Prednisone is a strong anti-inflammatory. I have taken it in the past.



D

I went on a 60MG course for severe poison oak exposure several years back...it's really strong stuff. I averaged 3 hours of sleep a night for over 3 weeks...I wouldn't have believed that was possible, but it is. The first week was pretty cool, but when you are really tired, and can't sleep, it's no fun. Prednisone affects different people in different ways, but it gave me amazing energy...every other night at 3:00am, I'd go for an 8 mile threshhold run, and I couldn't believe the energy I had. There have been some posts that prednisone was at one point a doping agent in the French peloton.

I would avoid taking it if you can, or get off it as quick as possible, though. It's a really serious drug. The dosage you are taking is small, but if you are sensitive, even that will be enough to cause issues.

Stan

I am tapering off it right now. Mine was 40mg for four days, 20 for three, 10 for three. It's a great anti-inflammatory, but it makes you puff up. I can't wait to get off it.

That's actually a pretty low dose. I wouldn't worry. A recent study that came out of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (the study didn't, they just announced the results) is that if you're on pred for 2 weeks or less, you can go off it cold turkey no problem.

I was on 40mg daily for some 3 months, then tapering down. I didn't get any of the "puffiness" or weight gain that a lot of people report. It's an individual thing. At 10mg, and for only 10 days, you shouldn't have any problems.

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Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...

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Agree, 10mg for 10 days will result in no problems. But no weight gain or moon face from 3 months at 40mg is EXTREMELY rare - much beyond an "individual thing." You were a very rare exception. Prednisone is a very good drug but has some definite side effects when taken long term.

isn't this a PED? Some amateur roadies I know take that as well as Salbutamol.

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bike bike!

I was coming off a 3-month flare up of colitis... That was pretty extreme in itself (I lost 15 lbs). It was the first time I had beenon a sustained dosage (usually started at 40 and tapered down by 5 mg every other day). I'm not on Colazal instead of sulfasalazine. Seems to be doing the job.

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Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...

https://triomultisport.com/
http://www.mjolnircycles.com/

Thanks for all your responses. It's appreciated. I'm generally careful when taking something prescribed by a doctor. I have fluid in the inner ear that will not drain. You guys hit on all the side effects that I read about concerning this steroid. I have a Olympic distance race on 9/18/05. I'll most likly have to take this drug to try to clear up this ear problem.

You guys are good. Thanks.

Smitty

isn't this a PED?[/reply]no it's not - anabolic steroids are a different class of steroid. if anything, it's a PDD (performance diminishing drug).

Steroids destroy your immune system. Be sure to read the warnings and indications that come with the drug. I remember seeing on leaflet in a package of Prednisone that said if you experienced any sore throat or minor cold in the 12 months following your usage to contact your doctor immediately. Thats enough to keep me off. But then again, you have to weigh that against whatever is the reason for your Doc to prescribe it. Something I would ask about.

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Partially-Hydrogenated

I've been in prednisone before for a severe asthma attacks and always look for other options before resulting to using it. It's a corticosteroid and is used as a powerful anti-inflammatory. Having to be on it a short time shouldn't be that big of a deal, but there are a laundry list of side effects which I'd rather do without.

I swear that is the same thing that I am giving my dog each day. Not sure of the strength though, don't have a bottle handy. We've tried a couple of other drugs but this is the one that seems to work best for her. Without it, she couldn't live. As it is, her days are limited at this point. :-(

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Mike Plumb, TriPower MultiSports
Professional Running, Cycling and Multisport Coaching, F.I.S.T. Certified
http://www.tripower.org

NO!! DON'T GO OFF IT QUICKLY. Prednisone starts with a full, heavy does but you should be extremely careful to follow directions for a gradual cessation. Cold turkey can cause pysch breaks. This is a serious drug.

Be careful. It works but don't play with the dosage.

B

(spent the day at FDA and National Institutes of Health regarding pharmaceutical development today. Not a doctor but I've been known to play the nurse)

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"the only normal people are the ones you don't know"

Hey Mike -

Sorry to hear about your dog. That's tough.

Very hard to watch an animal you love suffer.

Hang in there ...

k

Just a tip: Don't take it late in the day or you may well suffer sleep interruptions. Take it first thing in the morning.

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Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...

https://triomultisport.com/
http://www.mjolnircycles.com/

That's what concerns me about going on this drug. If we aren't already with a lower immune system with all the work outs we do. I'm just going to wait a while and see what happens. Thanks for your input on this.

Smitty

The immuno suppressive effects occur at much higher doses than the anti-inflammatory efects

Taku,



Thanks you guys are good.

Smitty