Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I am on prednisone for this croup I have. I was just reading up on it and found that it is an adrenal suppressant if used for more than 7 days. My adrenals are compromised already and I'm taking stuff to boost my adrenals. The Dr. knew this. What now? Do you know anything about prednisone? I just looked at the prescription bottle and I'm only supposed to take it for 5 days. So does that mean I'm ok or am I playing Russian roulette here? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 You do have to breath. I would guess that the doctor thinks a short course of the prednisone will be okay. Is this your regular doctor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 You do have to breath. I would guess that the doctor thinks a short course of the prednisone will be okay. Is this your regular doctor? No - he's the Urgent Care Dr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I'm not the expert here on this, old nurse that I am. Have you taken a couple of pills and are decreasing dosage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 I've taken 2 pills (one days worth). Then I decided to google prednisone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuntieM Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Gosh, Jean, I don't know about your particular circumstances, considering you've been working on adrenal issues for a while now. But, breathing is not optional. My kids have done that short course of prednisone before, it really does make all the difference in their airway recovery. I'm thinking that by not taking it, you may not recuperate nearly as fast, and your overall condition (perhaps including lower blood oxygen levels) might impact your adrenals in a negative way as well. Guess what I'm saying is, maybe it's really just 6 one way, half a dozen the other...? I really hope you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbsweetpea Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Are you worried because of your THyroid? I am hypothyroid and have Asthma. I end up on prednisone at least once (dose pack) or twice a year. For that short of a period of time it does not hurt. It will be fine if taken over a five day period with you decreasing it. You may feel more tired but I am guessing since you are so sick you will feel that way anyway. I personally just got over a two week MEGA virus that left me with hallucinations from high fever and unable to see in one eye (the viral pink eye was that bad and I still have sight problems). I thought I was dying. I ended up on prednisone and the ER DR gave me 60 MG over 4 days without decreasing. I started seeing spiders everywhere on that high of a dose ... my doctor said this is not uncommon with some people. So don't stress if you start seeing things. Just call your doctor. Drink lots of water while on it and after to flush all the water weight you will gain out. I hope it helps you get better quickly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I had to dig myself out of adrenal fatigue and CFS and my gut instinct says to take the prednisone. :grouphug: I love you. Keep us updated and I will pray that you feel better soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 i have to take prednisone for months when i'm pregnant.... over that length of time it fries just about everything..... but for the blister pack that lasts only a few days and tapers all the way, my experience is that i've been fine each time. of course, ymmv :grouphug: breathe well ann Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 This is not a blister pack that tapers. It is a prescription for 5 straight days of 40 mg. I have no idea if that is a low, medium or high dose. The Dr. said nothing about lowering my dose at the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 :grouphug: Nothing is ever easy, is it? You are getting more advice now. Sift through and say a prayer. I pray you get some sleep and are feeling better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 Dh says to take it. He wants me to breathe too.:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 its a low dose. (usually they start me at 3x that much, and then they have to taper.) so i would choose breathing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natalieclare Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Dh says to take it. He wants me to breathe too.:) I'm with your dh. I have had to take prednisone before, and I hate it, too. But I heard you the other day! You need to breathe! You need to laugh! And stop googling medical stuff. You know better than that! You're going to make yourself crazy worried! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 I'm with your dh. I have had to take prednisone before, and I hate it, too. But I heard you the other day! You need to breathe! You need to laugh! And stop googling medical stuff. You know better than that! You're going to make yourself crazy worried! :lol: You always get me to laugh. :lol: (But that started me coughing. . .) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoughCollie Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Dh says to take it. He wants me to breathe too.:) To breathe or not to breathe ... isn't that the ultimate question? Your adrenal glands won't function at all if you aren't breathing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 To breathe or not to breathe ... isn't that the ultimate question? Your adrenal glands won't function at all if you aren't breathing! Picky picky.....LOL :lol::lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmmaNZ Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 5 days of 40mg pred is not a high dose. I would trust your doctor over a random website any day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 5 days of 40mg pred is not a high dose. I would trust your doctor over a random website any day! I'm thinking that he must have prescribed the low dose because he knew about the adrenal problem. That makes me feel better. And it wasn't a random website - it was the Mayo Clinic's web site! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in WA Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 And it wasn't a random website - it was the Mayo Clinic's web site! :lol: Oh, of course! Overacheiveing even on websearches... :laugh: But seriously, :grouphug::grouphug: Take the medicine, get better! My daughter wants to see your daughter at the gym next week! She was disappointed to miss her today even though I had warned her ahead of time. (And lest you feel guilty about being sick :rolleyes: It was team picture day, so maybe easer for your daughter to miss than see all the girls in their uniforms and fancy hair.) Feel better! (that's an order, and perhaps I should sleep, since I seem to be getting inordinately silly... