Pred side effects?

[bluebanana]

Hello
Does anyone have any good informaion on the side effects of prednisilone??
I've read the drug information sheet and saw that among the side effects is thrombosis..does this increase the risk of DVT when you fly?? Also is taking a calcium supplement a failsafe method of reducing the risk of osteoporosis???
How long is long term???
What is a high dose???
How likely are the side effects???
I've been on them 3 months now and have put on a stone in weight, and i'm eating less, and i'm noticing the puffy face side effect.
Not a happy bunny as although my asthma is better it is still not controlled.
any help, advice or sympathy!!! would be greatly appreciatd.
x x

[hotchic085]

Pred has some horrible side effects. A good place to learn about oral steroids and the side effects is National Jewish's medfacts. You can read them here. [url]http://asthma.nationaljewish.org/treatments/longterm/inhaled_oral.php[/url] Anything that is over 20 mgs is considered high dose, and I don't know that long term has a set number of weeks or months. Three months is long term, I would imagine. My doctros tend to get skiddish when I start to put on weight and show the pufed face because they worry about what is happening to my bones, even though I've been on calcium. And no, being on calcium isn't going to always skirt the osteoporosis side effect, though you have a lot better chances with the calcium than without it. Also vitamin D. Might as well take a multivit. I don't know about the DVT thing....

[hobbytools]

My partner, who was diagnosed at 13 with systemic lupus erythematosis, has been on prednisone for almost 32 years now. The amount she takes goes up and down depending upon whether she's having a "flare" or not. A bone-density test a year or so ago indicated that she has suffered a bit of bone loss and was put on Fosamax. She takes a couple of extra-strength Tums a day as well. We're pretty sure her body has been affected in other ways, but you do what you can, and it's helped her stay alive. Right now, she takes 5mg and 15mg on alternate days. There are fewer side effects that way than if she were to take 10mg a day. It would be even better if she could take all of a dose on one day and nothing on the alternate day, but that's not very effective right now for her.

Long-term can be very "long"-term indeed with some patients.

Sandy

[bluebanana]

Thanks for your help. I am taking calcium tablets which hopefully will help.
take care

[reader1]

A really great source of info is a book called "Coping with Prednisone." it was written by a woman who had to take high doses of prednisone for a long time AND her sister who is an MD.

In short, watch your carbs, sugar and salt intake carefully to fight weight gain, puffy face. The best prevention for osteoporosis is a two-fold approach: increase calcium intake and weight bearing exercise (walking, running, etc.) My doctor told me that the body does not store calcium and I need to consume 500mg three times a day.

There are other side effects, so it is best to be thoroughly informed.