Prednisone

[Concerned2222]

My wife was diagnosed with type 1, stage 3 autoimmune hepatitis. She is currently on the Prednisone medication, taking 40 mg a day. She would like to know any side effects that others have experienced taking this medication. Does anyone have any thoughts as to how long she might be on the Prednisone medication? Her ast level was 451, alt level was 471, as of April 16th. She just started the prednisone. She's been on it for 2 days. Any comments or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[cjp831920]

I was diagnosed with AIH four years ago and was prescribed prednisone and Imuran.  But everytime I was weaned off the meds, liver levels would spike and I would have to go back on them.  After three attempts to come off meds, my doctor has now prescribed a new medicine for me.  It is an anti-rejection drug called Budesonide and supposedly has no side effects.  I have been on this medicine for only four weeks and will have my blood work done next week.  Hope it works for me.

Prednisone made me gain weight, and I always had a agitated feeling when I took it.  I know there is no cure for AIH, but I feel so blessed that there is medication to treat it...even somethng that I didn't like to take.

[Denise333]

I been on prednisone for just one week, and it's bad!   I  had to stop taking these pill, because I couldn't focuse on my daily work, college, and home. After 4 long day taking theses 60mg(prednisoe)  I was very very tired, confuse,  my legs would be very weak.  I gain 10 lbs. Pain all over my body!  To tired to study for my college exam and mid-term. To weak to walk to my car, or go shopping.  Now, this is bad, very bad!  No way will I take this medicine again. Then after one day of withdrawal,  I decided to try to build my metabolism up by working on my garden, then I just fell on my knees.  To weak to get up.  No way will I take this medicine again.  I rather take some B-12,  iron pills, and some folic acids to build my immune back to normal.   And pray!  

I'm in my last year in the nursing program,  to weak to go to my clinical, and go to work.
Lord!  I just put my faith and pray each and every day. I just hope that my condition doesn't get any worser.

Denise333

[kickboxingmom]

If your Dr. didn't tell you, you can't just stop prednisone. You have to gradually taper down to none...Can cause serious, deadly problems.My husband has been on and off, usually on prednisone for 25 yrs.(crohns).Wishing Luck and Health."G"

[coleman9189]

i have been on prednisone for over two years non stop and off and on for long periods.  i have chronic hives. i have gained about 65 lbs in last five years, i have the moon face and the fragile skin, mood swings, no sleep, chest pain etc... it is NO fun.  i am going to see a rheumotologist to see about taking low dosage chemo pills as an alternative.   prednisone is a nightmare.

[catherine194]

Prednisone is mot to stopped abruptly if symptoms appear. The 2 big ones are the moon face and prednisone skin. Skin becomes very fragile and tears easily. Mood swings are also common with prednisone tx.

[PDM]

I was diagnosed with AIH back in July 2003.  It's not the best thing you can have, but it is certainly not the worst.  I also started on 40 mg of prednisone and was tapered down to 10 mg over 2 months.  When the predinsone was at 20 mg after one month, I was then started on imuran.  During the tapering period, the worst effects were nausea and muscles pains in the torso, but they eventually went away around November.

In the majority of cases, a low maintance dosage of these two drugs are needed indefintely.  About 1/3 of the cases are able to sustain remission with full drug withdrawl after 24 to 48 months.   I do not appear to be one of these cases, but I'm fine with it as I look at treating this with daily medication the same way I would if I had high blood pressure.  

Good luck and hang in there; it does get better.

[Better Angels]

Hi:

Sorry to hear the bad news, and everyone here can appreciate your concern. I don't know much about your wifes condition, but I have listed a link to a great website that should answer a lot of your questions. Research and understanding is key to getting by everyday. I hope this helps...
<a href="http://hepatitis-central.com/hcv/autoimmune/toc.html">Click here</a>

If the link doesn't work, you can copy it into your browser.

Good luck to you both,
Debbe