Prednisone
I have copd and just started a course of prednisone: 40 mg for 7 days, then 30 mg/7 days, 20 mg/7 days, 10 mg/7 days, 5 mg/7 days.
I have felt breathless, shaky. This was supposed to help me breathe easier, not make it harder. Seems like it's finally starting to wear off a little so I'm a little better right now, 5-1/2 hours after taking it. Is this going to be the case every day? Any chance it will ease up?
Hi again, Nikilet - thanks for sharing the tapering schedule using prednisone, which I presume has been prescribed by your physician. We appreciate you keeping us up-to-date on your progress as a continuing part of our conversation earlier, which can be accessed here (for reference): https://copd.net/topic/possible-build-up-in-throat/#post-19007. I remember we have spoken about other issues as well.
You may be aware we cannot provide medical advice or diagnostics over the internet (for your own safety), but this concern certainly warrants a reply.
Just as COPD affects all patients differently, so too, does medication. Prednisone has been associated with several different side effects, some of which, you've shared with the community that you are experiencing. If these latest symptoms (continued breathlessness combined with shakiness/tremors) persist - you may want to discuss this further with your prescribing physician. What do you think?
All the best,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)You've been very kind and generous with your replies to me Thanks, also, for this reply. However, I don't understand why others who have taken the drug can't share some of the things they experienced so one has a tool to measure your own responses. Isn't that the whole purpose of sharing the information between people in the same boat?
I want to thank HollyG for her response.
I've taken graduating doses of prednisone for COPD flares in the past. Most of the time I'd feel very agitated on it, and had a difficult time sleeping on top of it. That has varied, and my symptoms are not always severe, even with the same dose. I don't know what the difference is, but ask your doctor, or maybe pharmacist.
I noticed there are studies that may be finding that low-dose morphine is very helpful in lowering shortness of breath, without some of the side-effects they used to think were always the case. Of course that wouldn't take the inflammation out of the lungs like prednisone does.
I have an asthma component to the COPD, so we've found I can take a 5-day course of 20 mg of prednisone, and that it is successful in the SOB due to asthma. Try not to be discouraged, it's a wonderful drug.
Thank you once again, and God bless you for your help and your patience.
