Hi, I am a 23 year old male, and moved to the United States from another country about 3 years ago. I have had asthma since very young. Anyway, when I was around 13 my doctor in my home country gave me prednisone (plus albuterol, and nothing else). I wasnt put on a regular dose, but was asked to take 5 mg of pred in times I got a serious attack (emergency care often takes upto 45 minutes to get to). From the time I was 13 until about 17 years of age, I needed the 5 mg pred maybe 2-3 times a year. Those 2-3 pills a year dramatically improved my life. AFter I turned 17, even though attacks didnt worsen in frequency or severity, my doctor permitted me to take a dose of upto 10 mg during attacks (again I didnt need to take the single dose more than 3-4 times a year). I was told that a plan like this should not cause any serious effects that are typically encountered with longer treatment plans of pred.
Anyway, after I moved to the States, my doctor told me that I shouldnt be taking any pred at all, and put me on Advair.
However, whenever I go back to my country, I get a refill on my pred, and continue to use around 10mg about 4 times a year.
Is my situation something I should be worried about?