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If prednisone is bad then please explain…

Question:

I do appreciate your post, but I’m still a bit confused why it is "perfectly safe" to use a few times in one’s life but not 2-3 short durations per year. If the body recovers properly from a few times in one’s life, why would the body not also recover from use 2-3x per year?   I would assume that even the single time "perfectly safe" use must actually cause permanent imbalance or side-effects OR on the flip side, I would assume that 2-3 short durations per year would be safe? "Shelagh" <valleylu…@telus.net> wrote in message

news:cq_E8.17664$bV3.883057@news0.telusplanet.net… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi, Here is some ‘medically-explanatory info’ for you: > The term cortisone is often used collectively to include all the > glucocorticoids, both the naturally occurring and the synthetic > compounds such as prednisone. > Cortisone is classed as a glucocorticoid with cortisol and > corticosterone. > Its effects include increased glucose release from the liver, increased > liver glycogen synthesis, and decreased utilization of glucose by the > tissues. > These actions tend to counter the effects of insulin and may aggravate > or mimic diabetes in sufficiently high doses. >  Cortisone also exerts an effect on salt retention in the kidneys > similar to that of aldosterone, although it is not as potent. > The hormone causes increased breakdown of proteins and decreased protein > synthesis, and large doses given over a long period of time may result > in inhibited growth in children or weakening of bones and wasting of > muscles in adults. > The principal medical use of cortisone comes from its anti-inflammatory > and anti-allergic effects. > It is extremely useful in the treatment of innumerable diseases > including asthma and other allergic reactions, arthritis, lupus and > various skin diseases. > Hope that the info above helps you understand cortisone or ‘prednisone’ > somewhat better with regards to its’  adverse effects on our systems. > from Shelagh  <:) >  valleylu…@telus.net > Lupus – Invisible in Plain Sight   AT > http://www3.telus.net/valleylupus/index.html > "AMM" <newsgroupREMOVEALLCAPSacco…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:G6_E8.13792$DF2.2582198@twister.socal.rr.com… > > 1) Doctors say that prednisone is very safe for short term use. > > 2) Doctors also say that prednisone, even for short durations, should > only > > be used so many times in ones life because too many short-term uses is > > unhealthy. > > Could someone please give me a medical explanation for these seemingly > > conflicting statements?   If it is perfectly OK for short-term use, > then why > > would it be bad to take for … example … 2 or 3 short periods per y > ear > > for the rest of your life?  I’d appreciate some insight into this from > a > > medical perspective, commenting perhaps about the chemicals or tissues > > involved in permanent adverse effects.

Response:

My brother (32 yrs old) has RA and has been taking prednisone daily for 2 years.  Can’t remember the exact dosage but I know its high.  He broke his ankle and ripped tendons off recently.  Dr. said his bones have been made brittle by the RA and the prednisone.  I can’t believe 2 yrs. would have such an impact on his bones. dawn

Response:

Hello Dawn, So sorry about your brother.  Has he has a bone scan to see what other bones are at risk? What’s the plan?  wean him off the pred? Ran some searches, you might want to look through some of these. Is he hyperparathyroid?  Kidney problems? Maybe you can make a list of co-factors or things that might help the bones? One place mentioned calcium and Vit D..for some reason I associate that with the sun and since lupies have to avoid the sun, perhaps everyone/anyone taking Pred needs to treat themselves as if they were "menopausal" (female or not)? http://www.google.com/search?as_q=prednisone+bone+fracture&num=10&hl=… Just tossing some ideas out, in case any of them help. Keep us posted on how he is doing and how you are doing too. :) Hugs J – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -"Dawn S." wrote: > My brother (32 yrs old) has RA and has been taking prednisone daily for 2 > years.  Can’t remember the exact dosage but I know its high.  He broke his > ankle and ripped tendons off recently.  Dr. said his bones have been made > brittle by the RA and the prednisone.  I can’t believe 2 yrs. would have > such an impact on his bones. > dawn

Response:

its called the bone busting drug.  It causes bone loss and then you will end up with osteoporosis. This is what I have been told.  When I had a bone mineral density test they asked if I had ever taken  prednisone.  By the way I am new here. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -AMM wrote: >1) Doctors say that prednisone is very safe for short term use. >2) Doctors also say that prednisone, even for short durations, should only >be used so many times in ones life because too many short-term uses is >unhealthy. >Could someone please give me a medical explanation for these seemingly >conflicting statements?   If it is perfectly OK for short-term use, then why >would it be bad to take for … example … 2 or 3 short periods per year >for the rest of your life?  I’d appreciate some insight into this from a >medical perspective, commenting perhaps about the chemicals or tissues >involved in permanent adverse effects.

