Would like to know if anyone with Bronchiectasis is taking Prednisolone, along with their other meds. I was diagnosed with Sarcoid in 2005 and had been taking it since then. However, my consultant in May, said there is now no sign of Sarcoid on my lungs, just the Bronchiectasis. Not sure if l should still be taking the Pred, as no one has said anything.
Predisinole: Would like to know if... - Lung Conditions C...
Predisinole
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falcon68
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Hi falcon68, my husband has COPD and was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 1991. He was put on 30mg of pred for a long time and developed osteoporosis as a result. He now takes 10mg pred each morning as doesn’t function well without it. No sign of sarcoidosis which is good.
Have a chat to your bronch specialist if you have one. Take care xxx
of course your consultant should make the decision but oral steroids are not a treatment for bronch alone. Only if there is another condition such as asthma copd alongside the bronch. It can be found in the guidelines for the treatment of nronchiectasis.
With the caveat that I’m not medically qualified. As you’ve been appropriately taking steroids for 17 years for sarcoidosis, even though that condition appears to have resolved, you’re most likely steroid dependent at this stage. That doesn’t necessarily mean you can never come off them (although for some it will), but does mean that attempting to do so would need to be a medically managed, very long, very slow process to avoid serious problems. After just a couple of weeks on corticosteroids like pred, patients usually have to taper before stopping so the body can take over natural hormone production again. This is because steroids suppress the function of the adrenal glands, and the longer you take them, the longer it usually takes for the adrenals to kick back in, if they’re going to. Suddenly stopping them, or even reducing the dose too quickly, can cause adrenal crisis, which is a medical emergency.
I would continue as you have been for now, but definitely raise the question with your respiratory team so you know what the longer term plan is.
crashdoll in reply to
I agree, you absolutely shouldn’t stop them suddenly. You may have a very slow tapering schedule if they think that’s helpful.
I am on steroids but I think, in some ways, it makes my bronchiectasis worse as it suppresses my immune system and then I am more likely to get chest infections but it’s a careful balancing act.
Definitely speak to your respiratory team and also whoever manages your sarcoid.
hi i have bronciactsis and ra among other things, at the start of the pandemic i was on 10mg of prednisone a day, at the start i was on 60mg and had a lot of problems with them. My consultant said to come off them will take a long time as your body is used tp them. I started in lock down 1 mg a month got stuck on 2 for 2 months and eventually got of them all together it best part of a year, so if you want to start slowly, it will take time you will feel bad some days but in the end it is wirth is. Lost over 1 and a half stone, feel better in my self. More energy, good luck. Take care and stay safe.
As with above I too took prednisone at the start of bronchiectasis treatment, however after various consultations at Wythenshawe a and Aintree respiratory teams the majority of specialists in the profession advised to come off as it weakens the immune system and invites bugs to thrive, since coming off I have had 1 chest infection per year but unfortunately have the dreaded covid at present... Feeling OK, feels like a flu bug.... Good luck
I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2004 and started on prednisolone a few years later to make the RA pain more manageable.
In 2012 I developed a cough and had a chest x-ray in December that year. I saw an asthma consultant and she spotted a shadow in one lung, diagnosed as bronchiecstasis. On speaking to my mum, I had bronchitis very badly as as a baby, and the dr thought that was the probable cause of the bronch. I have been on higher doses of prednisone since then, up to 60mg for chest infections, but now I’m on 10mg a day which works well for my RA and lungs, but I am now steroid dependent.
I agree with all the above. If you don’t need prednisone you need to be stopping it, but this needs to be a very slow taper after all these years. I’m sure you will feel better when your off it but may notice a few aches and pains that were there before. Good luck I hope your doctor is supportive.
Hi falcon68, i have the same condition as you and when i took pred it made me feel better quickly but my GP would not renew my prescription unfortunately, so if you have them available I would take them. I hope this is helpful to you.
Hi. I have been on steroids since I was less than ten years old I’m 72 in November and have only had a break from them as a teenager when I was given an self-administered injection of ACTH (now unavailable). At the time in the 1950’s I was diagnosed with Asthma which later when I was 12 yrs old was diagnosed with aspergillus and later Bronchiectasis.
My consultants have tried three times to get me off them but I struggled, eventually they said I best just stay on them. I think they thought I was well and truly addicted after all this time.
This is the nub of your question; I have Bronchiectasis and they tried to get me off steroids so it must be possible. However as many previous replies state it is a complex issue and need managing properly, you cannot just stop taking them.
There are side effects, I have a touch of osteoporosis, high blood pressure, some water retention and weight gain. All of which need managing, ie more pills. I lead a normal life and only have issues walking up long steep hills.
If I were you, I’d have a serious conversation with your consultant. Be prepared for it to take quite a long while.
