Low dose of 5mg Predisone per day for how long?

[Jason]

I am taking 5mg of prednisone daily that does a good job of combatting chronic sinusitis. Controlling my sinuses reduces nasal drip and protects my lungs. Does anyone know how long I can continue taking 5mg a day without risking serious side effects? To stop, will I need to reduce the dose?

[Darcy]

Jason, I'd love to hear what you found out. I was just prescribed the same dosage for Lupus. Thanks and good luck.

Jason wrote:

I am taking 5mg of prednisone daily that does a good job of combatting chronic sinusitis. Controlling my sinuses reduces nasal drip and protects my lungs. Does anyone know how long I can continue taking 5mg a day without risking serious side effects? To stop, will I need to reduce the dose?

[pollyanna-comcas t]

I am on 5mg of prednisone to.I would like to know on the
left side of my face there is an annoying twitch that is real bothersome to me.Are there any short term solutions for this?

[Liza]

I was prescribed prednisone for a nasal polyp and congestion a while ago. I was worried about possible side effects, but quite frankly I have NEVER felt so good as I did when I was on the drug. I have since been diagnosed with ADHD which I feel I've had all my life but only realized that when the prednisone left me clear-headed, organized, motivated....the list goes on. However, one can't take prednisone longterm because of the danger of osteoporosis etc., and as the drug wore off, the muddled-headed, foggy brained me returned. So I'm wondering if any one else out there has had any such experience, or are there any MDs with any ideas?

Thanks! Liza

[Lynne _London KY]

I have COPD and have to take prednisone a lot. I am not sure if some of my problems may be cause by the side effect. Such as hair lost? Is this a problem for anyone else?

[Lynne _London KY]

Does anyone have hair lost from taken predisone?

[Kanada]

I've read in several places about prednisone that hair loss is sometimes a side effect. I think it's even on my pharmacy printout about prednisone as some experience that, I think thats with higher and/or longer term doses though. You'll have to research or ask your pharmacist for verification though ;)

[FROM MAYALAND]

HOLA, TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO TAKES PREDNISONE BEWARE OF THE TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECT OD OSTEOPOROSIS.PLEASE, TAKE PRECAUTIONS. AS YOUR DOCTOR HOW.
GRACIAS, MARIA EK

[sharon]

I have been on prednisone for about four weeks and I am haveing really bad mood swings, and bouts of depression, also I am having numbing of my face on the right side, has anyone gotton off of this drug with out any side affects.

[lee]

Lynne _London KY wrote:

I have COPD and have to take prednisone a lot. I am not sure if some of my problems may be cause by the side effect. Such as hair lost? Is this a problem for anyone else?

I had a kidney transplant,my hair will grow great for 2 monhts and will fall out in spots all over my head,and my teeth are no longer strong and healthy.

[Michele]

I am deciding it I should try prednisone of 5 mg or not for RA. I am scared because of the wight gain everyone talks about and the round face and fat stomach?

[dave hunt]

sharon wrote:

I have been on prednisone for about four weeks and I am haveing really bad mood swings, and bouts of depression, also I am having numbing of my face on the right side, has anyone gotton off of this drug with out any side affects.

I have been taking 10mg a day of predisone for only 4 days I am allso having really bad mood swings depresion unable to concentrate like drifting in and out of the fog tired but not able to sleep well increased apetite its making me crazy

[salesman]

Michele wrote:

I am deciding it I should try prednisone of 5 mg or not for RA. I am scared because of the wight gain everyone talks about and the round face and fat stomach?

I have RA for 12 years. It took them a year to diagnose me and during that year, I was on 40mg of prednisone and it was the WORST time of my life. I gained 60 pounds, had the moon face, was a raging a@#hole to my family and would go for 3 days and not sleep. I told the doc I'll NEVER take it again. Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with Chron's a year ago. I'm having an aweful flare up and have to take a special steroid that targets inflamation in the GI tract. It's supposed to be low dose but I'm gaining weight and getting REAL nasty with the family and I can't help it. 5mg is supposed to be a real low dose for RA. It does work but some can tolerate it better than others. The only way to know is to try it. Good luck! It isn't for me.

