Prednisone

Do any of you have any knowledge of short-term Prednisone use? I have been prescribed Prednisone for a persistent rash on my fingers. The doctor said that it's dishydrosis. He said doctors don't know the cause. I assume it's because I wash my hands so much since I've started caring for my mom; even gloves don't help.

I took Prednisone once for Pneumonia. I developed severe pain in my heel and thought I might have a bone spur or something. I only took the Prednisone for one day, as I became afraid of the stuff - the heel pain stopped when the Prednisone wore off.

I read all I could about Prednisone on the internet and didn't like what I read. I am hesitating to take the stuff, but maybe I'm just being unnecessarily paranoid about it. I'm only supposed to take it for about a week, tapering off during that time.

Do any of you have any experience with this drug? Any comments? I need Maria!

As soon as possible change to topic treatment, which is also very efficient. Talk to your doctor about the possibility. I would really limit the oral treatment to very serious conditions, or to an initial approach.

Corticoids when applied locally have little systemic effects before a certain number of days, depending on their concentration. We usually feel it's safe to use it as creams or lotions for a week, maybe a bit more. There are many different concentrations in the different prescribed drugs, but you shouldn't be so scared when using it for short periods (short being considered less than one month in my opinion).

The side effects are many, but usually the positive side of the drug is so important that we take the risk. Unfortunately, for skin problems, this is the most efficient drug we know. We often joke with dermatologists saying that no matter how long it takes and how difficult it is sometimes to make the diagnosis in their patients, the treatment is always the same, so they might as well spare themselves all the trouble - which is, of course, not possible!!


I found some sites for you, that you could consult later. The use of gloves may also be a factor for you.

Definition:
Dyshidrotic eczema is a condition in which small blisters that cause intense itching develop on the hands and feet.

Alternative Names:
Dyshidrosis; Pompholyx

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
The cause of dyshidrotic eczema is not known, but it occasionally appears to be seasonal. Small fluid filled blisters called vesicles appear on the hands and feet. They are most common along the edges of the fingers, toes, palms and soles. The vesicles produce intense itching. Scratching leads to skin changes with thickening. Scratching may also lead to secondary infections.


Dishydrosis (http://www.medhelp.org/HealthTopics/Dyshidrosis.html)

Thanks, Maria. I appreciate it.

The doctor gave a cream to use also. I started using it. I think I'll stick with the cream and only use the Prednisone if it gets really bad again. I don't like what I've read about Prednisone, so I don't want to take it unless it's really necessary and nothing else works for me.

The cream is fluocinonide. It's the generic equivalent of Lidex cream. I'd never heard of either before. I'll see if it works before using any of those pills. Maybe I won't need them.

You can try it, the cream is also a corticoid, so it should have good effect, and if it's not enough, then you can take the oral treatment, but not once in a while, if you start, you have to take it the way the doctor prescribed it, because corticoids can not be taken intermitently.

Once you start them, you interrupt or change your own body production of similar substances, and that's why when we stop an oral treatment with glucocorticoids (or intravenous) we always stop it slowly, if the treatment was important, because you have to allow your body to go back to producing those substances.

I'm not sure I was clear! If not, I'll try again! :)

Ooohh, yikes. I don't need to be any more "mental" lol. I've been moody enough lately. I think I'll pass, unless it gets extremely bad again.

Thanks for your posts:)

AHHH HELL YEAH, I LUUUUUUUUUUUUUV Prednisone!!! I took the brand name "Medrol" that my doctor prescribed me 3 weeks ago! I took it for my bulging disk (at least that's what the doctor thinks it is, if not, a pulled muscle) and after the first day I felt like a KING!!! :D

The pain had gone away, I could move, and felt like I could lift a ton of weight! I also ate (and still am) like a horse and drank water like a f**kin' fish around the clock! Peachy couldn't keep any food or stuff in the kitchen! I also gained several pounds and putting some nice quality size on!!!

I didn't have any real side effects except that my tummy would hurt if I waited too long between doses and my hands were getting real dry. Other than that, the medicine made me feel great!!! I went for a check up yesterday and asked the doc for more and he said, "Naw, you don't need it, you're healing pretty good!" I just looked at him like this :( .

Good stuff!

Lol, Joe. I certainly don't need a bigger appetite and dry hands are what helped contribute to what I'm being prescribed prednisone for in the first place, so I don't want drier hands.

The topical cream is working really well. My fingers look like normal fingers again. If the rash gets really bad again, I'll take the Prednisone but, dang, I don't need to be eating any more than I already do:D

Jeremy and I lift weights several times a week. I wonder how much more weight I could lift if I took the pills........hmmm.

The pharmacist said that the pills could interfere with my sleep cycle. I already have terminal insomnia. Oh well........

LOL!!!:D

Awww, come on. . . take the pills! Hehehe. . . they'll make a man out of ya'!!! J/K!!! :D

That's funny how you were prescribed the med for your rashy fingers. I had the opposite effect. I guess the med just attacks whatever is harming your body the most. Be careful and take it easy. :)