What are the most common side effects of low dose steroids?

[Maya23]

I've been prescribed 10mg steroids, reducing by 2.5 every month until done. I am wondering whether to take it (if the anti-inflam diet doesn't work) but I am scared of the side effects, so would like to know what the most common ones are, and how people cope with them. thanks.

[Hidden]

As with any prescription medication there are pros and cons - benefits and risks.

All medicines may cause side effects, but most people have no, or minor, side effects.

Prednisone Most Common Side Effects

difficulty sleeping; feeling of a whirling motion; increased appetite; increased sweating; indigestion; mood changes; nervousness

With such a low dose (10mg with a taper schedule) your risk is very low and your benefit is very high.

Likely your biggest difficulty will be getting off of it. The taper might need to be extended even longer to lower the stress to your body.

As with all treatments the risk is yours to take but as it is advised by your doctor/s it is likely the best course of action for your particular set of issues.

Please take care and be well.

[Jude65]

I have not experienced any side effects on a low dose of steroids. The damage is what you can't see over a long period of taking them. Dr Graham Hughes says in his book 'Lupus the Facts' , that low doses, 7and a half and below in the short term cause very few side effects, mainly increased appetite and sleep disturbance. But in higher doses over the longer term can cause osteoporosis, weight gain, raised sugar level and muscle weakness.

I am reducing my dose down very slowly indeed from 8 mg, half a mg every 2 weeks and it's working well. I am now on 5 mg a day.

The benefits can outweigh the disadvantages because if your tissues are under attack from your auto-antibodies much damage can be done to the body. So don't be afraid to try them.

I have never had any trouble with weight gain but I do watch my diet carefully.

Good luck.

[bexs in reply to Jude65]

Hi I'm on the injection for about 3 years. after have platelet's of 2. all so all the meds for sle not liken me so I put on 4st in 3 years. Its the only thing that keeping me going. ever three mouths I say I.m not having it put by the time its due I'm crawlingto the doctors.. whats that saying cant live with them cant live with out them ( thats the steroids)

[poodlegal]

TRY AND SEE,EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT,IVE BEEN ON ALSORTS OF DOSES OF STERIODS FROM 40MG TO 5MG,YES SOME SIDE AFFECTS ARE AWFUL SOME NOT SO MUCH,ITS A VERY SMALL DOSE,SEE HOW YOU GO,LET US KNOW,GOOD LUCK X

[loopy-lou]

I have been on steroids continuously for 3 years from 40mg reducing back to 2.5. When needed I go higher(following consultants advice) but most of the time 2.5mg. When I am a high dose I am hungry and do tend to put on weight. When on a low dose weight is controllable. On a high dose I feel jittery and talk fast. I take Adcal-d3. I recently found I was much better on 10mg than back at 2.5mg. It may be worth trying and see how you feel. Good luck.

[irenestephen]

Hi

I have been on steroids since the lupus was diagnosed 13 years ago. I started at 40mg daily and this is now standing at 5 mg daily. Any lower and the lupus flares. As the others have said this can and has been increased when a flare up occurs and is needed to help give me a boost. Ocassionally I have had intravenous steroid too.

Personally I see it that I now have at least some quality of life on this medication - even the restricted one I have - but would be/and was worse off without them.

My weight is a problem but I if am honest with myself it is only part due to the steroids and the other part galaxy chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Only you can make the decision but on such a low dose I would'nt worry too much.

Take care

[Maya23]

Thanks for your comments, very helpful in deciding where I'm going with it all. Nice to think the drugs might actually work and give me a better quality of life than I'm currently having! I'm still nervous though and have decided not to decide for the time being. I don't have organ involvement so I don't think it's dangerous to wait.

[Maya23]

Well I've now been on the 10mg steroids for 4 days and I am experiencing some side effects as described by you above.. mostly feeling jittery, talkative, my mood swings from euphoria to tears, anger and nervousness, but this subsides in the afternoon, and i am back to 'normal' by the evening. I am sleeping slightly less than I would normally. All this will be worth it if it means the pain in my arms (muscle/tendons/joints) calms down and I can get on with my art work and things I enjoy, which will have a positive knock-on effect on my mental health (which has been on the floor this year).

I am hoping the side effects calm down over the next week or so, but I am feeling hopeful and relieved to have finally made a decision and got the treatment I need.