I've had Ulcerative Colitis for 11 years (diagnosed when I was 13 years old). Recently I had my diagnosis change from moderate to severe. If I had to choose between "pooping my pants" and prednisone (both of which I have had), I would choose the former. Prednisone is hard on the entire body and controlling symptoms comes at a high cost. I firmly believe that there should be a time (and possibly dosage) legal limit to what doctors can prescribe especially considering a patient's age. It is meant to calm symptoms, but NOT CURE (which is how doctors seem to use it as). I refuse to take any other Prednisone other than a week "maintenance pack" and never more than a month at the absolute most. Treating the cause of the symptoms is more important than the symptoms them selves.
With prednisone I have severe anxiety attacks, insomnia, weight gain, moon face, and horrid mood swings. I took it for a year when I was a sophomore in high school. Talking to my friends later, they said I was suspicious of everything, became reclusive and agitated, and overall was difficult to be around because I became so extremely different from myself.
Not worth it. There are other options thanot long term/extremely high dose Prednisone.
It's awesome that you've done research to be able to help and understand your niece. However, the best thing you can do is listen, be supportive, and let her listen to her body and advocate for what makes her feel at her best.
You need to know before advising someone that Prednisone CAUSES a moon-shaped face and weight gain.
Unfortunately, there are no medicines that can negate this effect of prednisone; the only solution is to decrease the Prednisone dose or stop taking it. Many rheumatologists will therefore add a STEROID-SPARING AGENT (for example, methotrexate) to prednisone to help patients lower their Prednisone dose more quickly and safely without worsening the underlying inflammatory condition. Because these steroid-sparing agents work slowly, it often still takes several months before patients can lower their prednisone to a level at which they experience few side effects.
Elevate legs as much as possible. Avoid standing for prolonged periods.. COMPRESSION HOSE! Preferably 20-30mmHg, from when you wake up until you go to bed...
I have a disease called VKH syndrome; it detaches the retina sometimes causing irreversible blindness. Onset was 17 yrs ago with many flareups..this is the 2nd time I lost my vision..once again my retina reattached with 120 mg a day of prednisone. I have diabetes..degenerative-disc-disease. .and a boat load of problems from using this drug. But guess what I can see. I look like a giant hampster but I guess that's alright. It is a difficult drug to endure. I take xanax 2-3 times a day..nexium and so on.
Prednisone or steroids I'm general have severe side effects and can cause damage. I have been on and off of it for years due to Crohn's Disease. It increases my cardiac symptoms and wreaks havoc on my joints and muscles among other undesirable issues. Thankfully I have not had the swelling and pitting in the legs, but that is a problem and needs medical attention. I'd get another opinion. Hopefully it can be helped before it turns into permanent damage . I hope you can find relief and the help you're seeking.
please watch utube on your computer. Friuts and veggie diet. No salt
I also have severe UC and was on 60 mg 2X a day. Now tappered off to 30 a day. Moonface is one of my side effects. I agree, Moonface is better than pain experienced with Ulcerative Colitis.
I agree on researching a topic and knowing the answer but 2 things. #1. Allergies to cause swelling, I KNOW first hand and #2. There is NO REASON to be rude to some one OBVIOUSLY trying to help! It's so rare now days to get any ones help without paying, don't help create more of those who don't
Sad as it is I've been on prednisone for nine years. Started for RA that I've had for years misdiagnosed as Fibromyalgia. The RA attacked my lungs and I'm now on a double lung transplant list. My lungs are shut down and the prednisone is the only thing that keeps me breathing and alive. The moon face, shoulder swelling and bloated stomach are very discouraging, but I accept it and go on. Never been heavy in my life and I'm now thirty percent overweight. Wish there was something that would take the swelling away, but I've yet to find it. Just try hard to get off it if you can.
Wow I think your answer is correct but there is no need to have such attitude it's just not necessary.
Its a life saver for me. Everyone has differant reactions to differant things. Just because it has side effects diesnt mean theyre all bad. For example, My adrenal gland is slow. Im a very chill person because of it. Slow adrenal glands cause all kinds of problems though like edema in the legs, lethargy, Lack of will power... etc. Prednisone boosts your adrenal gland which would in a normal person cause anxiety, Rage, depression, hypersexualism... But for me it turned my pituitary gland on, and now my body is normalizing. Ive been a 34a cup bra my whole life and now Im finally at 40 yrs old growing breasts! The edema i have naturally has gone down and all the hair below my knees has fallen out while the hair in my head is finally growing. (it was slow before) All my nerve issues are resolving to like fidgeting and pulling at my lip. I even have less of an interest in cigarettes. The only down side Im having is the apple belly but I know what causes it. You crave carbs on pred. So I just limit the carb intake and try to get good bowel movements. prednisone numbs the hairs in your gut that moves the poo out, Gotta keep it loose. ;) Oh, and my acne went away.
Your response is true. I take 20 Mil. Now but when I break in half and do 10 mil my face and stomach starts to look normal but I start having mild flare ups of inflamation. I think I'm going to go to a plant based diet and just take 10 mil. To see how that works. I miss my nicely shaped face :(
I have bad asthma and I have to take prednisone, if I don't I end up in the hospital with it IV push and at larger doses , my Dr told me you have two choices take prednisone and breath , or not take it and die !! ❤️Chole
Herbal diuretics have got rid of fluid around ankles and feet but still have moon face