copd maintenance

[Amysmom]

Hi everyone new to the site, Have had copd for yrs now and like everyone else its getting worse. Has anyone done maintenance Prednisone along with an inhaler ?

[PaulineHM]

Hello,

No I haven’t ever taken prednisone as a maintenance medication only ever as a rescue med - it is helpful as such.

One year with an extended COPD exacerbation I ended up taking it for 5 months then it took me 6 months to withdraw from it- it was such a very tough year.

The side effects of corticosteroids are so extensive and horrible that I wouldn’t want to risk the long term effects.

Go well

Pauline

[Amysmom in reply to PaulineHM]

Thanks for the info and advise.

[Greenmil3]

I got stuck on high dose Trimbow and its been a complete ache getting off of it so I would echo Paulines comment be wary of high does corticosteroids unless you run out of other options.

[Amysmom in reply to Greenmil3]

Thanks for the info

[WalkingFootballerUk]

Hi Amysmom.

20 years COPD. FEV1/FVC changed from 55% to 25%. Oral steroids, Trimbow inhaler, Carbocisteine, salbutamol inhaler, alendronic acid.

Yes I’ve taken prednisolone 5mg for 4 years as maintenance then concerned with side effects so tried to reduce only to be referred to Endocrinologist to check cortisol levels from adrenal gland. ( the prednisolone had reduced my body’s natural production of cortisol-effectively putting it to sleep!).

They changed me to hydrocortisone but the side effects from that were worse so back to prednisolone and now reduced from 5 to 4 and now to 3 as maintenance.

Will stay on 3 over winter and aim to reduce to 2 in spring.

Fingers crossed, they’ve started blood tests and I’m being referred for consideration for a lung transplant.

All I would say is check about long term side effects of prednisolone or prednisone with consultant , read the leaflets and monitor changes to your appetite & gastric issues, skin, sleep patterns, bones, eyes and mental health. The benefits are anti inflammatory which is good for COPD but there are side effects.

Breathe easy…

WalkingFootballUk

[Amysmom in reply to WalkingFootballerUk]

Hi, read the stuff about Prednisone makes the bones weak over time. So will consult my Dr. I feel better when I take a real low dose less then 5 mg. But we shall see . Haven't been on it long term at all just wanted to see what everyone else had to say. Thanks

[WalkingFootballerUk in reply to Amysmom]

I take alendronic acid tablets once a week to counteract osteoporosis (weak bones/teeth).