The reason I suggested earlier to try a 5 day course is that any longer requires a slow taper. You can take steroids up to about a week and stop without a taper, but anything after that requires step-down doses. You could end up taking them for 3 more weeks if you have to taper off...and sometimes that taper can be uncomfortable (like withdrawal). Also, you should know in a week if it will help (if you take 40-60 mg a day)...even if you just get partial results. They have taper packs that run longer than 5-7 days, but they incldue the taper as part of the dosing...like 60mg for 2 days, 40 mg for 2 days, 30mg for 2 days, 20 mg for 2 days, 10 mg for 2 days, 5 mg for 2 days, then stop. There are other variation of this type of dosing as well.

Most common short term side-effects include insomnia, weight gain (not much for just a week, but you might retain some fluid), and stomach upset (take with food). These side-effects go away when you stop taking it.

The long term use side-effects can include significant weight gain/increase appitite, insomnia, anxiety and/or mood changes, increase in blood sugar (to the point of steroid induced diabetes), bone loss (osteoporosis/osteopenia), thin skin, easy bruising and even hypertension. These problems (especially bone loss) can be permanent even if you stop the medication.