Good prednisone side effects? | Arthritis Information

I've been on low dose prednisone for years now and my recent bone scan shows that my bone density is better than most 30 years olds.  Not bad, considering i'm in my 60s.  I know I'm very lucky where this is concerned and don't recommend long-term usage for most people, but upon occasion, prednisone DOES help.

Good points,

I know that there are so many posters that talk about how bad pred is and i kinda gloss over it because i am still going to keep using it to regulate my pain. I know that one bad side effect is the bone loss and i have quit taking fosamax so should probably get new bone density test.

Does anyone know anyone that has been on pred for long term with bad effects? What are the bad effects? Below 20 mg? Below 10mg? I would be very interested in the known bad effects that have actually happened to someone, not stats. I know that long term use may lead to forever low dose to compensate for adrenal gland shutdown. Thanks.

Lev

Thank yous,

So IslandWoman and LinB, are you saying that you have no bad side effects from the pred? You are making me feel more comfortable. I am not saying that having to take 7.5mg adrenal gland make-up is good but not terrible, if i had to i could live with that. I think that organ transplant patients have to take it forever, don't quote me, i haven't researched it, just going by what i was told. I think that Jerry Lewis was doing high doses and he had gotton heavy and moon faced but i think that he was still glad to have the pred.

If anyone else has prednisone stories concerning long term or short term prednisone use and side effects, i am certainly interested.

Lev

Morning Lev, no, I had other side effects from Prd.  Ostopenia (documented by bone density comparison), weight gain, insomnia, mood swings, and my all time favorite - it never relieved me of all of the symptoms of the flare.  I only got 50% better.  I probably would have had a higher ratio but I didn't want to raise the dose on the Pred. And no, I'm not at all happy about having to take 7.5 mg. of Pred. for the rest of my life.  I don't want to live with that.  I can lose the weight, stop the osteopenia, insomnia and mood swings are gone but the adrenal problems are lingering.  Because I'm on Remicade, MXT, and several other drugs I'm not happy about the adrenal failure.  It's just one more thing to add to a growing list of medical issues that surrounds RA/PA/OA.  I prefer not to have to take Prednisone.  I watched my father fail and die over a long period of time and he was on Pred. for many years.  Much higher doses than I was and his death was contributed to long term Pred. use.  I'm also a nurse of 20 years who has seen what high dose, long term Pred. use can do.  I guess it's better than the alternative in most cases but I for one want to stay as far away from Pred. as I can.  My feelings are based on personal exposure and usage to the side effects of Pred.  

I've be on prednisone for approx 15 yrs. and counting.  I was diagnosed last Dec. with osteoporosis due to the pred and my ortho said that I had the bones of an 80 yr. old.  I was diagnosed because of a fracture just below my knee and after being in a cast and leg brace for 5 mos. I had knee revision surgery to fix the fracture.  Otherwise I'd been on crutches for the next six months waiting on the bone to heal. 

My last RD told me that I'd never be off the pred due to my adrenals but my RD now seems to think otherwise.  I've been on 10 mgs. or less for the last 5 yrs.  I'm now down to 5 mgs. and don't seem to be having any problems.  Bloodwork is fine and I'm not flaring.  Only thing is, I don't really know what to look for as I've never heard of anyone trying to wean off prednisone after 15 yrs. or even if it's possible.    

Thanks for the replys,

LinB, why were you at 30-35 mgs for such a long time. I too put up with the weight gain, fatigue, plump face, mood swings. I don't consider them real bad effects. The reason i ask is that i regulate my pain with the prednisone. I used to be so afraid of it but if i am in pain and want to do nothing but find a non-painful position in bed, i feel that the do nothing solution is more detrimental to my health than is 7.5-15mgs of prednisone. I use it to have not just function but, good function.

Bt, you say that you have the bones of an 80 year old, how old are you if you don't mind my asking.

Again, thank you all for the info.

Lev

Lev,

My sister has Lupus and has been on Pred for 25 years.  She has developed Avascular Necrosis from pred.  The way I understand it is that the bone has died in several areas, hips, knees and ankles.  She has had both hips replaced and one knee and some kind of arthroscopic surgery on her ankles.  The pain of the bone dying is supposed to be really terrible.  Maybe LinB would have more details since she is a nurse.  My understanding is that AVN is caused by long-term pred use. 

AVN is another one, I'm sure as the thread goes on they'll be other side effects brought to light.  AVN has many causes and steroid use is one of them.  I think that the blood flow is comprimised to the bone and the bone dies.  That's simplifying the cause.  Lindy

Lyndy,

How does the dr determine if one has adrenal failure? I have been on pred for a year now (20-15 mg and down to 5 or 10) and seem to need to be on 10 to function and usually get sick on 5 mg.  My rheum mentioned trying 7.5. I am wondering if I have adrenal failure already.

Laker