Re: prednisone side effects

[Guest guest]

Hi Kirstin,

Many years ago before diagnosis, I was on massive doses of pred (50-

60 mg) and had the " moon " face. I was heavily monitored. I weighed

all of 108 pounds.....That moon face lasted until I was off pred and

for quite a while after. We all differ with that. When you

eventually come off the pred, give it a while and it will

disappear...no one can predict or tell you it should be now...We are

all UNIQUE! To tell you how unique we are, the majority gain weight

when on pred, I lost weight...

Love, Barb

> Hello all,

> I have lupus and have been on 7.5 mg. prednisone for almost 2

years.

> I spoke to the doc. about what level the moon face goes away at. He

> said he thought under 10 mg. you really wouldn't have that effect.

> What are your thoughts? I still feel that I have it.

> Thanks

[Guest guest]

Hi Kirsten,

I know for me, it went down when I lowered but was stuck in my

tissues. This was so and the face got smaller with each drop but it

lasted for about 6 months to 1yr AFTER when I got off.( I ws on 17yrs

and high doses at times)

It goes down gradually and people ask if you are losing weight.

It is wild.

I am off a long while now but it takes a while.

Hope this helps

Love

Marge

> Hello all,

> I have lupus and have been on 7.5 mg. prednisone for almost 2

years.

> I spoke to the doc. about what level the moon face goes away at. He

> said he thought under 10 mg. you really wouldn't have that effect.

> What are your thoughts? I still feel that I have it.

> Thanks

[Guest guest]

My rhuematologist told me that Prednisone in 5 mg or less will not produce

the moon face and other severe side effects of prednisone. He wanted me to

get down to that dose, but I was able to get totally off by weaning off

slowly after a few months on minocin. But, my disease was caught early.

Started minocin within 7 months of onset of symptoms.

M.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kirstin! Geoff here.

> I have lupus and have been on 7.5 mg. prednisone for almost 2 years.

> I spoke to the doc. about what level the moon face goes away at. He

> said he thought under 10 mg. you really wouldn't have that effect.

> What are your thoughts? I still feel that I have it.

Moon face is rather a non-issue when it comes to the complications of

Prednisone in comparison with the other, frequent, and much more serious

issues. Of more realistic concern are: bone mass loss; organ damage;

cataracts; etc. Prednisone is an extremely dangerous, albeit sometimes

necessary, drug. If you are interested in getting off Prednisone, please

look here: www.healingyou.org/prednisone.html. For more information on

Prednisone in particular, please look here:

http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/pred_ad.htm.

In the end you are left with the realty that Prednisone is not something to

be looked at lightly; it should be taken in other than in as a duration as

possible. It should not be used for long-term treatment and should not be

used in large quantities. Unfortunately, the damage caused by Prednisone is

normally not " felt " by the patient; one does not feel the loss of bone mass,

etc. It is... insidious, and generally over-prescribed.

Geoff

soli Deo gloria

www.HealingYou.org - Your nonprofit source for remedies and aids in fighting

these diseases, information on weaning from drugs, and nutritional kits for

repairing damage; 100% volunteer staffed.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gang! Geoff here.

I wrote:

" ...it should be taken in other than in as a duration as possible. "

Well that's clear as mud! What I was trying to say was that Prednisone

should be taken in as short a course as possible as an aid; it should not be

used as a long-term " treatment. "

Geoff

soli Deo gloria

www.HealingYou.org - Your nonprofit source for remedies and aids in fighting

these diseases, information on weaning from drugs, and nutritional kits for

repairing damage; 100% volunteer staffed.

[Guest guest]

Hi ! Geoff here.

" My rhuematologist told me that Prednisone in 5 mg or less will not produce

the moon face and other severe side effects of prednisone. "

I have no confidence in your Physician's statement, but you did well in both

getting off the drug and starting the Minocin early.

When I was dx'd Dr. Brown was still practicing; he was someone I'd never

heard of, where I knew not, and I was told flat-out by my Doctor that this

man I knew nothing of was an outright quack, so I never looked further.

Time has vindicated Dr. Brown and convicted my man. In retrospect I think I

must have still been harboring a belief in the tooth fairy!

Unfortunately, my own ignorance and lack of access to research led me down

the garden path of two years on 80 mg of Prednisone daily with a 1-time bump

of 110 mg, and years of weaning. Others here have much longer experience, a

few longer at near that level and at least one longer at or above it; I am

but one of many.

That experience, coupled with improved access to information, has

subsequently led to much research and review where from I conclude your

physician is ignorant of the actual effects of Prednisone and systemic

compensation, preferring to minimize them in contrast to the alternative

mobility issues, rather than address them as they stand. This is not

unusual.

