Prednisone Queen

[Caroljoy60]

I have Asthma and have taken Prednisone of and on for years. My cortisol usually bounces back and my Adrenals get better. Not this time. So, I am on maintenance dose of 5 mg a day. And if I get sick, I will again be on short term, big dose. I just wonder if 5 mg a day is safe to take.

[grannyk3]

Caroljoy60, If you don't feel comfortable with what you have been prescribed then the person you should be talking to is one who has prescribed the 5mg daily dose of prednisone. You can also talk to a pharmacist about any concerns you have.

Krysta 😊

[TEDTHEBEAR in reply to grannyk3]

I too have to take 5mg for the rest of my live as my adrenal glands are not working. I double up when I'll, and if I am vomiting have to go to hospital for a steroid injection straight away as without any steroids in the system it is dangerous. Have recently tried hydrocortisone instead of prednislone but they didn't agree with me.

If your adrenal glands are not working it would be more dangerous not to take them.

[Bronagh2015 in reply to TEDTHEBEAR]

I'm exactly the same! After 20 years of continual steroid use of different doses my adrenal glands have gone into retirement! Very very dangerous not to take them, do you wear a medibracelet? I'm considering one.

[TEDTHEBEAR in reply to Bronagh2015]

No I don't wear a medibracelet but have been advised too by my doctor, so am going to order one. Its important that all doc tors and also dentists are aware of us being on permanent steroids due to adrenal gland failure.

[Bronagh2015 in reply to TEDTHEBEAR]

Yeah at my last appointment my Consultant said the same to me! it's in my handbag but I don't always take it with me. I thought getting a medibracelet might be a bit OTT but I'm changing my mind now.

[Terrymc]

The pred thing seems to be a bit of a guessing game. I've been on doses between 50 and 5mg in the last twelve months. I was tapered off but began to feel much worse, so im back on 5mg after a month on10. Its about balancing curative effects against possible side effects. Thats my inference anyway.

[TEDTHEBEAR in reply to Terrymc]

Yes I think your right. I have been on and off them for different reasons for over 20 years. I had no choice not to take them, as they saved my life its just a shame that the side effects for some can be adrenal gland failure, and the only treatment is staying on steroids. Unfortunately a lot of people are not aware of it.

I am grateful though that they saved me.

[sarcoid123]

Thank you all very much. I have been taking 5mg of prednisolone steroid for 12+ years, going up to 30mg for 5 days if I have a lung infection/cold. I had not realised that most probably my adrenal glands were not working any more. I had not thought of asking advice from the doctor if I have a vomiting bug. That's a great tip, but I hope it doesn't happen!

I have a medical alert necklace that unscrews, and inside I have a typed list if all my ailments and medications, doctor and hospitals phone numbers with hospital numbers etc etc. I have even put on the reverse side the phone numbers I would need if my handbag goes missing such as bank phone number to cancel credit card, and more. My watch also has alert messages on it with my my medical problems, and says "please unscrew my necklace". The watch also has facility to set alarms for times to take medicine, although the beeps are a bit too quiet for me always to hear it, so I set the times on my mobile phone which I wear in a waist bag with my tablets.

Christine sarcoid123

[Bronagh2015 in reply to sarcoid123]

Good for you Christine! I think I've been careless about it all so I'm definitely ordering my bracelet today. Thankyou for giving me the wake up call. 😊 Bronagh

[Beth1949]

I have been on prednisone for years (30-40 mg per day). Although I have read that long term is not good for you. Fortunately, I don't have the usual side effects of weight gain or jitters. My body is use to it. My specialist just recently put me on a steriod inhaler which as made a world of difference. I am now trying to wean off of prednisone, I am down to 30 mg per day (you have to taper the dosage very slowly), and starting to get down to 20, hopefully, then 10 mg per day. Also, when reducing the amount, I have noticed an increase in joint discomfort (I'm 67), since prednisone is an anti-inflammatory med.

Being on prednisone, I have my eyes checked regularly for signs of glaucoma.

5 mg is a small amount, you shouldn't have an issue.

Beth