Asthma

[becswally]

How long after taking prednisolone should you start feeling better? On day 4, and have improved. Peak flow better, pain and breathlessness better but am still wiped. Just mopping the floor, or walking upstairs is leaving me wiped

I’m always much better by day 4. It’s never completely instant, ie I will spend a couple of days feeling like I’m not getting better, but on day 3/4 it kicks in. However where I’ve taken predinsolone for asthma triggered by a cold quite often I’ve completed the course and still not felt well, just not as wheezy / peak flow ok; I don’t think prednisolone does much for any underlying viruses.

The steroids won't do anything for the actual virus but should reduce internal inflammation while the body is fighting the virus, which unfortunately just has to run its course.

If you’ve had a really bad attack it can take a few days as your body will be absolutely exhausted. As others have said if you’ve got a virus or chest infection as well the steroids will give you a bit of a lift but you’ll still be fighting that as well until it goes.

Thanks all, have been put on a further three days worth so hopefully will be better soon. I'm 38 and this is the first time I've been so bad!