PredniSONE and immune system

My Dad is 75 years old has been in and out of the hospital because of exasperations brought on by COPD. He is fine when he gets out of the hospital with 40mg of Prednisone then like many others tapers to 30mg, 20mg then 10mg until he isn't taking any. Then the exasperations start he's back in the hospital and the Prednisone cycle begins again. I have notice he has mood swings as he has become very irritable. He also use to work out with light weights ever morning, he no longer has the desire. He also use to go for walks, in the park treadmill etc. he no longer does those activities either. I also notice his eyes look different. I realize this drug is keeping him alive, but he has become a different person.

I had my left lung fill with fluid and collapse after radiation treatment for Breast Cancer. The lung was drained with Thorocentesis and I was hospitalized for a week and put on prednisone - 40 mg reduced to zero in 1 week. I experienced symptoms of heart attack as reaction to reduction from prednisone. When it was determined by enzyme testing in hospital that heart not damaged I was sent home with prescription of prednisone starting at 60 -10 days, to 40- 5 days, to 30 - 10 days, to 20-10 days. The cumulative effect of these doses was all the side effects mentioned by others, loss of emotional and physical balance, stability, swelling, moon face, insomnia, depression, crying, stomach pain, constipation, etc. I dropped myself to 20mg for 9 days but on the 8th day had recurrence of lung pain and feared possible fluid build up through tissues damage/leak caused by radiation - they are calling it pleurisy or pleural effusion. (It was also determined that I must be on constant oxygen and sleep on oxygen as my breathing capacity is below 88 off of oxygen.) Dr. found not enough fluid to drain without risk to damaging my diaphragm so upped the prednisone again to 30 for 14 days. Using pain and shortness of breath as a measure of lung condition I must not dampen pain now but suffer it to monitor my lung so as to avoid trips for constant X-rays. I continue to suffer from prednisone and it has disabled me so that my normal life cannot be resumed in any way. I want to get off of it, but after reading these reports, I am very worried - supposedly the steroid is allowing my radiated lung to heal, but if that is not happening I think the steroids are possibly more life threatening than the lung - in any case, what life? What other choices do I have to survive the damage done to me by radiation?

Predisone is the only other alternative for antibiotic therapy. Predisone has been known for years to have a lot of side effects. Always keep in mind you must be weined from the medicine never stop without consulting your doctor and if your doctor gives you a dose that does not require weining please also consult your pharmacist and the pharmacist really knows the drug compared to your doctor. Doctor's typically only know what the medication reps tell them whereas the pharmacist has extensive medication knowledge and will also know your current medication conflicts. Be sure that your doctor is aware of all medications including all herbal supplements and other the counter medications. With predisone you really have to out weigh the symptoms verses the side effects then determine are they really worth going through to eleviate your symptons. Keep in mind Predisone is a steroid a very potent anti-flammitory and reduces the inflammation so the infection can heal.

prednisone is wonderful. It helps you feel a little better when you are sick. I have taken 20mg many times and it helps recover from sinus infections and headcolds. You don't miss work when on prednisone as it helps you get back to feeling good quickly. It tends to make me thirsty and almost too energetic. I request prednisone when I get my yearly sinus infection. Helps a quick recovery.

Just finished a prednisone taper. I am developing 'oral thrush' - can someone please give me a suggestion for getting rid of it quickly without having to take more medication??? A mouthwash or something - please this is awful.

Thank you for your help.

