Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Prednisone use

Hi,
I, like many it seems has COPD.  I did but don’t smoke anymore, (10 years free).  My Doctor indicated that tests show a 30 percent lung capacity remaining.  To make a long story short the mucus (very thick) builds so quickly in my airway that I need Albuterol treatment 5 times per day and I take 25 mm of prednisone daily.  I’ve been on the prednisone for almost 10 months and my question is how long can I safely take this medication?
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
My mother has been on Prednisone for years now and is going through some really awful side effects.  Has anyone been on it longer than a year?  They say she has no other options but I refuse to believe there is no other option, even experimental drugs or treatments...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
just wanted to add that you need to wean your body off the prednisone...DO NOT stop taking it all at once it could have some very serious effects. Talk to your doctor about getting off the prednisone safely. I have copd myself and use spiriva and pulmicort. After about 2 weeks of using these 2 meds I have not had to use a nebulizer at all. Good Luck!
meme
Helpful - 0
144586 tn?1284666164
You should also know that prednisone alters the personality. In some people more than others. And in "not nice" ways. People on prednisone tend to "snap" at their spouses, become angry more easily, and more difficult to get along with. Yeah I know, some people will say it isn't so, but it is. Some people turn into monsters on prednisone. Not all patients and it depends upon the dose. But be aware of this phenomena.
Helpful - 0
144586 tn?1284666164
The problem with prednisone is suppression of the immune system that prevents malignancies. Thus, every additional day on prednisone increases your chance of a malignancy. Prednisone is a life-saving medication, but at ten months continuous use you are in the "unsafe" zone, and your chance of developing a malignancy is significant. There is a bright side. Stopping the prednisone enables your immune system to again begin scavanging malignancies. Theoretically. How effective this will be remains to be seen. One of the reasons steroidal inhalers have become popular is that they do not have the overall damaging effect on the immune system. On the other hand there are some patients that cannot survive without the prescription of prednisone. An asthmatic attack can kill you just as dead as a malignancy. Albuterol 5 times a day is  above the recommendations, however I know people who use it many times more, and it is extremely effective. You should also be using an expectorant, along with your nebulizer. Do take a "break" of at least 30 days from using any prednisone, if you can stand it. Preferably 90 days. Try an alternative steroidal inhaler instead of the prednisone pills.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Asthma Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Find out if your city is a top "allergy capital."
Find out which foods you should watch out for.
If you’re one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from hay fever, read on for what plants are to blame, where to find them and how to get relief.
Allergist Dr. Lily Pien answers Medhelp users' most pressing allergy-related questions
When you start sniffling and sneezing, you know spring has sprung. Check out these four natural remedies to nix spring allergies.