file.newsgroup.med.58051 Maven / Gradle / Ivy
From: uabdpo.dpo.uab.edu!gila005 (Stephen Holland)
Subject: Re: Prednisone...what are the significant long term side effects?
> >I have been taking prednisone 5mg twice a day for a while to control
> >Ulcerative Colitis. It seems like if I reduce the dosage, the problem
> >becomes worse. At this point, i see myself taking prednisone for a long
> >long time, perhaps for ever. I was wondering about long term major side
> >effects, things like potential birth defects, arthritis etc. I have been
> >putting on weight, my face looks puffed and round, experience sudden mood
> >swings. As I understand, these are all short term.
I second what Spenser Aden said in reply. Additionally, it is hard to say
what type of response you ar3e having to prednisone since you did not say
how long you have been on it. Patients are generally kept on steroids for
months before thinking about tapering. Alternatives to daily dosing are
every other day dosing, in your case 20mg every other day would be a start.
Another option if it is not possible to get you off prednisone is to start
azathioprine. Like Spenser said, you should generally be on another drug
in addition to your prednisone, like asulfidine. A lot of the specifics
about options, though, depends on severity, location, and duration of
disease, as well as histology, so take advice off the net for what it
is worth.
I treat patients with UC and Crohn's. An educated patient is a good
patient, but let your doctor know where the advice came from so things
can be put in context. You should also be a member of the Crohn's and
Colitis Foundation of America. 1-800-932-2423 office / 1-800-343-3637
info hotline.
Best of Luck to you.
Steve Holland.
[email protected]