Vanessa

I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in July. I had my colonoscopy/endoscopy the day before 4th of July. Got sick with what I thought was the flu on June 26th. That's when I first landed in the hospital (dehydrated & sick). After the diagnosis I was first put on Entocort and Pentasa (Pentasa is supposed to be a remission drug - keep you from having flare-ups). Entocort didn't work so they switched me to Prednisone. I've been on Prednisone for about 6 months now. Going from 20 mg to 40 mg and then I'm finally weaned down to 5 mg. I get to go completely off of it Jan. 13th. Scared of what other side effects might occur from coming off the drug. While on it I've had emotional problems, acne(never had a problem with it before), moon face, gained 30 pounds, joint pain (I was in therapy for as long as insurance covered. - I recommend water therapy, it helps for some people as it did me), trouble sleeping (haven't slept a full night since I got sick), certain days I'm really really thirsty, I've had sort of what I'd call restless leg (I had this before I was on this medicine but it has gotten significantly worse - mostly at night or when lying down), and dry skin.I have to say though that the WORST side effect is the FOG. It's horrible. I enjoy learning and using my brain and when I'm on this I can't think, I mix up words, and it feels like my brain is covered in cobwebs.I had to drop a calc 2 class and that got me off the track I'd set with my academics. My inflammation rate is down where it's supposed to be as of the last blood test a couple weeks ago. So I guess the Prednisone and Remicade are doing what they are supposed to - but I still don't feel as if the pain (not associated with Prednisone - caused by the disease) has gone completely away even if the inflammation has gone down. And Prednisone's effects are just horrible. Some nights I feel depressed and just want to cry and cry. The past months have been trying because of several hospital stays, switching to many different doctors (gastrointernologists, nephrologist, urologist (kidney stones), primary doctor - and they think maybe I should see a rheumatologist), and Pentasa (it began shutting my kidneys down). I just hope that when I come off the Prednisone the side effects will fade (hopefully quickly but lets be realistic - ill just be happy if they go away sometime in the next few months) and I won't flare up again. Anyone know the best way to get rid of the weight? I'm already drinking lots of water and I go walking and do exercises everyday.

QUESTION: When tapering Prednisone does anyone have a place(s) on their stomach that are sunken in and feels dry compared to the skin around it?

Anyways, I hope that everyone overcomes their difficulties, whatever they might be or concern. It's hard to have a life when you are constantly fighting your own body to stay healthy.There are plenty of situations in life that are already hard enough to deal with without medical issues of your own. Best of luck to all!

I was prescribed 42 pills (20 days) of 10 mg Prednisone which I am to take beginning with 4 pills for four days and steadily decreasing every four days down to four 1/2 pill the last four days. I took my first dose yesterday and was told to drink lots of water. I do not wish to gain weight nor have a moon face. My doctor does not feel this will affect me in that way, but may have water retention (swelling). I am 73, and this regiment of Prednisone was prescribed to decrease inflammation due to a possible siatic nerve problem, which is causing extreme pain in my left leg. The pain is excruciating when I get up in the morning but eases down by mid morning with some pain all day and some nights if I move just the wrong way.Does anyone have a suggestion for the best foods to eat and what to avoid? I read that grapefruit juice may be beneficial.

I'm a 37 year old female and have severe asthma and allergies and have used pregnisone on and off for 30 years. I believe I am the poster child for the long term side effects. My immune system is shot to the point that my normal medicines for asthma (ventolin, advair) and allergies (tylenol sinus, claritan, visine A) and ezcema (elidel, hydrocortisone, etc. - - NOTHING works!

In the past 6 months, I have developed various infections that the doctors have not been able to identify. My eyes are swollen and red with large amount of white/yellow secretions. Vaginal secretions. Face swollen. Skilled covered in a rash with ezcema out of control. Sharp pains in my back and stomach. Constant asthma. Abnormal hair growth. It is to the point that it is impossible to function and each doctor just wants to prescribe more pregnisone. I feel as if my body is a walking time bomb and it is so full of all the cortisone from over the years and has just decided no more.

I admit that I too readily believed in the doctors when they would rapidly prescribe the pregnisone. Only now am I paying attention to the long term side effects.

Has anyone had tests done to test their immune system and other organs for damage? Thanks and best to our pregnisone club.

Prednisone is a miracle drug that is saving my life. I realize that the side effects can happen and do. I've experienced them too: pockets of fat on my face even though I've lost 25 pounds; loss of hair; Thrush in the mouth and other yeast infections; hyperactivity; insomnia; blurry vision; the shakes; reduction in muscle tone; and secondary infections because of compromised immune system. I have pulmonary fibrosis and waiting for a lung transplant. There is no known cause, cure, or treatment of this terminal disease and most patients die in 1-5 years. Prednisone is the only drug that will at least slow the disease down until I receive that transplant call. I realize that most people on this post are not terminally ill and you can say, "no" to this drug; but just wanted you to know that for some of us it's a miracle drug.
Di

Prednisone is a catabolic steroid, not anabolic which increases muscle, so people should know that continued use over time will literally break down and destroy muscle tissue. Without muscle, a person has no way of even standing more than a few seconds and could suffer many falls.....these falls are worse on the prednisone patient because prednisone also effects bone density and multiple disc fractures can result, leaving the person wheelchair bound.

How do I know? That's what happened to my mom. Also, if you are in a nursing home and contact scabies, forget about ever getting rid of them prednisone supresses the immune system so it can't kill them off, even with all the meds and treatments out there for scabies. Again, my mom.

