COPD & Emphysema Support Group

COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...

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Gingercookie 04/06/2019

I have copd and I have been having an exacerbation for several weeks now. My doctor has been increasing prednisone doseage and now I am taking 40mg a day. I don't really feel much better and the prednisone is making me crazy. I can't sleep and I am eating, eating, eating.

I would appreciate hearing about other experiences with prednisone and any advice on how to deal with the side effects.

Also, I seem to have these exacerbations at the same time every year. Does anyone else have a specific time of year when breathing is harder?

Thanks for the support!

flowerwmn 04/07/2019

The Dr usually prescribes an anti biotic along with prednisone for me. It's usually for a week or ten days. I use advair inhalers twice a day, and
a rescue inhaler (albuterol) as needed. I also use an oxygen concentrator at night when sleeping. The prednisone seems to keep me awake at night when I'm taking it. However, This combo keeps me well. Haven't had shortness of breath in quite some time. I wish you well.

Gingercookie 04/07/2019

thanks

flowerwmn 04/07/2019

I checked a previous prescription for prednisone which was Aug, 2018. I've done well since. It was for 5mg.along with an anti biotic. I can remember taking 10mg and it seemed too strong for me.

Ilovethekitties 04/08/2019

Prednisone is one rough ride! I've had many rodeos with it but fortunately my current pulmonologist isn't a big fan. The last time I had it was in the hospital last year in an IV. I've had so much of it before with my previous pulmonologist that my skin would tear open just by bumping it. I once had such a high dosage that it led me to get the shingles...more skin scaring. And yes the disrupted sleep is horrible. This previous doctor believed in a taper (5mg) beginning with 8 pills 40mg for 2 days then 7 pills 35mg for 2 days then 6 pills 30mg for 2 days and on and on until I got down to 1 pill 5mg for a total of 72 (5mg) tablets! My poor little elderly system just couldn't take that much. Four days inpatient of Sol Medrol IV steroid and antibiotic is the route we use now. My poor arms are so scared up from the skin just peeling off...especially my elbows when I would raise up in bed. The skin would just slogh off! My heart goes out to you because I know how rough taking such a high dose is.

terrib 04/14/2019

I have been on a high dose of prednisone for years 40 plus mg and my skin also just rips open and the bruising is terrible but in addition the steroids have eroded my vertebrae in my back and all of my joints so I am bone on bone everywhere and wheelchair bound and Iam only 59 years old it helps to find some support and people that are going through the same trials and tribulations

Ilovethekitties 06/17/2019

That stuff is one rough ride!

kkayla 08/04/2019

I take a daily antibiotic, Azithromycin, 250 mg, for the exacerbations. It has helped very much but has not cured them completely. At one time I they were hitting me twice or more yearly but I'm now down to no more than one, if that. Like others, I have taken prednisone within a stepping down process. I've gone as high as 60 mg a day but only for a few days and then stepped down, promptly. I call prednisone a "miracle drug with a nuclear bomb attached", which is true. I try to concentrate on the "miracle drug" aspect, however, since it has worked that way with me. Good luck on your journey.

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