after effects of prednisolone.!

It is now 2 weeks since i stopped prednisolone, after being on them for 3 weeks. i feel slightly better some days, but also, some days i feel absolutely awful! So tired, no energy, nervy, not sleeping, and when i do sleep, its for about 3 hours then i wake feeling anxious, and never have a decent night. My appetite was extremely good when taking pred, but now it is diminishing. I s it normal to still fell like this? I m seeing my GP tomorrow, and she better have some answers!. i never want to take steroids again, and hope next time i have a bad chest infection i can just have antibiotics and nebuliser. I know, some people Have to take steroids, and i feel for them.

[Hidden]

Normally if you are on steroids for longer than a fortnight you need to taper off them - just stopping them straight away can be dangerous. Steroids can also give you, to quote Blur ' a sense of enormous wellbeing' so it maybe you are missing how good they made you feel too.

They stimulate a bit of your brain that will tell you constantly you are hungry hence the increase in appetite.

I'd definitely ask your GP and tell them what you have been experiencing.

Marie x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou, yes i did wean off them as the doctor told me to.I just hope i feel myself again soon, its very debilitating.Yes, i did feel good when i was on them, lots of energy,and my chest was better. I guess i just need to be patient.

[ingy]

Hi sheepdog, yes I feel the same as you. Just had a months course as I had pneumonia, was off them for 10 days, now back on them plus more antibios. My sleep is awful, as you say, fall asleep ok but only for a couple of hours, eat anything and everything, and also get swollen legs. But....after reading the blog about inflamation, I think its probably better to take the prednisilone.I too will be interested to hear what the DR says.

best wishes, ingrid.

[pollyjj]

I only took them for 5 days this time grudgingly I may say and the troubles started after about the 3rd day they make me feel really ill. It is now about 3 weeks since I took the last one and I still do not feel right especially my feet and legs. Resp nurse said if I need them again they will look at stronger antibiotics she said they do have patients that just cant tolerate them.

polly xx

[Hidden in reply to pollyjj]

thankyou for reply, yes, they have made me feel so awful too, my legs dont feel right still, and i did have swollen feet, but gone now thankfully. Had tingly hands, felt sick constantly, cant sleep, theres no end to these side effects!, but i must say, i think i have turned the corner today, i feel a little more energy, less tired, and sort of normal again(if thats possible).

[meldrum]

prednisoline,has a huge range of '''possible ''side affects ,lf taken over a long period of time........putting on weight,,,,[ water retention ] thinning of the skin,,,blood problems,,,,,thinning of bones ,joint pain etc' etc'.....for a full countdown go to ''GOOGLE'' you have been warned

[Hidden in reply to meldrum]

thankyou. yes i have had many of those side effects, not nice!, i have been into google and looked up prednisolone. Very worrying.

[sassy59]

Good luck at the doctors and hope you get some answers. Pete cannot come off them but takes 10mg per day. If he takes more due to chest infection, he has to reduce them slowly back down again. Pred does have many side affects as meldrum says and Pete has most of them but what's a man to do?! Take care. xxxx

[Hidden in reply to sassy59]

Thankyou, my doctor was quite sympathetic today, and i feel a lot easier. She is sending me for blood tests just to check a few things out. I must admit, today i almost feel normal again, with a bit more energy, (even pushed my little grandaughter round the park) but got bit tired and the cold air began to make chest hurt after 20 mins. But i feel more positive.

[meldrum]

try covering your mouth with a lighf scarf

[Hidden in reply to meldrum]

yes, i do put scarf round my nose and mouth, but have to hold it with one hand, because if i tie it i feel like im suffocating, but now its been suggested to use a snood, that would be much easier, so i shall try that now. It does help to have something round your mouth. The cold air hurts and cant do us much good. Though i am not as advanced in my copd as a lot of other people, its still uncomfortable in cold weather.

[meldrum]

i have a neck warmer''''you pull it over your head;; .it is made by EQUAFLEECE,,very soft and ideal for covering you mouth'''''check out ......equafleece.co.uk......good luck ''