Prednisone regime

I started a short course of Prednisone today due to pain and inflammation. I take it six times a day for several days, then four times a day, then three, etc. I have to laugh that they give complicated instructions to someone who needs a post it note to remember everything! Anyway, can someone tell me how long it takes to notice a difference? (Good or bad). I realize everyone is different, just don’t know what to expect. Thanks all.

When I take Prednisone like that I usually fill better in a day or two. I also do not sleep very well while taking it my pharmacy told me to take it as early as possible of a morning. Hope you have relief soon.

For me, Prednisone works within a day as well. I'm right with you, Jersey Girl (by the way, I'm a Bronx Girl) since I'm starting another round of steroids today. Hope to feeling better real soon for the both of us!

Since I take it 6x/day, my last dose is 10pm, but it did not keep me awake last night, so that's a blessing! I actually felt the worst I've ever felt yesterday and the best I ever felt today! I don't know if it's working that fast or a coincidence but I'll take it! Thanks for your comment.

purplebutterfly said:

When I take Prednisone like that I usually fill better in a day or two. I also do not sleep very well while taking it my pharmacy told me to take it as early as possible of a morning. Hope you have relief soon.


Hey BronxGirl! :) I hope you start feeling better too! Thanks for your comment "neighbor"!


nates tired mom said:

For me, Prednisone works within a day as well. I'm right with you, Jersey Girl (by the way, I'm a Bronx Girl) since I'm starting another round of steroids today. Hope to feeling better real soon for the both of us!

Yes, taper taper. I spent 5 months tapering down from 20 mg to 15 mg (nice and slow) and started having symptoms, so it's back up to 20 mg. I fear I'll never get off this drug.

Ann A. said:

I like the paks that are labelled - day 1, day 2, etc.

And I know that I do not have to be perfect as long as I taper off rather than stop abruptly, which I am tempted to do because though I generally start feeling relief by day three by day 5, I am hating the stuff and want to be done with it. Taper taper taper

I've always found that Prednisone worked quickly last time I took then. This time its not really working well as before ( 15mg 3x in the AM) I really hate taking steroids, the symptoms scare me. Thanks all for the information.

Dear Cajun,

I'm on my 3rd day of predisone pack. We all sound so similar. So far my skin lesions are not better. I'm hoping they will be soon. I'm cajun, too. Maybe kin or neighbors, who knows? Love Lucinda



Cajun said:

I've always found that Prednisone worked quickly last time I took then. This time its not really working well as before ( 15mg 3x in the AM) I really hate taking steroids, the symptoms scare me. Thanks all for the information.

Hi Jersey girl, Hope you are feeling better soon,

I myself find that Prednisone is a wonder drug. However when given a dosage in a shot form i'm feeling like a new person in couple of hours. However a regimen in pill form can take a few days because it did for me. Remember everyone is different. Just know that when it starts working it really works. Doctors give it because it's what i believe to be the quickest working drug that gives immediate relief for lupus activity. Just expect to feel better soon most likely within days i would say the most a week. This is why they start with such a high dosage or the intake over a few times a day then begin to slowly taper you down. So you should be feeling better soon if not consult your doctor. Keep me up to date of your progress. I love all my eye candie lupies..

Once again feel better dear i will keep you in prayer... feel free to visit for empowerment and inspiration. http://coachkishanicole.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/personal-development-an-lupus/

Hi,

We need to be careful on this drug and have to do the balancing on the dosage. The attached file gives more info on this drug.

regards,

Karthik
367-Prednisolone050910_000.pdf (114 KB)

PREDNISONE WORKS GOOD FOR ME IN A DAY OR 2 BUT I WANT TO GET OFF IT BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT GAIN AND I WISH I NEVER GOT ON IT BECAUSE ITS GOING TO LEAD TO OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS

Good Morning
Prednisone? Humm, in my relationship with SLE, Diagnised in 2000, Dr put me on 100 mgs of Prednisone, Gained 40 lbs, VERY LITTLE or NO SPEEP.
Wanted to run a marathon. At one time I was on 160 mgs of Prednisone by inj LBS & Not more than 3 hrs of sleep, I am on 80 mgs at this time. Remission once.
I hate Prednisone, its taken a toll on my body and organs.
I basically have been on Prednisone/Methotexate for 10 years.
Hope you get to feeling better

Thanks everyone. I read the side effects and it really is scary. I’m hoping short term doesn’t do more harm than good. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Prednisone has saved my life 3 times, but it is definitely not something I ever want to stay on.

Here's a song about it...

and yeah, the shot works within 24 hours, pills take 2-3 days in the 6-day pack.

Every doctor is different in dispensing prednisone. I have been told by 3 doctors that having a maintenance dose of 5 mg every day is okay to keep me going. The new quack says that it doesn't help pain at all, gives me false energy, and destroys my body. I am not over energetic on that amount but at least I can do something. On the other hand, I have a sister the when she takes 2.5 mg she becomes very active and OCD. Her mood changes a LOT! She gets angry and defensive and snarly. My point: there is no one answer. Let your body be your guide and have someone who can tell you honestly and lovingly if you are reacting or acting differently then your normal.

Hugs, Reet

ha! that's so true. those first few days are so manic! then... the let down as you taper off...

Ann A. said:

@ Carla,

Loved the song. My daughter, who is now forty, says that she used to pray that the doc would give me at least a 21 day pack. On about day four, I would start taking everything out of the closets and drawers in every room in the house. On a seven day dosepak, I never had enough energy to put it all back. She has some funny routines about "this is my mother on drugs" where the drugs are prednisone. She has introduced her four year old to the concept. When Grandma starts rearranging the furniture and painting, look for the Prednisone.

Sometimes you must be able to laugh.



Carla Ulbrich said:

and yeah, the shot works within 24 hours, pills take 2-3 days in the 6-day pack.

the doctors are all different and the patients are all different. Some people cant take prednisone (or other certain drugs) at all. My list of drugs I'm allergic to keeps growing. Thankfully (and not), prednisone still works when I need it. But yeah there's definitely no "one size fits all" drug.

reet said:

Every doctor is different in dispensing prednisone. I have been told by 3 doctors that having a maintenance dose of 5 mg every day is okay to keep me going. The new quack says that it doesn't help pain at all, gives me false energy, and destroys my body. I am not over energetic on that amount but at least I can do something. On the other hand, I have a sister the when she takes 2.5 mg she becomes very active and OCD. Her mood changes a LOT! She gets angry and defensive and snarly. My point: there is no one answer. Let your body be your guide and have someone who can tell you honestly and lovingly if you are reacting or acting differently then your normal.

Hugs, Reet

If it's short-term, it's really not anywhere near the risk as long-term. I hope it helps, and hope you're getting some relief, and getting the symptoms under control.

JerseyGirl said:

Thanks everyone. I read the side effects and it really is scary. I'm hoping short term doesn't do more harm than good. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

I've managed to get and stay off prednisone with a gluten-free, dairy free diet (and a few other things I have to avoid food wise, because i realized I reacted to them, like shrimp, pineapple, and nutrasweet- used to be addicted to diet soda. Plus I eat lots more veggies now). I've had 3 major flares (kidneys, lungs, stroke, anemia, joints, fever, massive weight loss neuropathy congestive heart failure etc) over the course of 20 years, and each time I was able to get off the prednisone completely within 9-10 months. Mostly diet but also alternative medicine and humor and making art (writing/ music), and friendship.

It is possible to live well after diagnosis!! There is hope.

Here's my blog if any of you are interested http://lupusandhumor.blogspot.com/