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Side effects of Prednisone

Posted , 9 users are following.

phyllis10549
phyllis10549

I'm wondering if any peopke have had really bad side effects from preds over a period if time as in their blood work and the fuctions,of kidneys, liver mental issue, skin issues. Just,wondering ....my blood work is not good at all.

0 likes, 30 replies

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  • karenjaninaz
    karenjaninaz phyllis10549

    Posted

    I have been on 15 mg since December with one attemp to go down to 12.5 but I developed head niggles so went back up then tried going down by only 1/2 mgm. After 4 days felt head and temple stuff. Went back up to 15. Now ny blood pressure is 140/95. Never had such a high diastolic reading. Pred can do this to some people. On 15 I feel really good with only am slight issues. Now retrying going down by 1/2 mg.

    Doctor's appt. delayed because of a blizzard.

    • iellen32
      iellen32 karenjaninaz

      Posted

      Hi I just know my own experience and adding to that I see that the same illness and treatment show different results in different patients.

      Even before being diagnosed of GCA in 2013 and starting taking Pred I was taking medication for BP because it was unstable. I am sensitive so any emotion may raise it immediately than it comes to normal.

      I am taking the same BP medication - sometimes with intervals without taking it.

      I learned that the blood pressure raises with age - is part of the territory as my doc says.

      I did not notice any interaction however between Pred and blood pressure even during those intervals when I do not take it.

      I've learned that high blood pressure does not help, so if medication is important if needed, diet has an important role!

      We better go very slowly on carbs, caffeine, red meat, and so on....

      xxxxx

    • karenjaninaz
      karenjaninaz

      Posted

      Went to rheumatologist today and also Pulmonologist. I feel more winded on prednisone after a few weeks. I have pulmonary issues anyway but my tests showed more "lung restriction". I came off my steroid inhalers while on pred. My doc thinks I need to go back to my inhaler in order to reduce pred. The rheumat suggests I go down by 1/2 mg as tolerated instead of one mg. I discussed going down 1/4 a few days before I try 1/2.

      good news is I am no longer anemic and aside from pred crap quite functional- considering the alternative.

      oh, I found a case study regarding an elderly lady, with PMR, but no other pulmonary diseases, who got short of breath on pred. It improved every time she decreased.

    • EileenH
      EileenH karenjaninaz

      Posted

      I didn't think there was any reason for a patient on oral pred to stop topical steroids - asthma patients use both after all. 

      There is a study which was done in Denmark which showed that breathlessness  can often be due to pred and this should be considered before suspecting the cardiac problems which they resemble. Unfortunately I can't find it! 

    • karenjaninaz
      karenjaninaz EileenH

      Posted

      http://njmonline.nl/getpdf.php?id=1060

      Eileen, that is the link to the study. It helped to use the word " breathlessness" with prednisone in the search.

      Regarding my breathing case: my Pulmonologist thought I wouldn't need my inhalers while on pred. 

    • EileenH
      EileenH karenjaninaz

      Posted

      Thanks - I don't think I have seen that one before - I'm fairly sure there is another with more patients.

      Interesting that she has such severe effects even from small doses. It really does leave patients with breathlessness between a rock and a hard place though doesn't it? I can remember during the years of PMR with no pred I was out of breath by the time I'd got to the top of the stairs! I also had a breathing pattern where every couple of dozen breaths I'd take a much deeper breath - as if I was gasping for air. 

       

  • maid_mariane
    maid_mariane phyllis10549

    Posted

    Hi phyllis,

    I forgot to tell you that my skin feels thinner and I bruise and scar easier.

    Mariane

    • phyllis10549
      phyllis10549 maid_mariane

      Posted

      Mariane, mine too. I hit a sharp corner on my cabinet in bathroom didn't realize I tore back skin on my arm.
    • maid_mariane
      maid_mariane phyllis10549

      Posted

      I accidentally wacky my hand while walking or what ever and have a cut. My husband said I had a huge bruise on my bottom and the only thing I did was ride a ferry from St. Martin to Saba.

      Last night I was putting cream on my legs and 3 new bruises on my thigh from God knows what. I will take cuts and bruises over my brain fog any day. The one advantage of my thinner skin is that it is softer.

      Mariane

  • Anhaga
    Anhaga phyllis10549

    Posted

    I don't know if any of these symptoms are BAD as such.  I have elevated blood sugar level, increased ocular pressure, apparently increasing fatigue and physical weakness despite being very faithful about exercising.  Have also been diagnosed with osteopenia but do not know if this is really pred related, time will tell. I felt quite well for a long time, but as I try to get below 7 mg I am feeling worse in myself and not wanting to do anything.  But that could be winter weather related, too.
    • EileenH
      EileenH Anhaga

      Posted

      As I've said - the increasing fatigue and weakness is almost certainly your adrenal system not being up to snuff yet. They are typical symptoms. The winter weather probably won't help either but it probably isn't the only reason.
    • maid_mariane
      maid_mariane Anhaga

      Posted

      Hang in there, you guys are my inspiration. After my first reduction from 20 to 17.5 and the length of time it took I can only do 2 reduction per year so at that rate it will take me close to 4 years to get to 10 mg because I'm so intolerant. I did the first reduction over 7 weeks the next one will be much longer and I need months to level out I can't push.

      So hang in there and take it easy, I truly will be the tortoise but my personality is the hare.

    • Anhaga
      Anhaga maid_mariane

      Posted

      You'll be all right - you have such a positive outlook!
    • maid_mariane
      maid_mariane Anhaga

      Posted

      Thanks for the vote but it's websites and new online acquaintances like yourself that keep us all sain and going.
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