Asthma and steroids

Are you clearing your lungs with airway clearance? That will help the mucus buildup from bronchiectasis and MAC.

Lisa,
Initially I was treated for asthma; I had to use the rescue inhalers, etc.
Prednisone was introduced for Asthma, but i was diagnosed with COP (cognitive Organized Pneumonia),.The prednisone became necessary to control the white cells and granular modulus forming on my lower lobes of my lungs. 10 MGs was my standard for the past seven years; the result was the osteoporosis.
In the las month I have been weaned from 10 to 8, Continuing blood tests have been necessary to watch the CRP (inflammatory levels). I have had signifying spikes up to 40 on the CRP with corresponding dosing of prednisone.
In some emergency situations (internal bleeding) the dosage went to 40MG.
I was on Reclast for four years, and now on Prolia.
My hope is that I can continue to reduce teg level of prednisone.
(I have three compression fractures of my vertebrae).
Best,

John

@km6 Hello, there is a fairly new protocol for treatment of asthma that uses a drug originally approved for COPD. It is twice daily use of Symbicort or its generic equivalent. It was life changing for me, relieving the wheezing and shortness of breath with 2 puffs twice a day. Depending on your insurance it may require prior approval, and your copay may be higher. It has reduced my need for prednisone treatment from 8-10 times per year to only during serious respiratory illness.
Maybe you can ask your doctor about it.

Hi, @km6 - I used to have to use prednisone for 5 days about 4 times per year when I'd get into a streak of bad coughing spasms I could not break. Coughing is my major asthma symptom. This especially happened when I'd travel, perhaps because of exposure to different allergens. Not sure.

I did not like being on prednisone, as I only slept about 4 hours nightly while on it, and my husband thought it blocked my filter on things I'd say. So, needless to say, he was not a fan of my taking prednisone.

I did find some relief from taking prednisone when I started on a biologic, mepolizumab (Nucala). I don't believe I've needed prednisone for about 1.5 years, which is different for me.

Other Mayo Clinic Connect members who may have some thoughts on needing prednisone include @wsbme74 @liz440 @sweethighland @dstella @bdr @otter2154 @spudmato @wsbme74.

How often do you find you need to take prednisone, km6? Do you notice significant side effects when you are on it?

For several years, I've only needed prednisone two or three times a year, which would be the taper dosage. For the last few months, I've been struggling and needed it for eight weeks straight. I believe the next thing for me is a bronchoscopy. I'm a little overwhelmed right now with all of this.
They have tried me with a few of the biologic's, and we didn't see any difference. The pulmonologist is considering trying a different one.

Hi, @km6 - I used to have to use prednisone for 5 days about 4 times per year when I'd get into a streak of bad coughing spasms I could not break. Coughing is my major asthma symptom. This especially happened when I'd travel, perhaps because of exposure to different allergens. Not sure.

I did not like being on prednisone, as I only slept about 4 hours nightly while on it, and my husband thought it blocked my filter on things I'd say. So, needless to say, he was not a fan of my taking prednisone.

I did find some relief from taking prednisone when I started on a biologic, mepolizumab (Nucala). I don't believe I've needed prednisone for about 1.5 years, which is different for me.

Other Mayo Clinic Connect members who may have some thoughts on needing prednisone include @wsbme74 @liz440 @sweethighland @dstella @bdr @otter2154 @spudmato @wsbme74.

How often do you find you need to take prednisone, km6? Do you notice significant side effects when you are on it?