“Coaches Corner” – Prednisone

In a previous Coaches Corner I have given prednisone tips. It is a good time now for an update as there are new patients who are diagnosed and who are leery of the side effects that can come from taking a steroid treatment.

No one chooses to take prednisone as a medication.  However, it is used frequently for a variety of medical conditions, like pemphigus and pemphigoid (P/P). Prednisone is often used as the first line of defense against P/P. It works rather quickly and is effective in diminishing disease activity.

To learn more about prednisone, how it is used, what precautions to take before taking it, dietary suggestions, and side effects please go to this link from the U.S. Library of Medicine: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a601102.html

A few of the side effects from taking prednisone can be:

Headache, dizziness, difficulty, falling asleep or staying asleep, extreme changes in mood, changes in the way fat is spread around the body, extreme tiredness, weak muscles, and more.

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

vision problems, eye pain, redness, or tearing, sore throat, fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection, depression, upset stomach, lightheadedness, shortness of breath(especially during the night), swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs, difficulty breathing or swallowing.

Please note that not everyone experiences every side effect and that even taking treatments like aspirin can come with side effects.  Everyone has his or her own unique physiological makeup. Therefore, while experiences with prednisone may be similar, they are not exactly alike.

Remember, when you need us we are in your corner!