The popular though generically biologically ignorant press and media, and

influenced by same, people in general, try to address their bodies as a

collection of discreet systems. Even the most incompetent Physician is

forced to admit that humans are an integrated whole, not a group of gathered

separates; so they must view things " in context. " They do not generally

view things, for example Prednisone, isolated from other issues in the same

person; and they are forced to weigh based on their experience and training,

the advantages and disadvantages of each approach and draw conclusions

therefrom. Prednisone is not a happy drug, it is a thug. Unfortunately,

there are times for thugs as well as times for the genteel.

Geoff

soli Deo gloria

www.HealingYou.org - Your nonprofit source for remedies and aids in fighting

these diseases, information on weaning from drugs, and nutritional kits for

repairing damage; 100% volunteer staffed.

[Guest guest]

ROTFLOL....you gave me a terrific laugh today Geoff!!! Thanks so much!

Laughing makes me feel so good!

Jeanette

Geoff wrote:

>

> Hi Gang! Geoff here.

>

> I wrote:

> " ...it should be taken in other than in as a duration as possible. "

>

> Well that's clear as mud! What I was trying to say was that Prednisone

> should be taken in as short a course as possible as an aid; it should not be

> used as a long-term " treatment. "

>

> Geoff

> soli Deo gloria

>

> www.HealingYou.org - Your nonprofit source for remedies and aids in fighting

> these diseases, information on weaning from drugs, and nutritional kits for

> repairing damage; 100% volunteer staffed.

>

>

> To unsubscribe, email: rheumatic-unsubscribeegroups

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I've been reading about the various side effects of prednisone here. I've been on it for many years, at differing doses. Lately I've noticed that I am losing hair like crazy! In fact, I haven't lost this much hair since right after I gave birth and my ulcerative colitis flared like crazy. I was then put on about 60 mg with a slow taper over many months. I actually ended up in the hospital for about 17 days. By the end of my stay, I'd had so much steroids that I had the moon face. But there was a positive side effect that I have never heard anyone talk about. In many people prednisone causes some psychological changes: some people get psychotic - I got obsessive about cleaning. I swear that my drawers and cabinets have never been so well organized as they were during those months that I was on high doses prednisone! Sigh. These days sometimes I look around my house (we're going through a major renovation) and wish I had that obsessive cleaning side effect again! Just something to lighten up the discussion a bit....

[Guest guest]

HI!

I have to totally agree with you about the side effects of

prednisone. After I was diagnosed with JRA (about 17 years ago) I

was put on massive weekly steriod injections (long before the days of

DMARDs etc..)and I becamme an obsesive cleaning freak! Of course the

trait went away after the steriods did.

Just recently I had a pretty major flare up and had to go back on

oral prednisone (I have no insurance - so this all I could afford

through the emergi-care) and once again the obsessive clean freak re-

emerged! Ha Ha! I also gained 8 lbs (in one week) swelled up like a

ballon, stomach problems etc... Basically, if you can take something

else, do so. I watched my mother waste away after 18 years on

steriod theray (due to addison's disease - not RA). They do as much

damage as they help.

Anyway - its nice to know that someone else's compulisive behaviors

emerge under meds

Thanks!

Daisy

> I've been reading about the various side effects of prednisone

here. I've

> been on it for many years, at differing doses. Lately I've noticed

that I am

> losing hair like crazy! In fact, I haven't lost this much hair

since right after I

> gave birth and my ulcerative colitis flared like crazy. I was then

put on

> about 60 mg with a slow taper over many months. I actually ended up

in the

> hospital for about 17 days. By the end of my stay, I'd had so much

steroids that I

> had the moon face. But there was a positive side effect that I have

never heard

> anyone talk about. In many people prednisone causes some

psychological

> changes: some people get psychotic - I got obsessive about

cleaning. I swear that my

> drawers and cabinets have never been so well organized as they were

during

> those months that I was on high doses prednisone! Sigh. These days

sometimes I

> look around my house (we're going through a major renovation) and

wish I had

> that obsessive cleaning side effect again! Just something to

lighten up the

> discussion a bit....

[Guest guest]

My son , age 6, is the same way. He fevers about every two

weeks. He does take prednisone and in the past his fevers would be

gone within a couple of hours, but for about a week after he would

take 4 hour naps. Lately the prednisone hasn't been working that

great. The fever has been returning the day later. This time we had

to give another full dose, because his fever came back 24 hours at

103. We tried cimetidine and it didn't work.

Dena

[Guest guest]

Prednisone is a rough drug and it's a hard choice between the side affects

or the illness. I am 21 but used low dose steroids off and on all my life

to help with my attacks when they got really out of control. Recently I had

been having very painful attacks and Mayo clinic put me on 60 mg of

prednisone daily for a week. Now I am dealing with Adrenal Insufficiency

and have to fight the fatigue and other side affects of this illness due to

the steroids. When a person is put on steroids their adrenal glands stop

producing cortisol, because the steroids have taken over for them. When

people try to stop the steroids they may find that the adrenal glands don't

want to wake back up and produce the cortisol regularly again. This usually

doesn't happen unless the person is on high doses of steroids for a long

time. Usually! I was only on them for a week and I am struggling with this

issue. It definitely wasn't worth the one good week that they offered me.

