I have COPD and due to my exacerbations my doctor prescribed pred...

I have COPD and due to my exacerbations my doctor prescribed prednisone to help eliminate the problem. Each time I have this problem I use prednisone. I take 40mg for 3 days, 30 mg for 3 days , 20mg for 3 days, 10mg for 3 days and 5mg for 3 days This regimen usually works. The two side effect I have noticed by taking predisone is I get severe leg cramps during the night, once, sometimes two times each night. Believe me, it is not fun waking up to leg cramps. I have also gained 15 lbs. probably due to the prednisone. And I must admit that there is a certain amount of irritability on my part when I'm on this drug. This drug was great for me in the beginning but has turned into a living hell since then. I plan to tell my doctor that I will not use this drug and to come up with something better for my COPD problem.