Short course of steroids....

[Girliefriendlikesflowers]

12 yo dd has been prescribed a 3 day course of steroids for a throat infection, so as not to drip feed two years a go she was seriously unwell with flu and ended up in PICU so Dr's now tend to not take chances with her!

I think the fact that she is unwell is making me anxious but made the mistake of looking at the steroids info leaflet and now feel sick at all the side effects.

She has to take 6 tablets (5mg) once a day, she had the 2nd dose today.

Anyone else had a child who had steroids? Anything I should be aware of?

I had steriods on a twice yearly basis when I was in my early teens to my 20's due to asthma and as far as I'm aware there have been no short or long term affects

It seems like a lot of tablets taking 6 in one go, but the range can be anything from 5mg to 60mg per day, so your daughter probably due to age is in the middle with 30mg per day.

It's also a very short course so it should hopefully do it's job and be out of the system farily quickly before it's really had a chance to build up and show any of the possible side effects.

A lot of time the side effects are uncommon but they have to list everything just in case, if you read any medication even plain old parecetomol you'd see a fairly long list.

Hope it works quickly and she's back to feeling her normal self again soon

My son has been on short courses of steroids a few times due to asthma. I've never noticed any side effects. I thought mostly the side effects were from long term use.

A lot of time the side effects are uncommon but they have to list everything just in case, if you read any medication even plain old parecetomol you'd see a fairly long list.

Yes definitely agree with this! I try not to worry about the full lists of side effects anymore as it would put me off any medication at all. I question my doctor thoroughly about medication and just look out for anything odd, but scaring the shit out of myself by reading the insert has never done me any good.

That's a very short course. I was on longer courses throughout my childhood and adolescence. I would say the more common side effects to look out for are giant hunger and a bit of weepiness/bad temperedness. But as PPs have said, that's very unlikely to manifest in a very short course.

I think it's easy to hear the word 'steroids' and think Bad Things, but they're handy drugs.

Thank you for your replies, that is reassuring! I know I need to step away from the info leaflets 😅 the list of side effects are always terrifying! !

That’s an exceptionally short course. Most of the side effects for steroids are when you’re on them long term. I’ve been on and off them for long periods of time and it’s not the most fun as my face is huge but they work well. Hope your DD feels better soon. :)