I had great results from the steroids with my PFS but now the adrenal issues

could take months to sort out and fix. I don't mean to scare you or tell

you not to have your son use prednisone, because it can be a life saver with

this illness, but just do your research first and make sure you don't have

any other options. Also, be aware of the side affects and make sure you are

comfortable with it all first. All in all, you're doing the right thing,

just keep asking questions and research. Good luck!

Kelli Woods

Traverse City, MI

>From: " mtardella0321 " <mtardella0321@...>

>Reply-

>

>Subject: prednisone side effects

>Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:11:33 -0000

>

>Hi Everyone,

>Does anyone have any concerns or knowledge of the side effects or

>possible long term effects of prednisone on kids. From what I am

>reading here and hearing from doctors, it may be the only option- but

>I am concerned about giving mhy 5 year old son a steroid med. I would

>appreciate any thoughts.

>Also, on the less clinical side - I have a tough time with my son

>right after an episode - may be because he is so used to me be at at

>his beck and call with the illness - and when it is over, I want him

>to go back to being a normal kid - be he still wants to get special

>treatment. help!!!

>Jenn

>mom to Nick 5 1/2 (fevers, etc for 3 years) and

>Matty 3 (why is my brother getting all the attention?)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jen,

's ID doctor told us because we are giving him

low doses of prednisone... the benifits out weighed

the possible side effects. He also said he would not

give him more than 12 doses a year. So if he were

having more than 12 episodes a year, we would need to

do something else, but for now, it seems to be a God

send

Also, wanted to let you know that my son takes a very

long time to feel back to normal after an episode

without prednisone. He is very tired for about 10

days after the fevers stop. If he was younger I'm

sure he would be wanting me to hold him etc. Cheri,

Galt CA

--- mtardella0321 <mtardella0321@...> wrote:

> Hi Everyone,

> Does anyone have any concerns or knowledge of the

> side effects or

> possible long term effects of prednisone on kids.

> From what I am

> reading here and hearing from doctors, it may be the

> only option- but

> I am concerned about giving mhy 5 year old son a

> steroid med. I would

> appreciate any thoughts.

> Also, on the less clinical side - I have a tough

> time with my son

> right after an episode - may be because he is so

> used to me be at at

> his beck and call with the illness - and when it is

> over, I want him

> to go back to being a normal kid - be he still wants

> to get special

> treatment. help!!!

> Jenn

> mom to Nick 5 1/2 (fevers, etc for 3 years) and

> Matty 3 (why is my brother getting all the

> attention?)

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I've been reading these discussions on Predisone, Tagamet, etc. Dr.

Kastner and I had a discussion a couple of visits ago about treating

the episodes. He spoke about a line, a cutoff, between what you can

live with and what you cannot. As long as the episodes are

manageable for you and your child, without too much interference

into normal life, then we could leave things alone. But if the

disease got to a point where the child was suffering too much, and

was missing out on too much, then you had to make the decision to

treat.

You can look at these kids and their episodes with more than a

couple of perspectives. On the one hand, they do have these diseases

so can you reasonably expect to treat them and return them to 100 %?

Probably not. They have to live with some discomfort and

inconvenience to the entire family.

Can you give them a drug to make it all bearable? Probably. Will

it affect them in the long run? Maybe.

Dr. Kastner used to not be so concerned with completely eliminating

PJ's episodes but now that he is almost maxxed out on the colchicine

dose that he can take, even though his episodes are extremely mild,

Dr. K seems determined to erase them completely. This can only be

done by adding drugs that I've researched that frankly, scare the

heck out of me!

A pharmacist I work with helped put this in perspective for me! She

understands the clinical picture alot better than I do...she

says, " Patty, with every episode that PJ has, however mild it seems

to you, damage is being done on the inside. Things are happening to

his organs that you cannot see. " I think that she is right. I have

to allow him to be treated. However much I might not care for the

drugs.

We parents are caught beyween a rock and a hard place. You have to

make choices based on your own research, your childs needs and

mainly based on your own gut. Hi Everyone,

> Does anyone have any concerns or knowledge of the side effects or

> possible long term effects of prednisone on kids. From what I am

> reading here and hearing from doctors, it may be the only option-

but

> I am concerned about giving mhy 5 year old son a steroid med. I

would

> appreciate any thoughts.

> Also, on the less clinical side - I have a tough time with my son

> right after an episode - may be because he is so used to me be at

at

> his beck and call with the illness - and when it is over, I want

him

> to go back to being a normal kid - be he still wants to get

special

> treatment. help!!!

> Jenn

> mom to Nick 5 1/2 (fevers, etc for 3 years) and

> Matty 3 (why is my brother getting all the attention?)

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

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