bun, Go to healthline.com and type prednisone. One side effect is roundness of the face. Prednisone is a steroid and most docs will not prescribe for long periods of time. For what ever reason yours has I would not take it that long. But it also says not to suddenly stop taking if youve taken for weeks or more.

Hey Bun, Charlotte again............I used to be on Pred 15mg a day. I got real heavy, about 187 and looked awful in my opinion and I had the moonface too. Didn't realize until I got my pic taken for a Sam's Club membership and OMIGOSH! Anyway, weaned myself off and YES the moonface went away and so did almost 30 pounds. I am now on only 2.5mg a day for both Rheumatoid Arthritis and Emphysema. Pred is a drug we love to hate -- it does such wonders, but the side effects are excructiating!! Luv & Later & Laughter, Charlotte PensionPrincess1

Hi bun I'm just new to this but I also took Prednisone on and off for over 4 mths. Got the moonface. put on weight but worst of all it thinned my bones. I got a cracked rib from coughing and immediately my doctor weened me off them. That was over a yr ago and although I manage without it, using it was sooooo good. It is the miracle drug of the century but sooo many side effects.
Tep.

I have been on and off prednisone for about 8 months now. I just use it when I need to-catching something or really short of breath. I would like to not take it at all-but breathing is good. lol Make sure you are taking calcium with vitamin D because predisone does make your bones brittle. My "moon" face tends to come and go but I always had a bit of "tubby" cheeks. I am sure you know, but if you try to get off be careful. My doc has me go down slow. I normally do 30 mg for 6 days, 25 for 5, 20 for 5 (down until 5 mg). Then I do 5 mg every other day for 5 days as well. You should talk to you doctor! Something else that has happened to me is "thin skin". My skin is like tissue paper-and tears and bleeds without even hardly touching it. My Grandmother was 96 when she passed and I don't think she even had this as bad as I do. I have been off for a couple of weeks this time and I am healing. We will see! I have learned to be very careful, but it's a pain in the butt. Hard to even play with my puppy. Oh well! Just be careful-and the ballon face should go away. HUGS, Kathy

I am on40 mg of prednisone per day right now and yes the balloon face will eventually go down as you ,lower your dose. I was on 125mgSolumedrol and gained almost 100 lbs from it but I havwe so far lost 46 of it with the lower dose. There will always be alittle swelling as long as you are taking it but as time passes and your body gets more used to it,you may be ableto stop it all together. Also, keep an eye on your blood glucose levels becuz steroids can raise them to diabetic levels. Hugs to you! Jeanne

Hi! I have been on prednisone for about three years. I am on a daily maintenance dose and have had frequent tapers as well. In the three years my weight has doubled. My face is as round as a ball. Prednisone is a drug like a double edged sword. It offers many, many benefits, (like allowing me to breathe) but has very negative side effects. I worked in food service for thirty years. My body was used to constant movement. Now, I cannot hardly move without extreme breathlessness. I am so depressed. When I am depressed... I eat! Comfort food! That...combined with prednisone...not good!!! Good luck! JoAnn

I took pred for awhile, it made me very overweight, puffy face, etc.. I found out that pred can also cause heart problems too. Something my doctor didn't tell me! I told my doctor I was not gonna take it anymore, because it really wasn't helping me. Howver you do what you feel is right for you. As for me I will not take pred anymore. Take care and hang in there!

Its also the reason emphysema patients get premature Osteoporosis!

I think things will get better on 10 or 7l/2 mg per day. I was on high doses for 10 years and have all the side effects; but I believe the thought today is a low, low dose isn't that harmful. (some people don't agree; but if it helps you breathe than it is worth a chance)...Everyone reacts differently to this drug...

Like tons of others, I imagine, I have a love-hate relationship with Predisone. It does cause the airways to open up. It also causes mood swings, insomnia, huge weight gain, and will suppress your immune system leaving you open for other infections, etc.

I have had some really intense excerbations requiring hospitalizations from 7-15 days. During those times I was given Prednisone. I also will take it ONLY when I am having an exerbation and then in a Predisone burst. I refuse to take it on a daily basis.

I would be most careful with this drug. Abrupt withdrawal can cause major problems as its usage causes your adrenal glands to shut down and it takes awhile for them to start working again.

Every time I have heard of anyone withdrawing from this drug after they have taken it for some time is a slow taper off under a doctor's supervision.

This is one drug I have a healthy respect for and a healthy fear of.

Some doctors know are using alternate days for a maintenance dose.
Which is what I might consider...

Doctors today are using alternate days for a maintenance dose. I have had severe breathing problems and given a choice of increasing nebulizer treatments to six times per day or low dose of prednisone. I opted for the nebulizer treatments and that made my breathing worse.
charles