Prednisone anyone?

[diana j.]

Been laid up (over a week) with a wicked case of bronchitis (got a flu shot just for fun) and my asthma is back.....and my dr. wants to treat it with allbuterol and prednisone. My pulse-oyx level is that of a smoker (NO.....I don't) and while I've lost weight since being sick, I'm told long term use of steroids will cause an increase in weight. So do I really want to do this?????? I can do without air. Honest!!!!
Any opinions and/ or comments will be appreciated.

[luv2read]

A really bad case of bronchitis and asthma to boot -- wow, you must be miserable! As someone who gets bronchitis more often than I would like to, I think you should do what your doctor suggests -- you probably won't be on the prednisone for more than 5 days or so. Sometimes it takes that to clear it up.

[JDru]

Hey Diana, sorry to hear you're not doing well! I have asthma and often have to take prednisone when I get really sick. I have not had a problem with weight gain since I was on them so short term. But I have heard they can cause weight gain, increase appetite and bloating. It may just depend on the duration of treatment. It defintely works, so I think you should consider taking the prednisone. Feel better! :)

[gadgetlady]

I would take it (and I have). It really is important to breathe ;-)

[bmysuccess]

Take the meds, you probably won't be on them over 5 to 7 days. Don't run the risk of hurting your lungs.

[SpookyJulz]

Sista Di,
I was told by a friend who is an anesthesiologist not to take prednisone long term. She told me that if it was just long enough to get symptoms under control that was fine. The Drs want to put me on prednisone all the time for RA. I went on it short term before but I won't take it because it would be long term. Not only do you have the weight gain but it also deteriorates muscle and bone when used long term.
I hope you get better soon.

[NurseTeresa]

Diana....I am right there with you as we speak. Short term steroids will not hurt you. You may gain a little weight but you have something I dont....thats a band. This is the first time on prednisone I didnt eat like a cow. However, the cycle is a short one and the side effects wear off quickly. Breathing is so much more important then gaining a couple of pounds that will come back off after you are healthy. I agree with Julz...long term steroids are not a good thing but short term are ok. Hope you feel better soon! Just remember you are not alone...(taking a breathing treatment as we speak)

[Vickie1177]

Diana,
I have what is called Bels Palzy (sp) now for over 5 years. When I have a flair up I have to go on 20 days of Predisone. I was on it last month and I only gained 2 pounds. I stuck to my Protein shakes and increased my water intake.
Good Luck
Vickie

[mizfish]

:flowerysmile:Thinking of you. Take care.

[diana j.]

Thanks everyone........I finished my prednisone......decreasing dose for 6 days and had no ill effects. I talked to our pharmicist and she said some people gain because of increased appetite (didn't get that!) but it can also cause bloating which will cause the scales to move in the wrong direction....the only problem I had was that my BP went through the roof (I have to check it daily so I have my own cuff) and at 10 AM it was 182 (S) x 116 (D). I almost fainted. I just don't want to have to go on this med long term and if the asthma isn't under control when I go back on the 7th....that's what's going to happen and I think I'll have to fight that one. My dr. did say we might try a nebulizer (more of the same...yes?) but when I had the treatment in her office, it made my heart race so bad I got light headed. For now the rescue inhaler seems to suffice.
My dr. is very conservative when it comes to meds so I'm hoping she doesn't push this issue if I'm not agreeable to it.
In the mean time I've lost weight and was too sick to get excited, dance, jump up and down, scream........heck, anything! Could someone do one or all of those for me till I get my strength back???? I'd be very appreciative.
Thanks guys.

[Vickie1177]

I am doing the dance for you right now


Thanks everyone........I finished my prednisone......decreasing dose for 6 days and had no ill effects. I talked to our pharmicist and she said some people gain because of increased appetite (didn't get that!) but it can also cause bloating which will cause the scales to move in the wrong direction....the only problem I had was that my BP went through the roof (I have to check it daily so I have my own cuff) and at 10 AM it was 182 (S) x 116 (D). I almost fainted. I just don't want to have to go on this med long term and if the asthma isn't under control when I go back on the 7th....that's what's going to happen and I think I'll have to fight that one. My dr. did say we might try a nebulizer (more of the same...yes?) but when I had the treatment in her office, it made my heart race so bad I got light headed. For now the rescue inhaler seems to suffice.
My dr. is very conservative when it comes to meds so I'm hoping she doesn't push this issue if I'm not agreeable to it.
In the mean time I've lost weight and was too sick to get excited, dance, jump up and down, scream........heck, anything! Could someone do one or all of those for me till I get my strength back???? I'd be very appreciative.
Thanks guys.

[NurseTeresa]

Diana, there are several things that they can do for you besides just the long term steroids. Nebulizers are a great thing. There is one called xopenex and it doenst make your heart race like the albuterol does. Same sort of meds just not as nasty of side effects related to heart racing. The shot of steroids in conjunction with the nebulizers and the codiclear cough meds has mine tolerable at this point, Still alittle hard to breath but much better and the cough is under control. Ask for other mods of treatments first if you are so opposed to long term steroids. Steroids make me mean, so I try to not take them unless I absolutely have to. Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

[diana j.]

