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Original poster

Prednisone side effects

8 replies

JoAnne427 · 06/05/2002 20:58

Has anyone taken this, and know of the side effects? I started this treatment yesterday - had put it off, but unfortunately nsaids aren't doing the trick. Hopefully it will be only for a short while - two to three weeks - but I am concerned about what I have heard. Found some info online, but am hoping it only refers to long term usage!

I realize this doesn't have too much to do with mothering - but more and more I am turning to Mumsnet as a resource for many things!

OP posts:
SueDonim · 06/05/2002 21:46

My son has taken steroids and also a friend's daughter. My son only had short courses and didn't have any side effects. My friend's daughter took them longer term and did get side effects, such as facial swelling but they all went away once she stopped taking the tablets. From all the information I looked at, it really does only seem to be a problem if you take it long-term. HTH.

SofiaAmes · 06/05/2002 22:10

Many years ago I took it for bad chronic asthma. It worked miracles and I've never had the asthma as bad since. I think I took it for 6 months or so. I think the bad effects are from long term use and I think long term means years not weeks or months. Your pharmacist should be able to look it up in a book and show you all the research results. It's been around for a long time so I don't think there will be any surprises in the effects department.

JJ · 07/05/2002 00:05

My son has taken many 5 day short courses of it and has had no side effects. When he's on it, he does get whatever bug is going around at the time, so try and stay away from sickies. Not easy with kids, I know! Good luck and hope it helps.

lou33 · 07/05/2002 13:50

My daughter had to take it regularly from the age of about 2 until she was 5, and she had no side effects from it. I do know that long term use (i.e continual ) can cause skin to become very thin, but it would have to be longer than most people would be taking it. For my daughter it worked wonders whenever her other asthma treatments wouldn't, and she never had to take it for more than about a week at any one time.

Zoe · 08/05/2002 12:46

My dh has to take it if his asthma gets bad - we usually find that he gets dry patches on his skin on his face for a few days, and also gets very hungry and rather grumpy (at least, he SAYS that's the prednisolone ) Anyway it does seem to do the trick for sorting him out until the next time - which is why he has a homepath appointment tonight

Mooma · 09/05/2002 13:19

Took it for 6 weeks last year following TSS (jaundice left my skin itching uncontrollably). I found that my appetite became gargantuan - never mind 3 meals a day, more like 6!!

Original poster
JoAnne427 · 15/05/2002 21:10

Thanks everyone for your responses - I met with the doctor this week, and hopefully will only be on prednisone for a few months - they have started me on methotrexate, which, fingers crossed, will be effective - a little scary, as it is chemotherapy, but it is in a very small dosage and hopefully won't have side effects. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no drinking allowed! Not even one glass of wine, as it is very dangerous for the liver. Ah, well, I will just have to deal with it!

Thanks again for your input...

OP posts:
Mooma · 15/05/2002 21:36

Good luck with your treatment JoAnne427, love Mooma

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