I got prescribed Prednisone 50mg, side effects please?

Question posted by xkelsey on 28 Dec 2012

Last updated on 12 July 2023 by WildcatVet

I went to the hospital last night, and they prescribed me Prednisone 50mg. I have asthma, and anxiety. I was at the hospital in the first place because my primary care doctor sent me. My oxygen levels were dropping, and I have the flu. I was also wheezing bad even after she gave me two breathing treatments. Before I go into too much detail about my night, I just need to know side effects for short term (5 days). I also would like to know what I can eat to take with this because I'm very nauseated from having the flu (and I'm lactose intolerant). Thanks so much in advance!

Added 28 Dec 2012:

Oh, and once I got home last night, I felt like I had been shocked through my whole body. That's how my muscles felt. They were tense and almost felt like they wanted to have a charlie horse. It was everywhere though, in my toes, calves, thighs, arms, etc. Is this from having back to back treatments at my dr, and two big treatments at the hospital? The prednisone? Or a combo of both?

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5 Answers

WildcatVet 12 July 2023

Use this link to read all about prednisone:
https://www.drugs.com/prednisone.html
Remember that the side effects are POTENTIAL side effects. Just because something is listed it doesn't necessarily mean that you will have them.
Talk to your pharmacist who can recommend remedies that are compatible with your medication(s). Many are OTC!
Wildcat

Votes: +1

patrick Hart 12 July 2023

Can you take a lorazepam for anxiety

Inactive 2 Jan 2013

My mother suffers from severe case of RA & has been on prednisone for over 30 years. I do believe that prednisone is a type of steroid so yes you will have side effects. Weight gain is almost certain & if there are more it differs for each individual. Wish you the best of luck. Only other complaint she has is more facial hair growth but that may just come from being elderly lol

Votes: +1

endlessPred 2 Jan 2013

Weight gain is due to water retention and a special fat from the prednisone. Generally ten to fifteen pounds. Anything after that is because diet has not been adjusted for less activity. She should be monitored for diabetes as a medical diabetes comes from long use of prednisone. That can cause weight gain if not controlled. She ought to be certain that a thyroid test has been done recently. People with auto immune diseases have a higher incidence of thyroid dysfunction. Both of these latter conditions are serious but treatable.

Also, hair growth is not from prednisone. Testosterone does this. So does menopause. Yep, getting older increases facial hair.

Good luck to your mother. Karen

Inactive 31 Dec 2012

Prenison is a steroid. My mother takes for her RA. Weight gain is a definite. Occasionally mood swings but I'm sorry that's all I really kno for sure. But honestly a 5 day script I doubt will have any bad side effects. You will b fine

endlessPred 31 Dec 2012

Hello truffles. If you would like to learn more about prednisone, contact me. Karen

endlessPred 28 Dec 2012

Hello. Welcome. Lot of questions here. The prednisone reduces the inflammation in the lungs and elsewhere. Five days is brief and all the side effects you may hear about only happen at higher doses over long periods of time.

The flu, not stomach flu but influenza, is really rough. Fever, coughing, congestion, deep muscle aches, vomiting are all part of the disease. That is why they push so hard for people to get flu shots. It is a miserable condition.

All one feels like is to curl in a ball and sleep. No way to be comfortable. Lasts two weeks. But the lungs can develop pneumonia as a secondary infection. Because of your asthma, the prednisone will reduce that chance.

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Eating is difficult. You may have to stay on a clear liquid diet. Broth, water. Nothing with caffeine. Soda crackers, plain rice, toast without butter, help if eaten slowly. Most important is to be hydrated. Both for vomiting and fever sweats, congestion. Getting dehydrated is a real danger. Some people can handle Gatorade or flat ginger ale. Except for Tylenol for aches, stay away from OTC meds.

Should breathing become difficult get to the ER again. That will be your most vulnerable symptom. I really hope you improve swiftly. It does depend upon your age a bit. Hope someone can help you the first few days. It is very difficult to get things or even get out of bed at that time.

