prednisone side effects- how long do they last

[Amber]

In addition to my husbands arthritis we have a friend with arthritis in his eyes, he has already had a cornea transplant. He was given prednisone for a long period of time with high doses, he absolutely hated it and its side effects. He then started injectables one called remicaid which has done wonders for him and he has cateracts which he is going to get removed and he will be able to see again. I think the only reason doctors prescribe prednisone is to help the insurance companies costs, injectables are very expensive, but who cares this is your health and I think the benefits out weigh the costs.

[Robin]

Maria ~ I have asthma too. At times, I have had to go on Prednisone. I have gained weight and noticed mood changes. Is there any other alternative when our lungs need it?

Maria wrote:

After being on Prednisone off and on for about 2 years and gaining about 100 lbs. I weighed 135 before my struggle with Prednisone I was told by a Dr. not my primary care doctor Prednisone basicly shuts down the metabolism so to give your body a good 8 months to a year before you will see any noticable changes on the scale. This Doctor told me not to get discouraged, and sure enough almost 12 months to the day I figured I'd get on the dreaded scale and I lost 10 lbs. It is a nasty drug with some awful side effects but for me the alternative is death when my disease flares...as I have severe asthma. I just had to be put on it yesterday I'm not thrilled but at least I can breathe. I am however experiancing something different that I need to ask my doctor about...severe muscle pain like flu aches. I don't know what thats all about. I am on 40mg for 3 days, then 20 mg for 3 days. Good Luck To You All and don't get discouraged!

[Excel123]

concerned wrote:

it took me 8 weeks to completely rid my body of prednisone

What did you do to rid your body of prednisone ?

I took it for 6 days- 24mg-20mg-16mg-12mg-8mg-4mg ( A total of 84mg) and stopped. I am experiencing heart burn, increased heart rate and shakiness. How can i rid my body of this drug ?

[Mark]

Andrew-adrenalin does not shut down on prednisone(this is made from the inside of the adrenal gland) The adrenal gland stops making cortisol while on prednisone ( which is produced on the outer part of the gland). You are very right when it comes to doctors-many of them have no idea what they are dealing with. Yes this drug is EXTREMELY dangerous. I am a Pharmacist and have see many horror stories with this.I have experienced this myself as well, it was a complete nightmare. I will not ever take this drug again period ! I cringe even when I see the bottle of this poison.

[Gary]

Ron wrote:

Greetings,
I'm an RN who has worked in acute cardio pulmonary for many years... First, I'd like to say I'm very sorry for those who have had such severe side effects with Prednisone. I think we must always be aware that those who "usually" go on posts such as this are, unfortunate to have not reacted well or are suffering the extreme side effects. I've worked with many respatory patients who have used Prednisone and the benefits have been significant. Many who are on the medication for a short duration (12-14 days) might complain of insomnia and some agitation, but have NO other side effects. I sincerly hope you can work with your physcians to help find other choices for your conditions that will not effect you so signifcantly. I do think that forums such as this provide a very one sided view of what people experience (we're the ones on here looking this stuff up because of our negative experience)and the majority of others who have had little to no side effects do not respond. I just finished a 12 day course (40MG for 4 days, 30 MG for three days, and 20 MG for two days, 10 MG for three days) and I had almost no problems... A little bit of trouble sleeping and I felt thirsty. My Bronchitis is better. I realize a lot of you are on long term treatments at higher doses, so my tetamonial does not represent that group. But those looking to go on prednisone must know side effects are related to the dosage amount and length of time of the drug. Please do your own research and make your own decision. Prednisone has helped people in amazing ways...

I completely agree with Ron.I`m having a harinated disk L4-5 & L5-s1 and had a severe Lower back pain from last 3 months every morning i use to wake up with backpain which use to last for whole day .I had taken lot of painkiller My doc put me on Prednisone for 13 days (40mg 4days 30MG 3 day 20mg 2 days 10md 4days .the results are imazing .I`m totally pain free from last 2 weeks .My body feel so young like 20 yrs .i`m presently 38yrs .I couldn`t bend forward earlier.I can touch my feet now .Honestly i don`t want the pain to comeback.
I wish it stays like that i don`t know how may days the effect of the medicine will last which kinda worries me .My weight is also under controll.
I would says for me it has really worked .