Response:

Welcome to the group.  Would like to see you join in more often.  The more the merrier with this great group of ours. Sherry

Response:

I found this on line Prednisone has a great many potential undesirable effects, usually related to dose and duration of drug use. It can cause mood changes, weight gain, decreased resistance to infection, increased susceptibility to diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, glaucoma, lens cataracts and stomach ulcers, as well as a host of uncommon "side" effects Prednisone is a synthetic drug taken by mouth which resembles natural hormones produced by the cortex of human adrenal glands. The body depends upon these hormones, called corticosteroids or "steroids," during stress. When prednisone is taken in doses higher that 20 milligrams daily for longer than a week, the body’s natural production of adrenal hormones begins to decrease. This is called "adrenal suppression," and is an undesirable but inevitable effect of taking high doses of a synthetic steroid. Once this occurs, prednisone cannot be stopped all at once but must be slowly tapered down over several months to give the adrenal glands a chance to "wake up" and begin producing natural adrenal hormones again. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -AMM wrote: >1) Doctors say that prednisone is very safe for short term use. >2) Doctors also say that prednisone, even for short durations, should only >be used so many times in ones life because too many short-term uses is >unhealthy. >Could someone please give me a medical explanation for these seemingly >conflicting statements?   If it is perfectly OK for short-term use, then why >would it be bad to take for … example … 2 or 3 short periods per year >for the rest of your life?  I’d appreciate some insight into this from a >medical perspective, commenting perhaps about the chemicals or tissues >involved in permanent adverse effects.

Response:

I found this on line Prednisone is a synthetic drug taken by mouth which resembles natural hormones produced by the cortex of human adrenal glands. The body depends upon these hormones, called corticosteroids or "steroids," during stress. When prednisone is taken in doses higher that 20 milligrams daily for longer than a week, the body’s natural production of adrenal hormones begins to decrease. This is called "adrenal suppression," and is an undesirable but inevitable effect of taking high doses of a synthetic steroid. Once this occurs, prednisone cannot be stopped all at once but must be slowly tapered down over several months to give the adrenal glands a chance to "wake up" and begin producing natural adrenal hormones again Prednisone has a great many potential undesirable effects, usually related to dose and duration of drug use. It can cause mood changes, weight gain, decreased resistance to infection, increased susceptibility to diabetes, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, glaucoma, lens cataracts and stomach ulcers, as well as a host of uncommon "side" effects. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -AMM wrote: >1) Doctors say that prednisone is very safe for short term use. >2) Doctors also say that prednisone, even for short durations, should only >be used so many times in ones life because too many short-term uses is >unhealthy. >Could someone please give me a medical explanation for these seemingly >conflicting statements?   If it is perfectly OK for short-term use, then why >would it be bad to take for … example … 2 or 3 short periods per year >for the rest of your life?  I’d appreciate some insight into this from a >medical perspective, commenting perhaps about the chemicals or tissues >involved in permanent adverse effects.

Response:

On Fri, 17 May 2002 02:42:46 GMT, "AMM" <newsgroupREMOVEALLCAPSacco…@yahoo.com>  wrote: >1) Doctors say that prednisone is very safe for short term use. >2) Doctors also say that prednisone, even for short durations, should only >be used so many times in ones life because too many short-term uses is >unhealthy. >Could someone please give me a medical explanation for these seemingly >conflicting statements?  

Doctors have to speak out of both sides of their mouth to prevent lawsuits. >If it is perfectly OK for short-term use, then why >would it be bad to take for … example … 2 or 3 short periods per year >for the rest of your life?  

probably has something to do with the recovery rate of the adrenals. "safe" for one short-term use means the body can recover from the med and not show long term damage.  But it doesn’t mean the drug doesn’t *do* any damage during that period.  just that the damage is reversible.  having more frequent ST treatments then would give less time for potential damage to be repaired or staved off. guessing? I’m about to get knocked off the PC by a storm. gotta run.

Response:

On Fri, 17 May 2002 16:28:53 GMT, "AMM" <newsgroupREMOVEALLCAPSacco…@yahoo.com>  wrote: >I do appreciate your post, but I’m still a bit confused why it is "perfectly >safe" to use a few times in one’s life but not 2-3 short durations per year. >If the body recovers properly from a few times in one’s life, why would the >body not also recover from use 2-3x per year?   I would assume that even the >single time "perfectly safe" use must actually cause permanent imbalance or >side-effects OR on the flip side, I would assume that 2-3 short durations >per year would be safe?

well – I think the safest assumption is that we really don’t *know* and therefore these pre-cautions are taken when they can be.  since each body is different and can have faster or slower adverse reactions or not be as efficient at repairing itself vs. someone else’s body – then you have to throw in caveats.

