All that I can say is anyone taking this medication, be prepared....

Prednisone DOES save lives, but I agree, it's a horrific and awful drug to be on, especially long term. What I don't get is why it reduces inflamation so well, yet causes bigtime swelling! It seems to work wonders on autoimmune disorders and kidney problems, but there are far too many side effects to deal with, that make it almost not worth it. I'd hate to be the guy who takes prednisone for something as stupid as poison ivy and develop diabetes from it :( Prednisone has helped me in more ways than I can count, but I don't recognize myself in the mirror anymore and I hate what I have become on it. I look seriously overweight in the face and have pockets of fat in places I never had before. I have also become very aggressive and moody, flying off the handle at the smallest thing. Little things bother me like the sound of coins in someone's pocket jiggling around for example. I haven't felt like myself in 9 months and I miss feeing "normal" sigh...