Add foods as your stomach gets better. Eggs, low fiber, nothing spicy. But you will know what attracts. Be well soon and write with more questions. Let me know how you are doing. Karen

Votes: +2

xkelsey 28 Dec 2012

Thank you. :) That really did help. I'm 19, by the way. After a few hours of being awake, I convinced myself to eat some veggie soup (which I LOVE anyway). I didn't eat too much, and ate very very slow. After a few bites, I took my meds, and ate a little more. I push myself to eat when I'm sick, usually. Because I know when I don't eat I will get so weak, and it will just add on to everything. I have a very high tolerance for vomiting, but when I really start to feel sick, I get nervous and don't know what to eat. I like crackers and all, but I wasn't sure that was enough to take with the prednisone since it says to take with food. I have been drinking gatorade, sprite, and coke. More gatorade than anything. I know it's better to drink water, but that makes me feel more nauseous. Thanks again for all the info. That really puts me to ease. I tend to seek out more info than what I get originally. I have an inhaler my DR proscribed as well as needed.

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So, that helps. I follow up with her Monday. We will see then. I feel a lot better than I was before I went to the hospital. The crazy part is, I went to a different hospital the day before yesterday and they did so many wrong things it's unreal. They said I didn't have the flu, and knew my oxygen was that low, even when they put me on oxygen, and didn't do anything at all. Sent me home diagnosed with a sinus infection. I'm happy I got a second opinion. I'm scared to trust most doctors these days.

endlessPred 28 Dec 2012

You are welcome. Glad I could help you. Be careful with the caffeine in the coke.

Soda crackers are fine, just stay away from items with lots of fat or oil. That is harder on the stomach. If you can handle veggie soup you will be better soon. I take lots of prednisone for a long time now. Sometimes I just have a couple graham crackers and half a glass of milk. They don't say a meal, just some food.

Trusting doctors is tough. Not all are great. However, you were quite smart to go again to be treated elsewhere. Always trust your feelings. If it isn't going right go ahead and question the doctor. Sometimes they miss something one says and when repeated they move forward. Hard thing to do when feeling so ill.

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Should you feel concerned about the oxygen, at Walgreens or big pharmacies they have an oxyometer for about fifty dollars so you can check your oxygen levels. If you are dropping below ninety sitting or walking, you need to see a doctor. Your best bet is to stay low key, watch sappy movies and hang in there.

Are you in college? They always seem to have the worse student health programs. I have no idea why. Around here we have major teaching hospital as part of the university but the student health staff rarely is good. Just curious.

Keep working upon getting better. The interesting thing about flu is that all of a sudden you feel very much better. Remember to take it slow. No parties for a while to set you back! This is a mom speaking whose daughter is not much older than you. Ha-ha. Just couldn't resist.

Take care and good health to you. Karen

AquariusAnneCA 28 Dec 2012

Endless Pred, I just have to comment what a wonderful Mom you must be! And so well knowledged in the medical field... you say just the right words to make one feel so much better. It is surly almost as good as the medication this young lady will be using... I enjoyed reading your answers! and I am not the young lady with the flu and the prednisone... just commenting how lucky she is to have you here on our support group!
A wonderful New Year holiday to you!
AquariusAnne

AquariusAnneCA 28 Dec 2012

Hi Endless... got some good answers here from Karen and I wish you to be well soon! You are very young and will fight this and be yourself in no time...
Have a wonderful New Year coming...
AquariusAnneCA

endlessPred 28 Dec 2012

Thanks AquariusAnn, I think our friend will be much better soon. She can leave worries behind because with information comes power. No need to worry when all is going fine. Being prepared is a key to happiness.

The flu is really a nasty disease. I hope anyone holding back on their flu shot gets it now. It can be deadly to babies, old people and people who have illnesses, especially lung disease of any sort. Asthma does a real mess to people. Be well, and be smart. :-). Karen

xkelsey 30 Dec 2012

I'm not in college, I work though, at Toys R Us. :) I'm feeling a tad bit better, and I actually get a burst of energy when I take the steroid, which is nice. I have a follow up with my regular doctor on Wednesday, I hope to be better before then. Thanks again. :D

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