I have been on pred for almost 1 yr. now. Some side affects diminished after a few months. (nadea, upset stomach, lack of sleep and most sweats.) But I still have a swollen face and feet. My arms are always marked from bumping them and cut very easy. I have lost 10 pounds but my gut is 3 inches larger. Not sure if this is from pred or just lack of exersize because i've become so week. I am taking 120 mg every other day and I believe my neuro is going to try to reduce it when I see him in 3 days.. He want's me off of it.

I get IGIV 2 days a month and I take 300 mg of mestinon and 2000 mg of Cellcept a day.

I am feeling better most days and seem to be getting a little strength back.

Welcome Scrubbs!


I have all the same issues that you describe with the prednisone. I haven't really gained weight, but my stomach does seem to have an extra 3" of fat on it. I also have a ginormous face, with a bit of neck fat in the front and the seedlings of the buffalo hump. I've also noticed that the hair around the crown of my face is becoming darker sorta, or thicker, hard to tell...I've also got some acne, which I never really went through before...My blood sugar also goes way up from time-to-time...

I also experience increased pressure around my sinus area...I don't know if it's from the swelling in my face, but I've noticed that when the swelling is particularly bad, I have this pressure...Could also be from my weak palate...

I'd actually really like to get off of this...I don't see it helping me much...I's helped me a lot in terms of developing Cushing's syndrome, but not much with the MG...In fact, I've noticed more muscle weakness in my legs and arms since taking this and slightly worse breathing problems, but that could just be from the flu season...

I'm glad that you're feeling a bit better, Scrubbs! In which areas do you notice the most increase in strength?

Ttys!
Nicky

My doc put me on prednisone Fall 2008. Although I am not a stranger to it, since I have asthma, it was definitely a pain to get used to.

First it was the rapid heart beats, then the night sweats, then the appetite urges, then here comes the weight.

I was sleeping erratically because every time I laid down I couldn't go to sleep because my heart beating would wake me up, and trust me when I say this was aggravating because I can sleep through a hurricane. Then once I finally went to sleep I was sweating so bad my sheets would stick to me. So I learned to take my pill when I woke up so by night the pounding would stop and to ALWAYS have a fan on.

The next thing I knew I had an appetite that would put a pregnant woman to shame. I would wake up in the middle of the night wanting a hot fudge sundae or a third helping of dinner. Before I knew it I was gaining 3 to 5 pounds a week. I went from 185 to 225 in about 4 months. I got to the point where I had to take hoodia to curb my appetite.

Even though it has been about 8 months since I have been off of Prednisone and I still have another 10lbs to lose.

As far as the medical benefit, i did not see any difference so I tapered myself off the drug which seemed very long and agonizing. NOTE: If you just stop taking it cold turkey, it is not only dangerous, but the withdrawal symptoms are VERY unbearable.

Hope this helps!

Stephanie