Is anyone on prednisone long term ?
I am aware of the risks of prednisone. I'm wondering is anyone on this drug long term ? If so have you had issues?
Hi. I am not on prednisone long-term myself. Although, I am aware of people who do take prednisone on a daily basis. My dad takes it for arthritis. And it seems to work well for him. He has not mentioned side effects. Because it is so helpful for arthritis, it has been well studied and shown to be safe at low doses (such as 5 mg). With COPD, though, it has been linked to a slightly increased risk for getting pneumonia -- which may trigger COPD flare-ups. So, for this reason, long-term steroids are generally not recommended for COPD. However, in some cases of severe COPD, it may still be prescribed long-term if the benefits outweigh the risks.Is this what your doctor has talked to you about? John. community moderator.
Thank you for a response . I have been on them off and on since April. However now he wants me off and I am taking my last 5mg dose tomorrow. When I am on them, I feel normal and can do everything I did before my diagnoses. I really don't know what my normal I now. I guess I will find out.(If removing them does not cause a flare up). Thank you for the update. And it's okay to go on them as needed (with your doctor's permission) when you are experiencing flare-up -- as they are one of the best treatments for ending flare-ups and making breathing easier (as you have noted). It's good that you are going to take your last 5 mg tomorrow. As then you will be off steroids and can give your body a break from them. Although, don't hesitate to let your doctor know if you think you need them again. I am also wondering if your doctor has tweaked your daily regimen to help stave off flare-ups. Sometimes doctors will have you trial different inhalers or up doses or something like that. Has your doctor recommended any such changes to help keep your lungs happy? John. community moderator.
I am not on it long term, but I took it a few times. The first time all I did was cough. The second time was in the hospital when I had pneumonia. My legs and feet swelled up horribly and I had trouble putting on my shoes. It took a while for them to go back to normal when I stopped taking it.
