Side Effects of Prednisone

Bananagirl,
While I am also a new member on this website, and am by far, NOT as experienced as most on here, I can tell you that Prednisone has helped my son get past the worst parts of this disease so far.   He is 14 and was diagnosed in February of this year.  He started out after leaving the hospital in February, on 50 mg a day, then was weaned down to 40 mg, 30mg, 30 mg 20mg to eventually 5mg a day from March until May.   He was doing fine and in May had a flare up.   they boosted him back up to 40 mg a day and it took about 10 days until we started seeing some improvement.   He had developed "moonface" but he was always so thin that it actually looked like he had put on a little "good" weight, and that eventually went away.  He also developed some acne, but we were able to keep that under control after seeing his dermatologist.   And to be honest, the acne was easier to deal with  than the pain and cramping that he had been dealing with. It's like trying to figure out what it the lesser of two evils.    At least he was able to be out with his friends instead of house bound to the bathroom.   He is also on VSL#3DS.  you mentioned that you take acidophilus 1 billion.   The VSL#3DS is 900 billion good bacteria per sachet.  He takes 1/2 a sachet per day mixed in with his gatorade.

While I was not an advocate of him being on Prednisone, for just the reasons that you noted,  it definitely has shown its benefits.   My understanding (although I am still learning a lot about this disease) is that it is used to get the conditon under control and reduce the inflammation. Not sure that I would want to see him on it long term and the Dr has already told us that his condition is steriod dependent.  

Whatever you decide, I hope that you feel better soon.  I would also be interested in hearing whether or not any of the other meds and supplements that you are taking have been beneficial to you.

Stay strong!!   

 

bananagirl, I jsut finished a long course of prednisone and I had a lot of side effects. While I was miserable with the side effects, if you can get on and off in a relatively quick course, you probably won't experience too many side effects. My intent was to be on pred for a couple months but I couldn't taper down without having my symptoms return. eventually I had to add 6mp and wait months, on pred the whole time, for 6mp to start helping my immune system to regulate. I still have some noticible side effects from being on the drug for so long (weight, moonface and joint aches). It is awful but it's better than feeling like I am not capable of doing anything. You have to do something to stop this flare. You probably only have 2 options according to your GI, prednisone or Remicade. Would you prefer to try Remicade and possibly avoid prednisone? I didn't really have acne or weak immune system, I didn't get sick the whole time I was on prednisone. I am not saying you should do it or not do it, you have to do what is right for you. Maybe if I went back in time, knowing what I know now, I may have opted to try Remicade and get off prednisone faster. I would have maintained my figure and it looks like I am headed in that direction regardless. It did buy me some time for which I am thankful.

Hey banana,
I was on Pred a couple of months ago, for about 1 month. I was completely terrified of taking it cause of all the side effects you hear about. But my doc put me on a small dose for a short time and I had no side effect on the outside, and none to speak of on the inside (that i know of). I am taking Salofalk (asa) and was bleeding alittle everyday and it seems the pred "cured" it. I had an amazing result with pred. I hope to god i will never have to take it again tho! Sorry to hear about your problems, but i say give it a try, or you'll never know...

Hi Banana girl!  I'm on prednisone right now, and yes I have a lot of symptoms that are driving me nuts!  For me personally, I have not seen an improvment in my flare-up symptoms as a result of being on prednisone.  So I am currently keeping a food-diary and trying to get serious about healing through changing my diet.  It sounds like a lot of other people have experienced relief through prednisone, and maybe everyone responds differently.  But definitely continue to seek treatment, whether through diet change or meds, don't give up!

thanks for all the replies! you've given me a lot to think about. the only thing my doctor recommended to me was prednisone so i don't know of the other medications i could take. he's pretty "my way or the highway" when it comes to drugs and doesn't give me a choice on what to take. i'm hesistant because he said he wants me on a 5 ASA when i'm done the prednisone even though i had such bad reactions.

i didn't mention this earlier but the last time i took prednisone, i had an allergic reaction and ended up in the hospital. my doctor says that he'd rather risk it because the benefits of the drug are so positive. i just don't want that to happen again!

