Counter Prendisone side affects

[Bwana]

Despite good health, apart from emphysema, the side affects of a daily dose of Prendisone are evident on my husband's ever-turning red skin, the thinning of the skin, and periodic puffed face.  Is there anything to minimise those symptoms?  Is there a good substitute for Prendisone?

[National Jewish]

To minimize or avoid the symptoms of oral steroid side effects the dose is decreased as soon as possible to the lowest dose that will still help the emphysema symptoms.  Sometimes adding other medicines, like an inhaled steroid, makes it possible to decrease the oral steroid dose and still help the emphysema symptoms.  Many side effects are possible from steroids.  As you have seen in your husband, side effects such as red skin, thinning of the skin, and periodic puffed face are possible.  There are other potential side effects from taking oral steroids every day that are not seen as easily as red skin or a puffed face.  These include diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, and bone thinning.  Please check with his doctor about steps to take to:
1) minimize the side effects;
2) prevent further side effects; and
3) watch for potential side effects.

Please read our Corticosteroid MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/corticosteroid.html for further information about the side effects and their prevention.  When oral steroids are needed to treat emphysema it is very important to be seeing a board certified pulmonologist for care on a regular basis.  This lung specialist will minimize the dose of oral steroids and watch for its potential side effects.

[Qaiphyx]

What is he using the Prednisone for? If its for asthma I would recommend Advair/singulair.