Hello -- I was diagnosed with Minimal Change Disease and have been on Prednisone for about 2 months at 80mg. The first couple of weeks I was full of energy and since I was bloated up to 212lbs because of my kidney disorder...I quickly came down to about 170lbs in about 3-4 weeks. But the fourth week the side effects really became noticeable. I went through extreme moods swings and the weight slowly started returning. So I decided to hit the gym to battle the nervousness, anxiousness, swelling and fatigue. To start it truly works to drink a lot of water. I still battle with the mood swings, but this is a great start and I work out about 4-5 times a week and make frequent visits to the steam room. You have to also me careful to not get exposed to germs, so bring handy wipes with you since the Prednisone weakens your immune system. Next week the doctor will take me down to about 40mg. I guess the mood swings are really still the hardest to deal with and for the people who love me the most.

I am 52 yr old female perimenopausal and I have some good things to say about my last experience with prednisone. This past allergy season I was put on 3 courses of the 5 day dose pak to decrease swelling of my bronchials. Now in past years when I have gone on prednisone I have not cared for how it has caused me sleep loss, irritability, and hunger. But something must be going on with me hormonally that caused this years experience which resulted in a sense of calm like I rarely have experienced, no loss of sleep, but the reverse - I slept better. Also reduction in hunger and an ability to and desire to control my calorie intake (I am nearly 100 lbs overweight). If it didn't have such long term side effects I wish I could stay on it for ever. What I found very interesting is last month when I was visiting my 61 year old sister who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and is currently on a 6 month treatment of prednisone is that she shared similar reaction to being on the drug as I did. I wish I could find the connection of what it was doing either to our immune system or pharmocalogically to our nervous systems that gave us such pleasant experience from using this drug this time.

I have been taking prednisone for over two weeks for a severe photo-allergic reaction caused by another medication. Today was my very last pill and I am thrilled to be off the medication. At first, I was really happy and relieved that the prednisone worked so well on my allergic reaction, but now I am more worried about the side effects of the prednisone. I have experienced severe sleep loss, edema and weight gain. I am hot all the time and sweat like there is no tomorrow. I am worried sick that the medication has further thrashed my immune system too.

I am a long time sufferer of brain chemistry disorder and have been on LEXAPRO for three years, which has been very effective for my condition. 11 March 2007 I placed on PREDNISONE beginning with 80mg 4xdaily and tapering every four days by 20mg for 4 day periods. This was given to help my immune system.
NEGATIVE: The PREDNISONE seemed to over ride the LEXAPRO, and I became very paranoid & suicidal. Experienced racing flash thoughts, was unable to sleep, extremely irritable and had major problems with thought processing. My condition mental condition became worse than it has ever been.
I WAS NOT WARNED this might happen and was not given any type of medication to offset this.
I strongly URGE ANYONE WHO IS ON ANY TYPE OF MOOD MANAGEMENT MEDICATION should talk with their doctor about this kind of side effect before taking PREDNISON.

I have been on Prednisone for 27 years for Addison Disease. If you take more prednisone than needed for you system you will get the moon face, weight gain and even the shakes. My immune system is very low due to the medications, my legs cramp and make is very hard to sleep. I have found that after taking prednisone for so long, it will start to deteriate your muscles, blood vessels, bones and teeth. At this point I have no choice but to take this medicaiton as it keeps me alive. By the way, if you are on Prednisone too long your Adrenial glands will stop producing the steriods that your body needs. This medication is very hash. Please advise if any one else has Addison's disease and are taking medication other than prednisone for the illness. I feel for anyone that has to be on this medication.

I was just diagnosed with Crohns 7 days ago. They started me on 125 mg of Prednisone for 2 days over IV and now 60 mg a day. So 20 mg 3 times daily. I'm severely tired but I think that is just from being in the hospital for 2 weeks and not being able to sleep and I am just now getting home. The main problem is after I started the steroid I have all this white stuff in my mouth. Like the plaque you get on your tongue but it is all over my tonsils, cheeks, back of my throat and my mouth feels really raw. I cant eat because everything burns. The GI siad to gargle with mouth wash but nothing is working. Is the thrush from the high dose of steroids? or because now I have no immune system so I have a yeast infection in my mouth??? Any help would be great. Has anyone notice rapid weight gain with in the first couple of days of being on th ehigh dose????