Response:

I can’t help you there… myself, I am on 5mg. daily and feel so much better for taking it… and so far I have had no adverse effects so really can’t answer you other than giving you the facts as previously sent.  There are so many conflicting medical statements, from different doctors in different specialties, about almost every drug and every drug does have some adverse effects with some  percentage of the population. So ask your doc the same question and see what you’re told… I for one would like to know. — from Shelagh  <:)  valleylu…@telus.net Lupus – Invisible in Plain Sight   AT http://www3.telus.net/valleylupus/index.html "AMM" <newsgroupREMOVEALLCAPSacco…@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:9daF8.7904$V71.2996532@twister.socal.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> I do appreciate your post, but I’m still a bit confused why it is "perfectly > safe" to use a few times in one’s life but not 2-3 short durations per year. > If the body recovers properly from a few times in one’s life, why would the > body not also recover from use 2-3x per year?   I would assume that even the > single time "perfectly safe" use must actually cause permanent imbalance or > side-effects OR on the flip side, I would assume that 2-3 short durations > per year would be safe? > "Shelagh" <valleylu…@telus.net> wrote in message > news:cq_E8.17664$bV3.883057@news0.telusplanet.net… > > Hi, Here is some ‘medically-explanatory info’ for you: > > The term cortisone is often used collectively to include all the > > glucocorticoids, both the naturally occurring and the synthetic > > compounds such as prednisone. > > Cortisone is classed as a glucocorticoid with cortisol and > > corticosterone. > > Its effects include increased glucose release from the liver, increased > > liver glycogen synthesis, and decreased utilization of glucose by the > > tissues. > > These actions tend to counter the effects of insulin and may aggravate > > or mimic diabetes in sufficiently high doses. > >  Cortisone also exerts an effect on salt retention in the kidneys > > similar to that of aldosterone, although it is not as potent. > > The hormone causes increased breakdown of proteins and decreased protein > > synthesis, and large doses given over a long period of time may result > > in inhibited growth in children or weakening of bones and wasting of > > muscles in adults. > > The principal medical use of cortisone comes from its anti-inflammatory > > and anti-allergic effects. > > It is extremely useful in the treatment of innumerable diseases > > including asthma and other allergic reactions, arthritis, lupus and > > various skin diseases. > > Hope that the info above helps you understand cortisone or ‘prednisone’ > > somewhat better with regards to its’  adverse effects on our systems. > > from Shelagh  <:) > >  valleylu…@telus.net > > Lupus – Invisible in Plain Sight   AT > > http://www3.telus.net/valleylupus/index.html > > "AMM" <newsgroupREMOVEALLCAPSacco…@yahoo.com> wrote in message > > news:G6_E8.13792$DF2.2582198@twister.socal.rr.com… > > > 1) Doctors say that prednisone is very safe for short term use. > > > 2) Doctors also say that prednisone, even for short durations, should > > only > > > be used so many times in ones life because too many short-term uses is > > > unhealthy. > > > Could someone please give me a medical explanation for these seemingly > > > conflicting statements?   If it is perfectly OK for short-term use, > > then why > > > would it be bad to take for … example … 2 or 3 short periods per y > > ear > > > for the rest of your life?  I’d appreciate some insight into this from > > a > > > medical perspective, commenting perhaps about the chemicals or tissues > > > involved in permanent adverse effects.

Response:

1) Doctors say that prednisone is very safe for short term use. 2) Doctors also say that prednisone, even for short durations, should only be used so many times in ones life because too many short-term uses is unhealthy. Could someone please give me a medical explanation for these seemingly conflicting statements?   If it is perfectly OK for short-term use, then why would it be bad to take for … example … 2 or 3 short periods per year for the rest of your life?  I’d appreciate some insight into this from a medical perspective, commenting perhaps about the chemicals or tissues involved in permanent adverse effects.

Response:

Hi, Here is some ‘medically-explanatory info’ for you: The term cortisone is often used collectively to include all the glucocorticoids, both the naturally occurring and the synthetic compounds such as prednisone. Cortisone is classed as a glucocorticoid with cortisol and corticosterone. Its effects include increased glucose release from the liver, increased liver glycogen synthesis, and decreased utilization of glucose by the tissues. These actions tend to counter the effects of insulin and may aggravate or mimic diabetes in sufficiently high doses.  Cortisone also exerts an effect on salt retention in the kidneys similar to that of aldosterone, although it is not as potent. The hormone causes increased breakdown of proteins and decreased protein synthesis, and large doses given over a long period of time may result in inhibited growth in children or weakening of bones and wasting of muscles in adults. The principal medical use of cortisone comes from its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. It is extremely useful in the treatment of innumerable diseases including asthma and other allergic reactions, arthritis, lupus and various skin diseases. Hope that the info above helps you understand cortisone or ‘prednisone’ somewhat better with regards to its’  adverse effects on our systems. from Shelagh  <:)  valleylu…@telus.net Lupus – Invisible in Plain Sight   AT http://www3.telus.net/valleylupus/index.html "AMM" <newsgroupREMOVEALLCAPSacco…@yahoo.com> wrote in message

news:G6_E8.13792$DF2.2582198@twister.socal.rr.com… – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> 1) Doctors say that prednisone is very safe for short term use. > 2) Doctors also say that prednisone, even for short durations, should only > be used so many times in ones life because too many short-term uses is > unhealthy. > Could someone please give me a medical explanation for these seemingly > conflicting statements?   If it is perfectly OK for short-term use, then why > would it be bad to take for … example … 2 or 3 short periods per y ear > for the rest of your life?  I’d appreciate some insight into this from a > medical perspective, commenting perhaps about the chemicals or tissues > involved in permanent adverse effects.

Response:

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