izb1]

That sounds delicious!!

Enjoy your weekend,

Take care, stay well,

Meg🍍🍍💕💕

[Izb1 in reply to megshafer]

Enjoy your weekend too Megshafer x

[garshe in reply to Izb1]

That's great eating fresh pineapple good for the lungs xSheila

[hallentine47]

Hi Garshe, I take 13 mg Prednisone very day but forever trying to reduce down to 5mg a day but without success. Anything less than 13mg I really struggle. I have been taking it for 4 years and my consultant who sees me every 6 months tells me to reduce slowly as quickly as possible. Side effects include very vulnerable skin and tooth loss and Osteoporosis. At times of ingfsction I have been as high as 40mg a day for a week. I was diagnosed 14 years ago COPD Emphysema now 23% lung capacity.

[garshe in reply to hallentine47]

That doesn't sound good. Dont think I want to take long term with all those side effects. Hope you are able to reduce your dose soon. Wishing you good health.x Sheila

[megshafer]

garshe!! You are a very pretty fashionista!! You look so chic!! Love your boots...and everything else!!

Whatever you are doing, you keep doing you!!

Take care, and stay well!! Sorry, but I have absolutely no knowledge on prednisone

Meg

[garshe in reply to megshafer]

Thank you Meg. I love my clothes etc

The make up goes on every day and I always do my hair and get dressed up even if I am at home . Making the effort is what keeps me Positive. x Sheila

[garshe in reply to megshafer]

Think I better not take any more Prednisolone took 6 this morning as going out for the day. Ended up purchasing an Leopard Print coat and tan ankle boots. I blame the steroids.🤣🤣👍👍 I have gone for the Liz Taylor look🥰 not Bet Lynch 😱ol xxSheila.

[megshafer in reply to garshe]

Animal print is very in vogue now (hope it's faux, I love animals!) The tan ankle boots so versitable!! I love shopping, too....I bet you look gorgeous.

Have fun, stay well!!!

Meg

[garshe in reply to megshafer]

Definitely Faux Meg. I guess you can call me a shopaholic. Lol. Goodnight and good health. xx Sheila. 😴😴

[les4560]

hi there first of all I want to tell you how pretty you are!-I have been taking prednisone doe 2 month every day 6x a day the one problem I have notice it has all but destroyed my hair it has been so matted my daughter just cut 12 inches off I dont want to have another 12 inches cut off so im hopeing we can figure something out to save what I have left it is like I am sheding there is hair every where I will soon be off of it and cant be happier also I always wore my nails really long well the prednisone has destroyed those to=I hope you don't run in to those problem and glad you are do well!

[garshe in reply to les4560]

WOW! You must have very long hair to be able to cut 12ins off . My hair is short but I have to condition etc as the highlights dry it out. I have listed on my next reply the supplements I take which are fantastic for Hair, nails and skin. I love my long nails. Well I was born in a Welsh Village named CWMGWRACH. English meaning "The Valley of the Witches " lol. 😱😱💕💕

[les4560]

I forgot to tell you that the prednisone I take is for my eyes as im sure you can see the mistakes in my typing

[garshe in reply to les4560]

That sounds dreadfull all those side effects. I dont think I want to take it long term now ad too many problems. I take Chlorella , Spirulina and Turmeric. These supplements are great for Hair growth etc. Worth a try .xxSheila

[les4560 in reply to garshe]

thank you so much

[Bella395]

Garshe - have you had a steroid reversibility test? They do spirometry before and after a course of steroids and it determines whether they are helpful to your respiratory condition. Usually people with COPD have limited reversibility (or none) but those who have asthma (which is inflammatory) are reversible. However, if people with COPD have an infection, steroids may help to reduce the inflammation.

Steroids, particularly in high doses can make people feel generally better and this is one reason why they are sometimes prescribed in palliative care. As has been said, long term use is a decision not to be taken lightly. Talk to your respiratory consultant and then give it some thought.

[56life]

Gosh you look fab

[garshe in reply to 56life]

Thank you so much. I am a very Positive person and wont give in. Takes longer these days to get the face on lol but worth the effort. Indoors at present because of the Virus not going out unnecessarily but still put the make up on. I dont take the steroids often as I believe they can cause other problems only take when needed. Take all my supplements though as truly believe these help. My daughters did a lot of research and guided me in the right direction. Take care xx Sheila