What should I watch for taking Prednisone?

Well I just got back from the doctor again. The bronchitis is gone but now im having an asthma flare up, which is causing all the coughing and chest tightness. So my Doctor putting me on a short course of prednisone. I dont know what my dosage is yet for it im still waiting for the pharmacy to fill it. But I have never taken this before and I have heard some not so good things about it. I hear a lot about gaining weight...will I gain weight on a short course of the medication? I have no idea what to expect. Is there anything I should know or watch out for?

Ok thats good. I just got my Px and its only 10mg tablets and I take them for 9 days tappering off every 3 days.

1 tablet 3x daily for 3 days, 1 tablet 2x daily for 3 days, then 1 tablet 1x daily for 3 days.

No I was not told that but for the first 3 days I have to take it 3 times a day. I hope this makes me feel better! Im ready to get back to "normal".

Mia - i've got a chronic illness called Hashimoto's Encephalopothy (still probably spelling it wrong.)  Was on prednisone for 3 1/2 years - milligrams high to low, high to low... I was on many other meds as well, but this drug made me weak, gave me more facial hair than I cared for, my immune system was so low, weight gain, depression was off and on (mainly on), but, it did bring down the titers, the main reason I was on it.  Does what it's supposed to do, which is great, but side-effects are unbelievable.  --- I had to start taking it again in February, 2008, and just completely came off of it about 5 days ago.  Almost completely different this time, probably being on only 3 other drugs because of the illness.  I had major moon face & weight gain.  Coming off was big-time withdrawals, headaches, and very sick.   -----  I would not worry if your dosage is short-time.  All the people I know who do the prednisone (medrol pack - 6 or 7-day time period), have never had a problem - just feel alot better.  I believe and know from personal experience that short period (a week or four) is alot better than long term.  --- The weight gain should not effect you much if it's short term and I don't think the "moon face" will effect you.  If it does, when you get off of the drug, it usually goes away pretty quickly.  Believe me, I'm not a doctor, just was an advocate for myself for a long time, and again, this is my personal experience.  I take alot of calcium, drink lot's of water, and excercise (not the best at this) when I take prednisone.

Idahoan

Mia - I am sorry you had a bad night. You shouldn't have a problem on 10 mg's and tapering down 9 days until gone.  Like Carla said, if anything it will give you energy, especially if you've never taken it before.  I'm sure you've probably noticed that already.  And, it is wise to take in the a.m.  Good luck & I hope it all goes well.  You should coast right through this -- next thing you know, the 9 days will be up - will probably go fast !

 

Idahoan

I noticed it gives me a little bit of energy but then I crash. I get really tired and feel weak. But it can already feel it working. The chest tightness has already eased up.

Well im down to the last 3 days of my prednisone. I think it has helped even though my chest is sore and my ribs in my back are killing me between my shoulder blades. Hopefully this will end soon. Does anyone else get the back tightness with their asthma?

My next appt is not till August 15th.

Mia,

If you are not better in about two weeks, I would make an appointment to go ahead and see your doctor.  I would rather you be on the safe side.  I am not a physician, just a volunteer who has gone through a lot of asthma, allergies and now bacterial pneumonia.  I don't want you to take the chance of getting sicker when an office visit might take care of it.

Hugs!

Carla

There are several different classes of asthma meds and within those classes a few different drugs. You might try a different inhaled glucocorticoid- perhaps Mometasome would be more effective for you. Spiriva helps many people. Foradil is another. There are others- you might to "shop around" till you find the combination that works for you.
Albuterol via nebulizer every6 hrs. is more effective that the puffer. Dosing more often with albuterol will lessen its effetiveness. What is your age please ?
GL

Hi Mia,

I agree that you should at least let your doctor know about your current symptoms. I understand how you might be hesitant to call because you don't want to seem to be seen as a hypochondriac. Just remember,the doctor can't help if he doesn't know.

I am going through much the same thing. Asthma flare following a URI. I am also on antibiotics and prednisone and breathing treatments but I know why my chest, ribs, and back ache.  I only found out by keeping my doc informed.

I hope that you feel better. Please call your doctor's office.

Tom

It does sometime take a while to get back to normal, particularly if the asthma attack was caused by a secondary illness. It's understandable if you are still sore and achy. You've been through a lot.

As for wheezing, well I almost never wheeze. I have been diagnosed with cough variant asthma following a methacholine challenge test. Perhaps that's what you also have. When I have an attack I cough very severely and can't get a breath. The asthma drugs do help in relaxing the brochospasms. Although I am still vulnerable to irritants, I am much less vulnerable since I have been on a routine of asthma maintenance and rescue meds.

Because of the severe coughing my chest, ribs and back are very sore following an exacerbation. I'm no expert, these are just my experiences.I hope that you find some answers.
Good luck,
Tom

Pleurisy may be to blame for your back pain. Please call your doctor Monday if you don't experience improvement this weekend. Take care,