I was on Prednisone for about 4 weeks. 60mg/day first 2 weeks, followed by 40mg/day last 2 weeks. My dose was extremely high (only weighing 105lbs in the beginning) and i had extreme side effects! I gained 20lbs in the first week and a half, my face doubled in size, very depressed, and i got to the point i could only walk a couple of feet then the pain was just to intense! the last time i went to the doctor he didn't quite believe the extent of my side effects and - i quote "well your only on 10's just imagine if you had to take 40mg a day!" so i took my new scrip to the pharmacy and noticed that the new bottle said 20mg. i told the pharmacist that this is wrong i'm suppose to be taking 10mg twice a day.!? he then informs me i must be wrong - that i've always been on 20's (i started with 3 a day then worked down to 2 a day, now i was suppose to work down to one a day over the next 2 weeks!) i then call my dr and he tells me he made a mistake and we'll have to figure it out next week when i'm scheduled and to continue what i was taking!!! well if any of you have had the muscle pain from this drug its almost worse then having the problem you started with! (although i probably wouldn't have lived without it, it was driving me to a point that dying almost seemed better!) well i completely quit the day i found out i was taking double the dose my dr thought i was taking and it has been a month and a half since then. i still have constant muscle pain, stomach pain, and practically no immune system anymore! i don't know how long this will last....but i really hope it ends soon!!

I have been on pred for 6 days after takin solu medrol dose pack for 6 days for an allergic reaction. The med helped the rash and itch immediatly but as soon as i taper down the rash is back full force. I dont know what to do I cant take the steroids anymore, I am a rotten crabby person on these, i have heart palpitations and sever muscle spasms, it has to be from the steroids. If anyone knows how i can feel better please let me know. I also urinate constantly and only sleep in broke up cycles with wacky dreams..........

I was diagnosed with a kidney disease when I was 14, and was put on prednisone on and off for a few years. After being free and clear for four years, my kidney problem is back, and I am back on the prednisone, 60 mg a day for the past month. My doctor said I can wean myself off and go to about 40 mg a day for the next two weeks, but this is when I used to have relapses in my condition. I am looking for ward to getting off of the prednisone though, my face is so swolen, and I feel like I look like a bobble-head. My cheeks are so full, and I have the worst double-chin. At first, the prednisone gave me so much energy, which was fine with two kids at home, but now I am just irritable and tired. I am starting to gain weight in my stomach now too. This time of year is the worst too, because the prednisone reall effects my immune system. I have to worst cold, and I had to get a flu and pneumonia shot.

The worst part of the prednisone is the swollen face though. There is no way to hide your face. The weight gain in m stomach can be hidden with a bigger shirt, but I can't seem to hide the ound cheeks. I wish I knew how to apply my make-up to hide it, but I can't It's awful!

A younger less drug skeptical me took prednisone for poison oak (talk about the remedy worse than the disease!). I had a major allergic reaction (hives, difficulty breathing, etc) and was given a big shot of benadryl at the ER.

This may sound crazy, but this was four years ago, and I am not sure my body ever got over it. My immune system is no good, and I (a person who takes great care of myself-happy, love my life, organic foos, exercise, etc) was SO sick the winter after the prednisone.

I still catch everything that seems to come by, adn I think its related to that vile drug.

I researched and did learn that according to studies, pred can depress the immune system for up to a year. If that is what the studies say, i am willing to bet its a hell of a lot longer than that.....

I HATE PREDNISONE!!!!!!!!

my immune system is attacking my lungs so my doctor started me on 100 mg and i have progressively dcreased my dose but it has made me insane in the process not to mention fat as hell

My son is very sick, and have no diagnosis as of right now, just that his immune system is attacking his nerves, hes only 7. He is now been on 60mg of pred a day. Hes stomach is always sore he complains of cramping and I think he is constapated as well. He has gotten a little bit stronger but complains of aching in his wrists and ankles. Worries me because he is not eating because of the stomach pain. He will eat a yogurt when he takes the meds but thats about it. Does the stomach pains ever go away. I can't stand to see him in such pain, it is suppose to help but seems to have cause a hole bunch of other things including moods and anger towards me.

Colleen

I was rx pred. by my dr. 40 mgs for 5 days for my bronchitis.
I have never had bronchitis and/or any type of breathing problem.
This was in Dec.
Since then, my immune system has been shot and every other week , I catch a cold.
This is really frustrating, since I am for the most part, an extremely healthy and strong person.
Pred. really weakens your immunity.
when is this going to stop?