I totally agree with Dunn. Sometimes a short weaning dose of pred (10 days max) can help with a serious URI, but it truly is not the kind of drug you want on a regular basis. I know there are docs who still prescribe it as though it were the only drug available. Those are the ones who seriously need to go back to school and get updated on pulmonary medicine.
Can't honestly say that the pred caused my cataracts as both grandmothers had them, but the surgery was simple and glad I got it all done and over with. Only need "readers" now and can once again drive at night. My distance vision is 20/20
Last time I was on it was some years ago - caused me hours of insomnia - I sent a heck of a lot of long emails long past midnight. Got told my cataracts will probably need attention next year sometime. Hopefully I will get my new glasses next week and I might see a bit better.
I was on injectable prednisone in the hospital when I was first diagnosed with respiratory failure. Because of that, it induced a diabetic reaction (I don't have diabetes), they had to give me insulin! They sent me home 5 days later with prednisone and how to taper down. It was a horrible experience. I love to read, but I shook so much that I couldn't hold the book steady! I know it's an effective anti inflammatory drug, but like you said, long term use has adverse side effects. I hope you are successful with the tapering down. I think is you do it that way, you can use it here and there short term. Best of luck Don!!
About ten years ago I was first introduced to this wonderful (sic) drug.It was a 7 or 10 day taper. I went from barely dragging myself out of bed to actually running up the block; felt like I was born again! Needless to say; that didn't last. A few months later, a second round didn't have the same effect.
Fast forward two years to a new State and a new Doctor who put me on a maintenance dose of 10mg. Started getting side effects, most notably - muscle wasting and change in vision. Doc said not to worry, I needed to take it for the anti-inflammatory properties. Like an obedient little puppy dog, I continued to take it. About a year later, I developed cataracts and needed surgery. Eye doc said the pred brought it on. Doc still said I had to continue on the pred. While at pulmonary rehab, one of the nurses asked why I was taking prednisone; when I told her she said you need to stop that stuff. However, she didn't tell me I had to wean off and I went into some kinda shock (adrenal crisis) after stopping. Went back on after learning about weaning and have been trying to get off ever since. Any time I have a flare-up, I take a burst and then have to start weaning all over again to avoid adrenal crisis. I am presently at 5mg and tapering.
I totally agree with Dunn. Sometimes a short weaning dose of pred (10 days max) can help with a serious URI, but it truly is not the kind of drug you want on a regular basis. I know there are docs who still prescribe it as though it were the only drug available. Those are the ones who seriously need to go back to school and get updated on pulmonary medicine.
Can't honestly say that the pred caused my cataracts as both grandmothers had them, but the surgery was simple and glad I got it all done and over with. Only need "readers" now and can once again drive at night. My distance vision is 20/20
Last time I was on it was some years ago - caused me hours of insomnia - I sent a heck of a lot of long emails long past midnight. Got told my cataracts will probably need attention next year sometime. Hopefully I will get my new glasses next week and I might see a bit better.
I was on injectable prednisone in the hospital when I was first diagnosed with respiratory failure. Because of that, it induced a diabetic reaction (I don't have diabetes), they had to give me insulin! They sent me home 5 days later with prednisone and how to taper down. It was a horrible experience. I love to read, but I shook so much that I couldn't hold the book steady! I know it's an effective anti inflammatory drug, but like you said, long term use has adverse side effects. I hope you are successful with the tapering down. I think is you do it that way, you can use it here and there short term. Best of luck Don!!
About ten years ago I was first introduced to this wonderful (sic) drug. It was a 7 or 10 day taper. I went from barely dragging myself out of bed to actually running up the block; felt like I was born again! Needless to say; that didn't last. A few months later, a second round didn't have the same effect.
Fast forward two years to a new State and a new Doctor who put me on a maintenance dose of 10mg. Started getting side effects, most notably - muscle wasting and change in vision. Doc said not to worry, I needed to take it for the anti-inflammatory properties. Like an obedient little puppy dog, I continued to take it. About a year later, I developed cataracts and needed surgery. Eye doc said the pred brought it on. Doc still said I had to continue on the pred. While at pulmonary rehab, one of the nurses asked why I was taking prednisone; when I told her she said you need to stop that stuff. However, she didn't tell me I had to wean off and I went into some kinda shock (adrenal crisis) after stopping. Went back on after learning about weaning and have been trying to get off ever since. Any time I have a flare-up, I take a burst and then have to start weaning all over again to avoid adrenal crisis. I am presently at 5mg and tapering.
Bottom line..............I hate prednisone!