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 Take the medicine, get better! My daughter wants to see your daughter at the gym next week! She was disappointed to miss her today even though I had warned her ahead of time. Dd8 is still sick too. She's still got that croupy cough esp. at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 This is why I LOVE the internet. I am having the same problem. I have acute bronchitis that started after having a mild flu over Halloween and this cough will NOT go away. It was productive, but not so much anymore and is less frequent. I'm still short of breath and coughing though. Please go get tested for pertussis (whooping cough). We are in the midst of an outbreak here, and two of my kids were diagnosed with it on Thursday. A cough that doesn't go away, especially with shortness of breath, is very suspicious for pertussis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I think it will be fine IMHO. It is also ok if it is not a tapering dose since you are taking it only for a short period of time. Short burst of prednisone are ok. It is the long term prednisone that is more problematic but it can still be a life saver even then. My ds and I have had to take short bursts of prednisone and from the research I did, it appears to be safe. My doctors also concurred. I hope you feel better soon:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoPlaceLikeHome Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Dh says to take it. He wants me to breathe too.:) :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mejane Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Some people take steroids for years. I think they're the ones who suffer the terrible effects we read about. I was always anti-steroid after watching people I know deteriorate while on them for auto-immune diseases, but when son got a particularly virulent case of poison ivy this summer, his ped put him on prednisone for ten days. It cleared it up and there were no ill effects that I could detect. As others have said, breathing is not optional! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I jus mention this because I also have fibromyalgia. I had a prescription starting at 20 mg that built and the then tapered. Almost immediately, it caused my muscles to lock up to such a degree that they had me stop it cold at about the half way through the course which they don't usually do. It you noticed you muscles tightening up or muscle pain then I would report that to your dr. right away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 It you noticed you muscles tightening up or muscle pain then I would report that to your dr. right away. Good point. This is the kind of thing that does happen to me because of my fibromyalgia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbgrace Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I did a lot of research and the short doses don't seem to have effects (nor do they need tapering). I think the doctor did the right thing in prescribing. I also agree with the pertussis thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 I asked this second Dr. about pertussis and he said that it wasn't pertussis. He did not test me for it though. The first Dr. tested me for stuff but I do not know the extent of the test. He did not say that I have pertussis. Dh who hears me coughing everyday and has listened to my lungs but has not tested me, says that I do not have pertussis. But - even if they are wrong, the antibiotic that I am on is one of the major treatments for pertussis. I'm covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lovedtodeath Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I have a terrible reaction to the croup virus and we thought it was whooping cough at first. I always end up at the doctor's for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in WA Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 Dd8 is still sick too. She's still got that croupy cough esp. at night. :grouphug::grouphug: to your dd as well! Your ds had a cough for a long time iirc. I am so sorry that you all got such nasty germs! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 13, 2010 Author Share Posted November 13, 2010 I'll look into that, Patty. I did give a list of supplements but I don't know if the Dr. would really know what would be compatible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dominion Heather Posted November 13, 2010 Share Posted November 13, 2010 I've had croup and have asthma. Prednisone is a wonder drug... but if you are dramatically better after a day or two, you could call your regular doctor about decreasing the dose. I have had to take it for croup, but never had to take it for the full five days. I'm glad you went in to the Urgent Care. Adult croup is HORRIBLE! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daughterofsarah77 Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 It's a relatively low dose, and the adrenal suppresion is really only a risk if you are taking it for a prolonged amount of time at high dosages. I would continue to take the medication, and just follow-up with your primary dr who is aware of the adrenal issues on Monday to see what their thoughts are. Unfortunately, if inhalers or nebulizers will not correct your breathing, the only other option to reduce inflamation is the Prednisone. It's a crappy drug, but it does do many great things too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCoffeeChick Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 I have asthma and allergies and get put on prednisone at least once or twice a year. It's one of those medicines I have a love/hate relationship with. I love how much better it makes me feel - I hate the side effects. Even though you do have a low dose, I would still have to taper at the end - down to 5 mg. If I don't taper, my whole body aches all over, especially my thighs and knees. Be sure to call your doctor if you get the aches the day after your last dose - he can give you a couple more days worth to taper off. I hope you feel better soon. :grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 14, 2010 Author Share Posted November 14, 2010 Be sure to call your doctor if you get the aches the day after your last dose - he can give you a couple more days worth to taper off. He actually gave me extra though he didn't say to do what you said here. It was just "in case you need it." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*lifeoftheparty* Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Ugh. I have NO idea. I hope you have NO issues!:grouphug: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perry Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 I wanted to check in and ask how the Prednisone is going for you Jean in Newcastle. Is it working? Any bad side effects? My cough has got on my LAST nerve, so I'm going to bite the bullet and start taking it in the morning..... but, I just wanted to check :) Gao Meixue, I don't know if you saw my previous post, but in case you didn't, I wanted to encourage you to go get tested for whooping cough (pertussis). We are having an outbreak and 2 of my kids have it. A cough that doesn't go away, especially with shortness of breath, is very suspicious for pertussis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Taking prednisone does supress your bodies own level of steroids, but only if taken for a longer period of time. 5 days should not be long enough to shut down your own production of steroid. If it is taken longer then you need to taper down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted November 16, 2010 Author Share Posted November 16, 2010 My last day of prednisone is tomorrow. I don't think that I've had any bad side effects. Something is giving me diarrhea but dh (an RN) thinks it is more likely that is from the antibiotic. I am breathing well even though I still have some bad coughing spells. I still have to sleep sitting up in the armchair or I go into a cough that will not stop. The Dr. gave me enough prednisone for another 5 days but he told me to take a week's break between courses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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