goldenwings

Hi Anne,

Just a little bit more information - from a patient point of view of course.

Corticosteroids - prednisone/prednisolone (UK) is produced in the adrenal gland naturally. The function of this gland is to produce horomones that then regulate salt and water metabolism - a bit technical but bear with me - and is the source of adrenaline which is the thing that gives us the 'fight or flight' action we need in time of danger, stress or anything like that.

This function is inhibited by large doses of steroids and turns off when they are taken. The gland does recover but it does need time and if you stop taking steroids abruptly, this will then lresult in no cortisone in the body. Most patients get very ill if they mistakenly stop their steroid therapy abruptly. When the dosage is reduced gradually, as it should be, then the adrenal gland gradually returns to full function. Once full function returns, the steroids can be completely discontinued.

Some people who have not been on prednisone for very long (usually less than one month) or who have tapered off with sufficient care that their adrenal gland is back to normal, can come off the drug completely.

I am giving you this information so that you can get a positive idea of what steroids do and how they work in your body. Again this is why I am querying the use of them unless you have a condition that specifically requires them.


Take care.

goldenwings

__________________
I am not a medical doctor, I only speak from my own experience of the illnesses I discuss here.