taking 50 mg prednisone since yesterday - 2 doses only so far. ...

hello--you are the first to mention this condition. i have been diagnosed with chronic angioedema and it has become life threatening. the doctors say that it's idiopathic--can't tell what's causing it--and don't seem to know how to treat it. i've been living with a minimum of 75 mg. of benedryl for the last four years but sometimes i've got to up that dosage to round-the-clock so some days as high as 450 mg. i'm allergic to meat protein, sea food, dairy, sodium, and most spices. about 3 weeks ago i had a vegan meal at an indian restaurant and the spices accelerated my condition so on the drive back from the eatery my throat began to close and swallowing and breathing became difficult. i have had about 8 such episodes since then and have had to call 911 for emergency treatment to get things under control. on my first visit to the er about 2 weeks ago, in addition to the shot of epinephrine, i was given an iv in they put a shot of benedryl and a shot of some sort of steroid. the doctor gave me a script for prednisone which was on a sliding scale (low dosage for one week.) i ended back up in the er about 4 days later and was given the benedryl and same steroid (think it started with an "s") again, and pepcid (doctor said it was for g-i and would help to limit the histamine being released into my system. since then, i have gotten the swollen belly side effect which i believe is from the prednisone (the angioedema causes blood vessels to swell beneath the skin but i don't think any swelling of this magnitude can be attributed to that). i have yet to find out if this swelling can be reversed with treatment or will go away of it's own accord. i've tried reading up on the reversal of the side effects but just hear more about how horrific they are--you all are truly in my prayers, keep your heads up!!!--so if anyone has experienced the dissipation of the side effects, please let me know and how soon after discontinuing the drug i can expect this disfigurement to go away. i too am dealing with depression for which i am prescribed but i dare not take the meds--far more too many side effect which with to deal and like others here, i have no support system. i am the mother of the most wonderful 10-year old girl -- she is my heart and my world but i dare not have her live with me because of this life threatening/life altering condition.

sharing and hoping for good feedback.

blessings.

-vanessa williams