Prednisone - How helpful is it for asthma?

17 Mar 2007

You really should listen to your doctor.Prednisone is a steroid and a well used one for lung problems.If you decide to go off it you need to taper down slowly like 1 mg every couple weeks.Whatever you do don't stop cold turkey.By the way 10mgs isn't a huge dose just in case you were worried about that.Good luck... Dave

5 Dec 2009

I do understand your concerns about ongoing use of prednisone, as the side effects can be difficult to deal with. My doctor will prescribe a course of this medication during times when my asthma gets out of control beyond the point my regular medications can handle, or after an ER visit or hospitalization for asthma, and I do not like the way that prednisone makes me feel, though I take it during those times because side effects are better than death.

I would encourage you to discuss with your doctor whether you have tried other medication combinations that might work in place of prednisone, and then perhaps you would only need it when those other medications are not working. Are you on a regular maintenance medication (such as an inhaled steroid)? I have found a combination of Advair, Singulair, Albuteral, and Zyrtec to be very helpful. Also, if you can eliminate triggers for your asthma, it may be able to be controlled without oral steroids.

14 Jan 2010

I have had asthma all my life and in 2003 I went into a coma for 14 days and then was paralized for 4 months. I am on prednisone constantly for asthma. I have been on very high doses (80 mg) at home and higher in the hospital. I will be on this medication until I die, I am 40. I have been taking since I was a child. If it works for you, you should learn about it (ie; weight gain, water gain,rapid heart beat)but don't be afraid of it. Prednisone has a bad rep., but if not for this medicaiton I would not be here.

30 Aug 2010

I have had asthma for about 20 years, and it hasn't been real bad until a few years ago. I have a nebulizer, inhalers and pills... but it was getting worse and worse. I finally went to a pulmonologist and he put me on prednisone. Within a few days I could breath again. He started me on 20mg and now I'm on 5mg. I don't know how long I will have to take it, but in the long run it's very worth it.

28 Dec 2010

Taking 10mg of prednisone daily for 2 years would likely shut down your bodies ability to produce cortisol on its own. Cortisol is produced and released normally from the adrenals. This production is part of the HPA axis which would need to recover by tapering very slowly. You would have to have good control using inhaled steroids and other asthma medications. The adrenal suppression is a separate issue from the asthma/ although when you don't have enough cortisol working for you it can be a factor in asthma. Prednisone is basically artificial cortisol. I have experience in this that might be helpful.

17 Apr 2011

Well I was on prednisone for over 2 years and at much hight doses and I am now off of the drug completley. There are ways to come off of the med with out doing harm to your self. You just need to find a doctor that is willing to work with you and have the same goal in mind that you do. this is what I did and I am now off the medication and I feel much better.

17 Apr 2011

I see that your question was posted 3 years ago. I hope you have discontinued the use of cortisone by now. I don't know your age
& it doesn't matter, you need off of this drug. now! you will have to taper off. The resulting side effects are not worth taking it. It maks your adrenal glands stop working which is going to effect you for the rest of your life.You can develop Osteopenia, or Osteoporosis. I have this & my bones break all the time. I now take Forteo which is a daily shot & my last chance to rebuild some bone. Please change doctors. There are other treaments for asthma. Good luck to you. If you are still on Prednisone, I would request a Dexa scan to check your bone density.

17 Jul 2011

it is very good for asthma, i take it when i have to, but for the rest of your life, im not sure thats a good idea, it can cause alot of problems, cataracts, weight gain, which ive experienced all to well. ask your doctor if there isnt anything else they can give you. did your dr tell you the side affects from prolong use of the drug? its a good drug, but im not taking it the rest of my life, iuse advair500/50 for my asthma, plus a nebulizer with dueoneb in it to help my asthma. if this helps leave me a message. hope it helps and good luck.