prednisone side effects

[Aqua47]

Does anyone ever have constipation as a side effect of prednisone?

[Kendrew]

Hi Aqua47,

Others with more knowledge will be along shortly, but my understanding is that Prednisone itself doesn't necessarily cause constipation but a side effect of taking it might.....

Taking Prednisone can in some instances cause potassium levels in your blood to drop below normal which in turn makes it more difficult for water to be absorbed into the stool. Over time this would lead to constipation.

There's also some evidence to show that messages from the brain to the stomach & intestines, telling the muscles to contract may be affected by some steroid medications, thus leading to the stools not moving as smoothly through the intestines.

These are both possible factors that may be contributing to your current issues but its still probably wise to discuss it with your medical practitioner so the right course of action for you can be decided upon.

[Aqua47 in reply to Kendrew]

Thanks for the info. I’m waiting for a referral to a rheumatologist, but I will try to get more potassium in my diet to see if that helps. I haven’t had a problem with constipation in years, only diarrhea. I think I have gone into remission with the colitis.

[123-go]

Have a look at this, Aqua47:

healthline.com/health/const....

I hope you get some relief soon but I have to remind you NOT to overdo the exercise.

[random901]

In my case, yes! But then I also have IBS. Fortunately sachets of laxido or movicol sort things out, but the feeling of toxicity is lousy!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Why are you blaming pred specifically? What other medications do you take? Has your bowel habit changed long term?

[Aqua47 in reply to PMRpro]

I was taking budesonide for collangeous colitis, but have gradually stopped over the past several months. I have had to take senna to have a bowel movement, but a couple of days ago, I could not go, and gave myself an enema. I saw my doctor for a follow-up, and he seemed to dismiss my thoughts that Pred caused the constipation.

[piglette in reply to Aqua47]

I don’t think I would blame pred if you need that sort of medication. I think I would look elsewhere for a reason for constipation first.

[Aqua47 in reply to piglette]

Thank you. I’m thinking I might have to see my gastroenterologist.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Aqua47]

I think you are right - pred shouldn't cause that sort of problem on its own.

[piglette in reply to Aqua47]

Good idea

[Lickle in reply to piglette]

My GP prescribed Omeprazole 20mg daily along with the Pred to counteract any bowel problems. I think he was referring more to diarrhea though but, excuse the description, I've been solid as a rock ever since. I was also diagnosed with anaemia at the blood test so my doc recommended a Folic Acid supplement. So now my stools look like I've been drinking Guinness ! But everything has been perfect down there.

[piglette in reply to Lickle]

As long as you are happy!

[baroquemusic in reply to Aqua47]

Hello Acqua-47 - Loads of meds (usually) can cause constipation, esp 70+ so hard to know. Your GP does not seem very helpful?! I've had severe constipation which started just over a year ago, when I was bleeding because of this. My GP examined me, and said it was probably the 1 or more piles in the nether regions that was causing the bleeding - but she straight away gave me a stool softener, and I took these as described on the satchets.. However, shortly after starting Movicol I went on a cruise, and swum every day and also had to walk quite a distance to get to the restaurants on the ship - and I did not need to take the Movicol again. I have OA quite badly in my knees but worse in my back, and cannot swim where I live but have been given a little exercise gadget by a friend - and also eat lots of prunes urghh - and just keep some Senacot with me if things get really bad again. I find this helps better thanf the meds - but it may not do this for others. I have taken steroids for almost 10 years and also lanzoprozole - and don't think these are causing the constipation, as I am 78 and most pple my age do have problems with this. Good luck, and best of health! Try different things - and ask your GP to explain!!

[agingfeminist]

I suspect the constipation that I have since starting pred is the greatly reduced amount of movement I do. From highly active to weak muscles (they are a side effect of the pred). But I find that drinking extra really helps. I drink many cups of very dilute coffee (no sugar, no milk) mainly throughout the morning. I have a very high fiber diet ...thick soups with 8 vegetables and a tin of black/white beans. Hope it gets sorted soon.

[Daffodilia]

Not sure if pred or Adcal - maybe try prunes?

[YogaJM]

Yes, big time when I first started on 15mgs and before I was on the other drugs. I used Senna, and it gradually improved as I came down through the doses. I absolutely believe the steroids slowed my bowels remarkably.

[Petros-1931]

May I recommend the good old historic recommendation..PRUNES.5 WITH Breakfast cereal and 5 with yoghurt at bedtime. Also very suitable for Aqua47, water, water and even more water.

[perceptual63]

🤚

Since starting prednisone I've had to take a stool softener daily and it really helps.

[Aqua47 in reply to perceptual63]

May I ask how much you have to take? I’ve taken 3 senna tablets at night and a dose of Miralax around noon.

[perceptual63 in reply to Aqua47]

I'm in the US and take 100 mg of Colace Clear stool softener daily, but I also have most of my colon removed 25 years ago due to severe constipation that was acquired from a bad fall off a ladder. So your dosage will probably higher than mine.

For me, experiencing constipation again was a little alarming as surgery had corrected that. Miralax is way too strong for me and is just like taking a colon prep.

Someone on a Facebook PMR support group recommended that I try a stool softener and so far so good. I also make sure I'm well hydrated throughout the day which also greatly helps.

I hope stool softeners work for you.

[Chiqui1950 in reply to Aqua47]

Dear Aqua47, I will add probiotics to the list of helpful things to correct the constipation--- it has allowed me to restore my normal bowel movements, along with potasium pill and walking--- prunes have also been helpful. Best of luck resolving this very annoying and worrisome issue!

[Myfoe]

I haven’t noticed worse constipation after adding prednisone but two of my other meds do cause it I take Metamucil everyday and I drink more water than anyone I know it sure helps keep me regular being severely constipated is very miserable and painful

[micpenn222]

Yes bad constipation when I was on Pred. Now that I am off bowel habits have returned to normal...kind of points the finger in that direction, in my case anyway. While most get diarrhea from pred, I have heard many reports of others that get the opposite.

[Camelian]

I started getting constipated about 6 months ago I'd been on predesalone for 2 years so didn't think it was responsible. I've had a number of investigations including a colonoscopy and everything was ok🙏 they said sometimes your bowel can slow down and told me to eat more fiber btbh I'm more inclined to attribute it to long term medication just not sure which one. I have prunes and high fiber diet and it helps. As advised by others though I would always get it checked out by your GP to be on the safe side.Good luck🤞