To ask how to minimise steroid side effects?

[drspouse]

Just been prescribed a course for a really long cough/chest infection. Two lots of antibiotics have helped a little but I have asthma and I can't walk on the flat without coughing and being short of breath.
I had them before and they helped but I hated them. I was very jittery and couldn't sleep. Any tips on how to minimise this?

You need to speak to your doctor and ask them.

Taking them first thing in the morning helps a bit with the sleep issues.

Take as early as you possibly can. Cut down on caffeine, including tea. That's about it really. It's normal to get the jitters with steroids, it wears off as you cut down. I decorated the sitting room last time I was on a high dose!

Is it one a day? If so, taking it in the morning should help a bit with your sleeping. I believe doctors tend to prescribe the lowest possible dose to minimise the risk of side effects.

One dose, before noon. How many mgs are you on?

It's 6 a day! Ulp! I'll try and take them early and cut down on coffee.

So 6x 5mg.

I’m on them at the moment for the same. Doc gave me a reducing dose so it hasn’t been too bad but found it really hard to sleep. I avoided too much caffeine and took them as early in the day as possible

Agree on taking them first thing. I’ve found the jitters reduced after I’d been on them for a while.

Prednisone is a miserable drug to be on. In addition to insomnia it made me hungry all the time and it was a struggle not to gain weight. Sometimes it's the only thing that works.

It's only 5 days but it says take 6 at once first thing!

The effect peak at 6 hrs so take them as early as possible get well soon

Right I will have them in the morning! I need coffee really... but will try and stick to one cup at least in the morning, maybe a cup of weak tea later if I'm really flagging.