[Billy]

I am a severe asthmatic and was first put on prednisone at age 1 and have been on and off of it for the past 26 years. I have only had the moon face, weight gain, and some muscle cramps. I can honestley say it has saved my life more then once. I would not call it a devil drug at all I know alot of people who take it without problems everybody is different. Any drug you take has side effects not only prednisone. Look in your medicine cabnet and start researching everything you have in there you would be surprised on what you find. All of my symptoms dissapered a week or so after coming off. I have been an athlete my whole life and have competed while on prednisone many times. If you don't like the sides go to your doctor and tell them to take you off you are the patirnt not them.

[penny]

I have just started taking prednisone for the second time. didnt take the med properly last time. this time have been prescribed for 10 days 40mg. have had palpitations and bloating. feel sick and moody, although sometimes quite elated. will these symptoms go when i stop?

[Laura]

Nan wrote:

<quoted text>
I had the same weight gain and I am trying to figure out how long it will be before the medicine is completely out of my body. I have been off Prednisone for about a week. I am still very puffy and swollen and my breathing is still not good.

I'm normally 110 and went up to 117.5 in 3.5 weeks on 10mg dose of prednisone 3x a day for one week, then 2x for a week then 1x. I am starting to hurt again (severe whiplash) and want to take advil but am scared b/c I've heard how bad prednisone is for kidneys and liver? I want to stop hurting.

[Regina]

I'm just wondering if anyone has experienced severe redness to face and neck and chest area? I've ony been on this memedication for a few days so I don't know anything about the redness.

[Jill]

I was on prednisone for 9 months and started at 40mg for Crohns Disease. Every two weeks I tapered by 5 mg. I went from 125 to 220 lbs. Taking steroids ruined my body from head to toe. I looked worse than my friend who had just had a baby.

Some side effects I experienced were:
+ huge amounts of energy (at first)
- flu symptoms while I tapered
- feeling sunburn due to excess water retention (sensitive skin)
- massive amount of weight gain (Cushings Disease)
+ hair loss (didn't have to shave my legs)
+ absence of menstruation (no PMS for one year)
- joint pain (especially in fingers and toes)
- acne
- continuously hungry
- felt irritable, aggressive and depressed
- stretch marks (can use cocoa butter)
+ increase in breast size (they leaked sometimes)

It is a horrible, horrible drug but I realize that this is the only option for many of us. It's been about two years since my last dose but I swear that my metabolism has not started up again. I still have a round face which is severely scarred and I still feel like a pumpkin. You would think the body would go back to baseline but I guess it doesn't. I haven't started a rigorous diet and exercise regimine because I'm not confident it will work. And, my fear is that I will lose all this weight and have to go back on if I come out of remission.

My advice is to try alternative treatments before taking prescription steroids. And, treat the side effects during therapy to avoid scarring and stretch marks.

[Star]

Andrew wrote:

<quoted text>
Hi! I had been taking Prednisone for 3 month starting with 7.5mg. But it does not matter - when you exceed 5mg your body stops producing own adrenalin and your adrenal glands just become "lazy". When you start reducing the dose, it's a BIG QUESTION how long it will take for their recovery!!! And you,of course, will feel all "amenities" of weaning process including extreme fatigue, mood changes (sometimes even psychisis), panic attacks, depression, high blood pressure, rapid hertbeat and other well known side effects.Some people, including me, may need up to ONE YEAR to get back to normal physically and mentally! Again: IT'S VERY VERY VERY DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE DRUG!!! Always ask for other options(opinions) before you get cought and use common sense not just doctor's opinion. It's your body not doctor's...

A few years ago I was knocking on deaths door! It took the Doc's 6 months to diagnose me. I had a autoimmune disease that attacked my liver. They had to put me on Prednisone to surpress my immune system or I would die!!!!! I was on them for over 2 yrs. Sure I gained the weight and stuff, and am now having muscle pain now that I am off of them, but I was still alive to see my son graduate and see my daughter get married this yr!!! Without the Prednisone I would have died!!!! I would rather live with the pain and other side effects then be dead!!!!!!!!!!

[ms rose]

i used a dehumidifier often to help my breathing. make sure that you are in a dust free environment. i was on pred for 6 months and off for 6 months but i breathe fine now. but prayer seemed to help me. i have had no issues other than a little foot pain that im able to bear

[ms rose]

is there an easy way to lose the kangaroo/pregnant/bubble belly?

