Hi Lisa 33,
Pred is effectively active against ocular MG (double vision and droopy eye-lids).
I started with generalized MG in 2007 and was put on Pred with an increasing schedule up to 75 mg/d. My ocular problems disappear within about 2 months and never reoccurred since. I'm now on Mestinon (5 x 60 per day),7.5 mg Pred per day and quit Cellcept after 4 years due to lack of effect. I have also one PLEX every 2 months.
You may consult
http://neuromuscular.wustl.edu/mtime/mgrx.html
for the various side effects you might expect with the available medications.
Personaly, with Pred, I have eye problems (cataracts on both eyes, glaucoma and field vision narrowing) but my father had also cataract and glaucoma without MG..., osteoporosis could be fought with vitamin D3 and calcium supplements, eye internal pressure should be regularly monitored and osteodensitometry performed every 2 or 3 years.
My waist also increased(...) but neither diabetis problem nor moon face...
Pingpongman mentioned skin cancer but I think Cellcept should rather be involved into this.
I think that the treatment of OMG alone with Pred doesn't need to exceed a few months so that Pred possible side effects could be minimized.
Maurice.