I've been prescribed Prednisone since April and just recently exp...

I was on predinsone for 9 months in a row, during one course. I had the same thing happen, the round puffy moon face, the weight gain. All of these were par for the courseas far as side effects, but a few months later I found out that long term use of this drug causes Avascular Necrosis ( your bones begin to stop getting full amounts of blood supply, & they begin to break down) I have gone thru 2 hip replacements over the last 3 years. & I am in my early 30's.
Turns out this drug is supposed to be given 3 months at a time at most. Tapered off, then put on again after some time off. This is information directly from the drug maker.
Steroids have there place, & for many illnesses are the best course of treatment, I understand that. I just wish my case had been handeled diffrentnly,& was made aware of the risks of long term use.
I'm not trying to scare the hell out of you, loosing clumps of hair is frightning enough, but please talk to your treating Dr.about all of your side effects, the potential ones you may not know about, & together you can weigh the risk/ benifit.
I know my use was needed, but had I knowen I would end up with 2 steel hips before mid 30's I would have had followed the manfc. guidelines! You need to talk to your doc! He will have the best plan for your needs!
I hope I have helped some, because if anything from all I've been through & found out the hard way... If I can just help one person get informed, it'll be worth it.
Best of luck!

I have been on Prednisolone since March 2009 starting on 100mg and decreasing until two weeks ago when I came off it completly. Felt awful since and had hoped to feel like a new person. How long does it take to get back to the normal me. I noticed last week that my hair was thinning considerable and just hope this will stop soon. My hairdresser says she can see lots of new hair growth, but hope it grows quickly before anymore falls out. Strange how facial hair grows profusely but hair on your head falls out. THis is the most awful drug and although I am sure it works for some people the doctors have no idea of the side effects. I am going to print out these pages to show him.