Prednisone/Side Effects Question

[kellyt]

On what dosage of Prednisone did you begin to see the side effects start to diminish?   I'm passed the ravishingly hungry phase.  And I'm passed the "mean" phase.  But my face is still really fat and it's starting to depress me.  I have two more weeks of 12.5 mg and then I go to 10 mg for a month or so, then slowly dropping from there.

Is it at 10 mg or less than 10 mg that side effects start to diminish?

Thanks.

[monrein]

This isn't the answer you want to hear Kelly and besides everyone's different so your experience and those of others might be different also, but mine only started to diminish after many years and I was never on really high doses of pred.  I'm still on 5 mg daily and my face is less round now that I'm back on D but I've never regained the face and bone structure that were mine before all this stuff began.  I tried to adjust to my new face although I never really liked it and focused on all the energy I had to do things.  In photos, I often don't recognize myself in the sense that yeah, I know that's me but that's not what I think I look like in my mind's eye.  So, once the roid rage wore down a bit, I just tried to smile and feel joyful and hoped that people would remember more of how I am than how I look.  I also gave up on electrolysis even though I could get it free and just shave every day with a good electric razor (side effect of years of cyclosporine).

Challenge after challenge, I tell ya.  You sound so nice that frankly, other than yourself of course, I bet no one cares how you look as long as you're feeling healthy and strong.   

[rose1999]

.  I tried to adjust to my new face although I never really liked it and focused on all the energy I had to do things.  In photos, I often don't recognize myself in the sense that yeah, I know that's me but that's not what I think I look like in my mind's eye. 

Monrein, whenever I see your phots I always think of you as beautiful, I love your smile, you have beautiful eyes and your inner beauty shines through. I'm truly shocked to hear you say this!   

Kelly doesn't this just show you that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you are a lovely person, please don't judge yourself by your looks - we don't judge  you that way, we just want you as well as you possibly can be 

[kitkatz]

What she said! 

[MandaMe1986]

I have been off of prednisone for almost 6 months and I am just now starting to lose all that stuff. The round face is still very much noticeable.  Prednisone is a very evil drug.  And truthfully can have much worse side effects. Just hang in there it dose get better with time.

If it helps any, most of us know what its like   

So we can be chubby faced, mean ladys who eat everything in site together 

[Wenchie58]

Kell.
  Mine started to diminish at 10.  Not gone, but going away.  I just got reduced
to 7.5..I'll let you know what happens.

[kellyt]

Thank you.

I was on Prednisone early on when I was diagnosed for about 1 year, but I can't seem to remember when face went back to "normal".  I didn't have a skinny face before surgery, but I can't stand to look at my self in the mirror these days.  It totally sucks that a transplant can make you feel so good (physically), but that you have to go this this horrible phase of feeling really bad about your self (physically) due to the Prednisone.  I can't wait to be off of it!

Maybe I haven't totally gotten out of the "mean"/"emotional" phase.  Apparently, I'm still emotional...

Thanks again.   

[kidney4traci]

Sorry sweetie.  Not looking forward to that part myself...

[Wenchie58]

Kelly.

    I still have the moody, emotional stuff....and by the time I get over the prednisone stuff..should be about time to hit menopause!  Ahhhhhh life....at least we are here to live it, good with the bad!

Just remember.....the face will pass....but we want to do or take whatever we need to to make sure
that our new kidneys stick around for a good long time!!

[G-Ma]

what rose, wenchie and everyone else said...monrein and wenchie you are both gorgeous.

[Razman]

Challenge after challenge, I tell ya.  You sound so nice that frankly, other than yourself of course, I bet no one cares how you look as long as you're feeling healthy and strong.

  When we first met (and every time after) I have never noticed anything out of the ordinary. In fact I think that your husband is very lucky to have such a beautiful wife.  Even when I've dropped by the center when you are on dialysis you still look great.  Its the smiles and friendship that are much more important.  You are a great inspiration and hope that others will take your advise.

[monrein]

   Thanks Dave  And everyone else too.   

[kitkatz]

So we can be chubby faced, mean ladys who eat everything in site together 

I am not on prednisone and I am one of these already! 

[Wattle]

Kit took the words right out of my mouth!!

I have chubby cheeks and have been told I am moody ( although I strongly disagree) and I have never been on Prednisone! Some of us are just born "lucky".   

Being on PD has killed any self esteem I was clinging too, so I fully understand you Kelly. I might have to take down all mirrors when I finally get a transplant.  Or I could start wearing REALLY big eighties hair and that would make my face look smaller. 

[Hilrose]

Kelly, I feel the same too, I'm on 7.5 alternate days, and I'm hoping to come of them soon, I will keep you posted.

One love
H

[kellyt]

We'll get through this together, Hilrose!   

Wattle, I already HAVE big 80's hair!       Although, the Prograf is doing a fine job at thinning it out.      (as well as me pulling it out like this little avatar).

I'm still gratefull for my kidney!         But it was my New Year's resolution to try to find something to complain about every day.   

[MandaMe1986]

  But it was my New Year's resolution to try to find something to complain about every day.   

Now that might be a New Year's resolution I might be able to keep

[kellyt]

I've stuck with it for 32 days!   

[paris]

Kelly, I like that resolution!  One year my resolution was to eat more doughnuts!  Just trying to keep it real!

[thegrammalady]

prednisone is a nasty drug. and it's not just used for kidney patients. i've used it on and off for years for asthma. even though i didn't like the effects, i've always been grateful once i start wheezing i can go for months. i know the prednisone is keeping me breathing. but then, according to my youngest daughter, i'm ignoring the 800 pound blue gorilla in the corner. sorry bekah it's not the gorilla that's the problem its the elephant sitting on my chest.

the last new years resolution i made was to never make another new years resolution. so far so good. however, doughnuts........now that just might be worth...................ah well, maybe not.

[MandaMe1986]

thegrammalady 800 lb gorilla?  How fun

And yeah I have been taking prednisone for 8 years - a the year I was pregnate and a few months after that.  That drug is the 

[thegrammalady]

thegrammalady 800 lb gorilla?  How funAnd yeah I have been taking prednisone for 8 years - a the year I was pregnate and a few months after that.  That drug is the 

yes, and i've been told i make mountains into molehills. but as long as the gorilla cleans up his own mess i just ignore him, after all there isn't much that can be done about him so there's no point in obsessing over him.