How Long is too long on Prednisone

I know people who have been on Prednisone for several years. Is there any way your physicians can try to slowly reduce the amount of Prednisone you are on? This maybe adding pills to more pills but have you tried to take some type of medication to help with your mood? Some antidepressantive madications can help with mood swings and burst of anger. Since you are on Prednisone then you ill. Could living with an illness be also causing your anger problem? I am disabled, I went from working fulltime making over 6K a month to making less than 1/4 of that on Social Security and feeling crappy a lot of the time. I was working in middle management and going to school to earn my Bachelors degree. My plan was to graduate next year and become upper management at the hospital where I worked for 20 years. I started as a nurses aide. So I know how living with an illness can make one bitter.

Hi, I just read your posting, and realized that you never responded to anybody (though it was almost a year ago). are you okay? Why did you start up the prednisone? I have been on prednisone for a very, very long time, and though it has saved my life many times, it has also brought on so many horrible side effects even beyond weight gain or anger. Unless it is a necessity, you should try to get off as soon as possible. Even short term use can bring long term side effects. Feel free to write to me privately.

I have been on prednisone for 16yrs now. I have only been off of it for about 2-3 months at a time and that was over 13yrs ago when they realized that I had to stay on it indefinately. I was on very high dosages as well but over time it has been decreased. I have had the weight gain, the moonface and so many of the initial symptoms. The only side effect that I have that is ongoing is osteoporosis. It does cause many problems that can affect your home, environment and job. For me it wasn't a choice though.

I know this medicine has strong side effects.You have been far too long on this medicine. Consulting your doctor and taking his advise would be more appropriate action.

I am asthmatic and my doctor advise me to use prednisone up to some extent only. I usually don't exceed the ~1 week period. Looks like you are really taking the medicine for quite a long time already. I suggest consulting other doctors and solicit their opinion on what's best for you. At any rate, if it really requires you to have the med as maintainance, your family is the best group that can appreciate and understand you even with the weight gain :)

What a great question. My 11 year old daughter has been on Prednisone for 4 months now to treat Crohn's Disease. I have been wondering the same thing. She has the weight gain, which she can't stand, and the mood swings. She is being weaned now. I hope she can continue on the downward track!!! Hang in there, but yeah, talk to your Dr. and see what else, if anything, you could possibly get on.

I have Lupus and have taken prednisone several times. Four months is the longest I have taken it. I know others have taken it for years. The side effects you mentioned are minor compared to the other ones. It can damage your arteries and bones. You don't know about those happening till it is to late. Ask your doctor if he can try you on a non steriod medication. There are some good ones.

8 months sounds like a really long time to be taking such a strong medication. My son had to take predisone for a couple of weeks when he was 5 (he's 8 now), due to a severe case of pnemonia. He turned into a very angry little monster during the time that he was on it, so the doctor slowly took him off. I don't know what condition you have that you are treating with this medication, but I would strongly advise you to speak to your doctor about other options. Good luck!

prednisone is a steroid and yes that seems like a long time i have taken it so i know of the side effects I recomend you talk to your doc about taking you off it