[Darsh]

Prednisone is the greatest drug ever. I am on it for at least a few weeks every winter, usually at 75 or 50 mgs.. Hardly any side effects other then a lil hungry moody and peeing like a racehorse. I would reccomend it to any one personally!

[Karen]

Hi, I took prednisone 8 days 50mg, 5 days 25mg, 2 days 20mg, 2 days 12mg and had to get off very quickly.

I had many reactions to it like puffy face but the worst was twice I had to take the ambluance and got epinephrin shots for swollen toung and throat.

Two weeks since I have stoped the prednisone and my face still swells up, so does my throat and toung but so far not to the point of obstructing my airways. I am taking 3 dosages of 24 hour antihistamine to help prevent a major flare up. Yesterday, my face looked normal and I had no swelling but today, I am quite the puff ball... does anybody know how long this will go on for?

thanks for your comments

Karen

[Karen]

Hi Marisa, Yep, I had to take ambulance twice for blocked throat and swollen toung, they gave me epinephrin shot, ventilin and oxygen... I have been off for 2 weeks now and I still get very swollen but not to that extent because an allergist put me on a triple dosage of reactine to counter the effects of the swelling... any Idea how long this might last?

Marisa wrote:

Hi anyone out there know how long the withdrawal symptoms will take? I have been on prednisone for about 3 months. I started out at 25mg after negotiating with the doc he wanted to start me on 50mg. Anyhow, have been tapering down 5mg every two weeks. In the beginning I was fine However, once I got to 5mg and had to reduce to 2.5mg I started to feel very weak and had difficulty breathing. I was hard to take deep breaths or like me throat was closing. I find it strange though that these symptoms started after five days after I tapered to 2.5mg. How long will it take for this to go away it has already been a week I haven't been feeling well. I should have been off already but remained on 2.5 so I don't aggravate the situation.
ANYONE EXPERIENCE THIS?
Marisa

[alexandra]

I had a quack put me on 60mg of prednisone and told me to stay on for two months,for an allergic throat issue. well, three weeks in, my knees were crippled so I went to emerg room. I had a pulmonary embolism! Prior to this i was healthy , 43 years young, in the gym,etc. Now I have bone marrow damage to both knees, cannot walk and am in physical therapy three times a week. Also gave me steroid myopathy, where it wastes all your muscles. DO NOT TAKE AT A HIGH dose unless you are dying! this is a horrible drug and ten doctors have told me so since this happened. they are horrified at what this has done to my life. Also caused tremor in teeth and hands which has not dissipated in three months.. stay away unless at low, monitored doses!

[gracie]

hey, i'm 14 and im taking it right now.
ive been on it now for about 3 weeks and in the first week i gained 13 pounds. I felt terrible, i do 600 situps now when i get back from school, it has managed to keep my weight the same but i hate it.
its even worse considerin ive just started year 10! i hate my body, i feel depressed by this and i am in tears everytime i see my stomache. I got hit wuite badly at this because i used to be very thin (size 6) and now find it difficult to fit into a size 8! I know it doesnt seem a lot but i am very picky about whaat i eat so i don't gain weight, but wen i went on steroids i ate anythink at any time, i was constasntly hungry (due to the steroids( but please guys, if u r going on them..make sure wen u r hungry u eat something healthy! at least then u mighht still gain weight obviously but a ssoon as u get off them your weighht will go down dramatically! bBut make sure you know what your gettin yahself into before you take steroids, they are horrid!

[Diane]

I had been on 60mg of prednisone for over 6 months for asthma. Now that I have gained 30 lbs and have the term "moonface" I am off the prednisone but am afraid the doctor didn't taper me slow enough. After 6 months at such a high dose, I was taper off in just 2 weeks! Now I have extreme muscle pain,flu like symptoms, cry all the time, think suicidal at times...is this because of coming off prednisone?

[Diana]

I was put on Prednisone for a 15 day stretch, weaning down 3 days at a time. I am on day 10 and have been really shaky, feel lethargic all the time, can't focus on any one thing for long. I have not been putting on weight because at the same time I was told I may have diabetes and was put on a 1200-1600 Calorie diet. I actually am losing weight on Pred. but I attribute that to the diet. Did your "moon face" start right away or did it start toward the end of your round of Pred.? I have very little swelling in my face or abdomen. I hate the way I feel though.