[Whitney]

Ive been on it b/c I was diagnosed w/ SLE lupus- i've been on it for 3 months now- i went from 60mg a day to 20mg a day now, i have noticed a lot of hair lose, and every now and then my right armm shoulder and chest go numb! So it might be the prednisone!

[Rae]

I have been on Presdnisone for about 2 months. I was told by a Specialist that I had an Alergic Reaction that caused an infection in my lungs. The first thing that I noticed was that I seemed wide awake. I was so wired that when I looked in the mirror, I looked like a scared cat! I had a hard time sleeping. I was given a pain pill "oxycodone" which helped me sleep but causes me to have dizzy spells especially when I lay down. It is like the room starts spinning. I seem to be very disoriented and I have a humming ringing sensation in my ears. I think that I am starting to hear things or going nuts. I have had mood swings where everything seems to get on my nerves. I have to fight very hard to control myself without getting angry. I forget things and seem disoriented. It is as though I am walking through a thick fog in slow motion. The worst is that I am gaining weight and my face is starting to look like a round MOON shaped. I have gained weight and ALWAYS seem to be hungry. I hate this stuff. At first I was on (3) 20mg a day. I started taking (2) a day after about 3 weeks when my CAT scan showed that my lungs were almost clear. Now, I have started taking only (1) per day and my next appointment in three weeks, I will ask if I can take 1/2 a day. I am slowly lowering my own dose because this Medication is making me crazy and I can't stand the weight gain any longer. I heard that you cannot just go off predisone and that you have to wing yourself off slowly. Does anyone know how long the water weight and MOON face will go away after you stop taking Prednisone? I am getting very frustrated with this stuff!

[Andrea Seitchik]

I have been on a 5mg maintenance dose of predisone for almost 4 years. I do know of some of the effects of long term usage. I have been bayyling with weight and hair loss.
I supppose it's the better nof 2 evils. I have a chronic kidney condition as well as chronic sciatica condtion.
In answer to many questions:
1. The moon face goes a way in about 1-2 weeks after you're down to 10mg
2.The craziness diappears atb 5mg
3. The weight gain I can't seem to control :[
4.Yes, yoi havr to come off slowly
My fears are arouns the long term use of this drug. I have read different opinions.

[Sheila]

This prednisone is not as bad as everyone is making it out to be. First off IT HELPS!! so stop your whining every one of you about the side effects. If you're fat, eat less, more nutritious foods (you know to do that anyway!!) and freaking exercise, 20-30 minutes a day of anything! Just start moving!!! The wt gain and moodiness will cease or go away for good. This is a good drug and we are on it for a reason. The only way it gets the best of us is if we let it by not doing for ourselves!! I personally feel great, like a kid again. More energy and motivated. Thanks Prednisone!!

[Dena in ohio]

I am on 20 mg for the past 2 weeks and have went from 20 to 10 and i was givin this for a innerear problem or virtigo my stomach is very bloated and
working out is not gonna help tioll all the dizzy stuff stops which is almost gone thank God !!!!
so dont just stop taking till you talk w/your doctor everyones situation ans sickness is different .

[Malhar]

I have been taking prednisone for nearly 4 months now. Except for some skin rashes and occasional racing of my heart, i haven't had major dramas. I was on 100 mg for the first week, then 75mg for the second and so on. Now i'm on 5mg for last 3 weeks. I haven't gained much weight (just couple of kilos, that you can expect from a person sitting at home doing nothing but eating).Today the doctor has asked me to stop it. So let's see how it goes.

[Marelle jacks]

i HATE THIS MEDICATION. I only taken this drug for 2 weeks but it is driving me wild! My nerves are shot I have extreme thirst and tingling around face bad moods, depression and my bladder is really feeling weird. Today I have not taken a predisone and do not plant to take anymore! It has helped my cough BUT I cannot go around with these
feelings. It is to scary!