Long term Prednisolone.

[horseblister]

30 July 1969 I had my first dose of Prednisolone because of my Asthma, I was in such a state that the consultant said I would not live to the end of the week (two days away) I had a small daughter not yet a year old and my mother had throat cancer, so I took the tablets and got slightly better so I was sent back to the farm where I lived with my parents as I was separated from my husband. I was on and off prednisolone through the 70s but by February 1989 after a lot of problems another consultant put me on a maintenance dose of 10mg. prednisolone a day. I have been in hospital on several occasions with pneumonia or appendicitis/mass pelvic inflammation ( I cannot have general anaesthetics) but the consultant down to junior doctors all give me the steroids are bad for you lecture. I just have to listen and then try and explain why. I know that it gives you thin skin, it tears and the muscles are weak, My asthma has been quite bad at times but I manage to get through it some how. I now have other morbidities now Type two diabetes, Atrial Fibrillation, Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency caused by steroids, Osteoporosis, and Osteoarthritis. I get depressed a lot and I have anxiety attacks, I dont sleep well at night but can easily fall asleep after a meal. I will be 75 in October and have been happily married since November 1981 and I have a wonderful son. Apart from the times I have been in hospital and have been told I only have three days to live, Life has not been too bad. Every day is a bonus.

[lakelover]

It seems you have a great attitude to your problems. Well done & all best wishes for your future with your family.

[horseblister in reply to lakelover]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

I nearly died 12 years ago after having my son. I had asthma approximately 4 years so every day is a bonus for me. You have an amazing attitude to the way life has treated you.

[horseblister in reply to Hidden]

I was diagnosed with asthma when I was 4 years old, it may have been because of the new NHS but before that doctors just said I was a lazy breather and a bit bronchial.

[shirl13]

That's more or less my story. My first steroids where February 1967 when I was 14. Over the years I was on and off them along with various inhalers and tablets. In 1991 I was put on 40mg, titrating down to 20mg at 5mg per week, then down 1mg a week to supposedly 10mg maintenance. Never worked, each time I reduced I would have a bad flare up. I have taken them every day since (maintenance dose 20mg) along with 3 inhalers and various tablets for asthma, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, muscle wastage etc. I alway say if I hadn't taken them i'd be 6 foot under by now. Yes they have given me other conditions but I'd rather that than not be here for my family. Take care

[horseblister in reply to shirl13]

Sorry that you too have been on them for such a long time, Gosh 20mg a day and my gp complains that I'm on 10mg a day. I too am on a catalogue of inhalers and tablets and have a stream of other conditions I'm glad you replied, thank you, keep smiling. I love your spirit.

[shirl13]

My consultant would like to reduce mine and is currently trying azithromycin but only 3 days a week instead of every day I tried last year. Unfortunately am having trouble with side effects so am going to stop them and see if things improve. My GP was of the opinion that having an exacerbation of my asthma every time I reduced the prednisolone wasn't worth it as I would have to go back up to 40mg and titrate back down again. I do try to reduce beast I've managed is 18mg. Keep your pecker up, we're still here. Take care

[horseblister]

I see my consultant in six months time as I have just seen him this month and he has no plans to alter my meds at the moment they are prednisolone 10mg a day, Fostair200,two puffs twice a day montelukast one at night and tiotropium two puffs once a day. I have to use a spacer for the Fostair because I am intolerant of day powder inhalers. Trying to reduce prednisolone never worked for me I would get down to 7mg or 6mg then end up back in hospital so I am on 10mg. I am glad that the weather cooled down I was beginning to struggle.