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        New Message Board Archives >> 2007 General Board Posts >> How much Prednisone is too much?
        
(Message started by: DonnaHar on May 16^th, 2007, 3:13pm)

Title: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by DonnaHar on May 16^th, 2007, 3:13pm

My son, now age 36, has been successfully aborting his cycles twice a year with a Prednisone taper....ever since I first came here in 1999 and found out about using it.

He has shadows, but nothing above a Kip 2.

He went into cycle again about a month ago, went up to an 8 twice a day for three days, and used the taper....and bingo.....it aborted.

Is using this drug twice a year for a little over 7-1/2 years too much?

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by vietvet2tours on May 16^th, 2007, 4:01pm

Not if you like drastic mood swings

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by UN solved on May 16^th, 2007, 7:04pm

If it's a normal dosing schedule ... twice a year shouldn't be a problem. Just do it like the doc says !!

PF Wishes

UNsolved

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by thebbz on May 16^th, 2007, 8:10pm

I hate to say it because of all of the side effects, but it sure beats the demon. Check out some calcium supplements. Bake some cookies and have plenty of food around.
I would do almost anything to stay away from it ,however when nothing else works what do you do. I have started tapers with as much as 80 mg a day for four days then taper. Short answer....how much is too much?...1mg. Just kidding
all the best
jb
Prednipoison [smiley=hurl.gif]

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by chewy on May 16^th, 2007, 8:26pm

I was doing two sometimes three tapers a year for about 4 years straight. Aside from from gaining about 700 pounds. I haven't experianced any negative effects from it.

I've lost the added weight and now I'm buff. 8)

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by Stacy2010 on May 16^th, 2007, 11:43pm

I myself am on prednisone. I would also like to knowhow much is too much? Right now the drs got me on 60 mgs a day and no taper. Do I need one?

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by JeffB on May 16^th, 2007, 11:55pm

Hmmm. Not a big fan. I really don't think it made a BIG difference with me, but I was also taking Verap and Indocin at the begining of cycles, in the begining! The last time I was given Nortriptilyn???? I think it was? It was supposed to shorten the cycle and I do have a lot of capsules left.

I really believe "for me", that I will have my cycle and the aborts are what works for me. Through all of the years, I think I may have shortened some by a week or two, nothin major!

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by burnt-toast on May 17^th, 2007, 8:25am

I'm not very comfortable with it but for that last few years have agreed to Prednisone tapers to get things under control when necessary.

520mg tapered over two and sometimes three weeks, once or twice per year - supplimenting 1200mg Lithium Carbonate, 720mg Verapamil and 9mg Melatonin daily year round.

As some have already pointed out the most common issue appears to be compulsive overeating and weight gain. But there are other side effects to be alert to. Sufferers need to weigh the benefits against the potenital side effects - but this is no different than every med. prescribed for treating CH.

The following links should help you understand potential side effects, drug interactions and common use of the drug.

http://www.drugs.com
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

Best Wishes,

Tom

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by DonnaHar on May 17^th, 2007, 8:59am

I've just done a Yahoo search on Prednisone and found several articles when looking up "side effects of Prednisone.

The following site says what most of the others do:
http://arthritis.about.com/cs/steroids/a/corticosteroids.htm

Tom......I would certainly question your doc if he/she has you on 520 mg. per day. From what I've just read, the average dose is up to 60 mg. per day for between 5 to 14 days, and always tapered.

If I remember correctly, a high, prolonged (long, long time) dose is what got Dave E. in such bad trouble healthwise.

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by burnt-toast on May 17^th, 2007, 9:16am

Donna,

Thanks for the concern.

To clarify that's 520mg (in total) tapered over two and sometimes three week periods - once or twice per year.

You are correct long-term or preventative use of Prednisone is dangerous for treating CH. I highly recommed finding a new Neuro. if he/she prescribes long-term use and/or frequent tapers.

The once or twice per year tapers have been a blessing for me. Unfortunately the success rate is running just a little over 50% - sometimes Prednisione just doesn't work.

Tom

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by DonnaHar on May 17^th, 2007, 9:23am

Pheeeew! Scared me there for a minute.

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by UN solved on May 17^th, 2007, 2:52pm

520 mg a day and you'd blow up like a balloon and float away ... never to land again !! ( Even while clutching to a 100 lb bag of cookies ! ) ;)

Stacy2010, if you're on 60mg of Prednisone a day for more than 6 days, you'll need to taper !! Call your doctor and ask asap.

PF Wishes

UNsolved

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by Lizzie2 on May 17^th, 2007, 4:16pm

How much is too much? My doc used to say I could do a taper every 6 weeks. I got avascular necrosis - but we don't know if it's from the oral steroids or the IV steroids I received when in the hospital.

Too much was when it clotted off blood vessels to my knees and caused the bones to die.

Now - where "too much" actually occurred is definitely up for grabs!

For most, I'd say at the very least don't do it more often than 6 weeks apart. ;)

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by DonnaHar on May 17^th, 2007, 9:44pm

That's what I needed, Lizzie. Thank you very much.

When will you be in Fl. next?

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by Lizzie2 on May 18^th, 2007, 9:28pm

on 05/17/07 at 21:44:15, DonnaHar wrote:

That's what I needed, Lizzie. Thank you very much.

When will you be in Fl. next?

You're welcome, Donna.

I will be flying down June 8 and staying through the 17. Will you be around? Busy time this year as when I get there, I am going to have lunch with my aunt and go to my great aunt's grave since I wasn't able to go to the funeral a couple months ago. And then, my cousin's wife had a baby this week!! Her name is Grace Elizabeth (nice middle name!!), and she is 7lbs 11oz. This is the first great-grandchild in my family. I only have 2 cousins, and then it's me and my brother. Neither me nor my brother are married yet, but my 2 cousins (older than us) are both married, and Josh and his wife Joy are the first to have a baby! So I'm an "aunt" for the first time!!!

Lots to do when I get down this time, but if you're around, it would be great to try to meet up maybe for lunch or something!!

Hugz,
Carrie :)

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by DonnaHar on May 19^th, 2007, 1:51am

We simply must make it a point to have lunch together. I'll meet you anywhere between Sarasota and Englewood.

I'll send you an IM with my phone numbers.

Title: Re: How much Prednisone is too much?
Post by Ree on May 20^th, 2007, 5:48pm

my brother has sjogrens disease and has to go on prednisone at least 2 times per year also and so far so good with side effects...
Ree