Thanks for the dance Vickie :cool_dancer: You're a DOLL!!!!!

Teresa.......I copied the info you passed my way, for my follow up next Friday and I'll see what the dr. says....sounds good to me....I really don't want the steroids long-term.......Strange thing is that even though I managed to get myself to this weight it was never because of poor diet or "bad" food...it was always quantity......I've always opted for the homeopathic or natural remedies when I could and even being on BP meds is making me crazy! Just don't like taking a script for anything which is why when I do get sick, I wind up worse than was necessary.....I wait till the last possible minute in hopes of dealing with it on my own resilience and stamina. Then I wind up on FOUR scripts!
By the way....I am not banded. I got here on my own. Now that the reality of actuallly being under 200 is looming, I really don't think about the band as much. Everything seems attainable.......at least at this moment.
Thanks for all your help.

Hey Vickie.........you still dancin'?????? :cool_dancer:

[NurseTeresa]

Diana glad I could help. I sent you a PM. Feel better soon!

[Dr.A]

Di,
I am glad you did take the prednisone...I usually do not like pharmaceuticals but sometimes they are life savers...and breathing is a must for life :) Albuterol nebulizers work well, especially if you get asthma symptoms frequently it might be a good idea to have a nebulizer at home. Alb. someitmes can cause increase in HR and BP, but part of it was also that you could not breathe! YOUR SATURATION I HOP now is above 92% w/o oxygen... are you wheezing? your inhaler might be enough, but do not discount the nebs. Also please use a spacer with your inhaler...it isures that the medication actually gets to your lungs and not sticking to your tongue and throat :eek:

In the meantime no dairy products...it does increase phlegm. Natural anti inflamatories like tumeric and ginger help...

[diana j.]

Thanks Dr. A..............Yes I am wheezing. The alb was getting it done early on and now seems to have lost it's punch. I was on asthmacort (?) when I was first diagnosed last year (another dr) and that did nothing. My PCP did check my oxygen saturation and said it was that of a smoker and I was too sick to inquire as to the number but she said 92 to 94% was normal and I'm back next Friday to have it checked again.
She got me to get a BP cuff and my reads have been high which I'm assuming is because of the meds. Yesterday at 10 AM it was 182 (S) x 116 (D) and I took it again to see if I could get a lower read. Stayed right around those numbers. Today was 168x91.
Honestly I assumed that with each day I continued on my healthy eating lifestyle and as I subsequently lost weight, all this would go away. I truly believe the high BP and respiratory problems were from just being obese. I'd hate to think that after all this work, I'll be stuck with these ailments the rest of my life. It's a bit disheartening, eh?
I appreciate your input, help and concern. Thank you so much.

[Dr.A]

Your welcome Di. Please take at least 2000 mg of vit C a day, especially now. Drink lots of water. No caffeine at all due to high BP. How often are you using Albuterol?? If you are using your inhaler more than 5 x per day you need to see the doc...you might need nebs and maybe azmacort again for a while. Also it seems you need to be able to gough up and thin the phlegm so ask for an expectorant. Drink warm herbal teas. What is your peak flow?? If it is too low...please take care of it!

Take care!

[Greeneyetiger]

Di,

You poor thing. I hate that you are feeling so bad. I hope you feel better soon. I hope you don't have to have these illnesses either for life. Losing the weight will make you healthier non the less though. You are doing good on weight loss. Keep it up. Get plenty of rest, drink a lot of water, take vit C. Keep us updated on how you are doing.

Hugs,

Tina

[diana j.]

Dr. A.........the 4 scripts she gave me were: 3-day Z-pac, 21 day decreasing dose prednisone (6 days), codeine (w/200 mg. guaifenesin) and the albuterol inhaler.
I use the unhaler 3 to 4 x daily with fair results and only use the codeine at bedtime for obvious reasons. I have to use 3 pillows at night or I get REALLY clogged. My coughing is productive so I don't feel the need to overdo the cough meds....I realize I have a few things going on here......just getting over the bronchitis has been difficult.....I still get so tired after just a few hours of any kind of exertion/work. I am drinking alot of water but was only taking 1000 mg. of C. I'll double that tomorrow.
AM's have become a problem since May........I started waking up clogged, coughing and sneezing for what seems like an hour or so, so I started Claritin. Minimal help. I don't know what it is about me but very few meds have the anticipated results. Even when I've had surgeries.......(I want to know 100% how, what, why) and I've been told on three different occasions that I was given more meds than was expected.........to keep me anesthetised. So needless to say, I'm skeptical of any promise of a particular result. Even my BP meds have been changed so often I've lost count and it looks as though it's going to happen again.
I think I'm just getting to be an old fart and nothing's doing what it should. I know I've abused my body over the years and now I get to pay the price.
I must sound defeated..........I'm not.....just tired.

Tina......thanks for the well wishes......I know each day will bring me closer to where I need to be. I'm still losing even though I don't have the strength to get back to walking yet. I hope to be back at it by my next two days off........next Tues. and Wed. I'm taking this recovery slowly.........which is not my way....but the choice has been made for me. I appreciate the good thoughts. Keep 'em coming!!!!