Long term prednisone user here. roughly 7+ years. Im active, lift regularly and work full time but I would not recommend going on prednisone. If I had a redo, Id have gone on Remicade right away or surgery.

The side effects are that severe for me and some of them feel permanent. Everyone is different though.

ahh and this just came to my mind. did you guys still take your supplements when on prednisone? i've heard calcium is good to take so i plan on continuing my multi vitamin.

Happy to hear that you have hope! Just since joining this forum yesterday...along with doing some major research (and praying) in the past 24 hrs, I've decided to take some supplements. I probably should be getting some expert advice from a nutritonist, but for now I'm relying on my own research (my doc hasn't been at all helpful in this area). Anyway, I read that people on prednisone are likely to become vitamin D deficient, so you may want to consider that. After one week of eliminating cow's milk from my diet, I've seen a slight improvement in my flare-up. So just today I bought a calcium/vitD combo pill. I also picked up a probiotic/mulitvitamin combo and a krill oil supplement. I'm six wks into a 12 wk prednisone plan...so I'll keep you posted on how it goes w/ these supplements!

I was on prednisone many years ago when my UC was active. was on a relative high dose and the main side affect I remember is that I was starving, which is ironic as the last thing you want to do is eat when it gives you so much pain.

Hey Banana,
This has got to be so hard for you right now. You can do it, though! Try some deep breathing and meditation if you can. Drink A LOT of water. I have been in the same boat as far as dreading the prednisone. I have had no other choice several times since my diagnosis, and it has worked/ *eventually* gotten the inflammation down. For now, focus on getting this to a manageable state. Once you get there, and are healthier, maybe you'll be able to find another GI doc (I myself went through several to find someone who I felt comfortable with), and if not, then at least be able to research diet, supplements and other alternatives.
The point is, Yes, prenisone side effects blow, but the drug has worked for me, and gotten me to a place where I could at least make progress.
You'll get through this, just be sure to keep in touch with your doc, I agree with Notsosickly, let 'em know all of your symptoms because your tongue doesnt sound so good.
Don't forget, deep breaths :)

Make sure you tell your doctor you're planning to stop...from what I've read you still need to taper down because I guess it can can cause some other serious side effects if you just stop suddenly. Also, as mentioned in some previous posts...maybe you should ask about doing the Remicade treatment instead.

Wow! That's no way to treat someone! I too was in tears over starting Pred...especially since I also have a history of being very sensitive to these drugs! ...but now the choices are down. Pred or Remicade...which is the lesser of the two evils? I figure Pred would be short term and if it works, get me out of this flare so I can continue on LDN! Can't do Remicade and LDN as they cancel each other out.

I started Pred this past Sat, June 4th. I think the hardest thing was getting over the first dose..consider my first dose of Asacol left me bed ridden all day! Now I'm learning to take it one moment at a time. Learning how to deal with the side effects. amazingly enough the Hydrocortisone enema hit me fast and hard....it seems the Pred it taking it's time. I'm now day 6 and my ankles are just starting to swell up, but my stools seem to be improving. Also learning to deal with the acid built up in my tummy at night.

It's a tough call and people shouldn't be so insensitive...but it all due to their ignorance. Yea...I hear of Pred being use for lots of stuff but not at our dose level! It's up to you to make the call and your family should be supporting you either way. The important thing is to get out of a flare asap. The longer you're in the harder it will be!

Have you research other options such as Entocort, Budesonide enema/suppositories/LDN or get a full work up at Mayo Clinic? I've done all that and it helps to have th full understanding of your current condition and choices.

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Just read the posts...so you started. Did you stop yet? Sounds like you got forced into taking it. That's the worst thing anyone could do! You got to go in with the right mind set. Please drop us a post and let us know how you're doing. I'll be praying for you!!!