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From: Gary.Bewell@f424.n104.z1.fidonet.org (Gary Bewell)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Steroid Treatment
Message-ID: <18484@bunker.isc-br.com>
Date: 3 Apr 91 21:12:33 GMT
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On 17 Feb 91, you wrote to All

 PF> I have a friend in the hospital right now being treated for
 PF> Lupus.  They are giving her 500mg of Prednisone per day for
 PF> three days to try and control it. Her lungs are presently
 PF> functioning at 65% capacity.

 PF> She is afraid of loosing her hair and gaining weight.

Hi Patricia,

Personally I would use prednisone if I was having breathing
problems caused by inflammation.

I used it twice for retrobulbar optic neuritis (the blindness that
I mentioned in the previous message).  I can't remember how much I
took it was quite a lot.  I gradually increased the dosage,
maintained the optimum amount, then gradually decreased the
amount.  This was done over a month.  I then went for a second
round for another month.  If I'd known the side-effects, I wouldn't
have convinced my eye specialist to give me another prescription
but I was young and naive.  My Commanding Officer was a doctor.
When he heard I was on prednisone, he lectured me for 20 minutes
about the side-effects and the importance of gradually coming off
the drug. I think it boiled down to stopping while on high dosages
is lethal.  He also told me to ask questions before using a drug
and to look up drugs in the CPS (Compendium of Pharmaceuticals and
Specialities).  The CPS may be only a Canadian book.

Prednisone is recommended in high doses for short-term treatment of
inflammations.  Long term use is not recommended due to the
side-effects.

I did retain water while on it.  My face did get puffy
(moon-faced).  My sister has also used it (MS too).  Her first use
was just before she got married.  She was terrified that she
wouldn't be able to get into her wedding dress due to the water
retention. She has developed osteoporosis which she feels is
attributed to using prednisone too often.

The best thing would be to have ask her doctor or one of the
nurses.  They should have a pharmacetical book.

     Gary

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