Prednisolone (Corticosteroid): Long term side effects

I feel your pain on many levels. I’m 68. I’ve had Crohn’s for about 30 years. I’ve been on prednisone many times over these years. Recently diagnosed and successfully treated for anal cancer. The treatment for anal cancer is pretty brutal, and left me with 4 spinal fractures due to radiation. I’m sure the steroid use didn’t help. I’m dealing with the fractures , but my skin has grown increasingly fragile, especially on my forearms. If I brush up against something, I’ll bruise (those nasty purpura bruising). I’ve been told there’s really nothing to do for this - it’s steroid induced thinning of the skin. But - after a lot of researching, I’ve found that applying hyaluronic acid solution a couple times a day is actually helping. My skin feels less friable and is not bruising as easily. I hope this helps!

@berhs
Thank you for the research on hyaluronic acid. My skin dried out and crinkled after taking prednisone for a year. I was shocked at how fast my Skin aged in 1 year. Thought it was just my age because doctor’s usually answer with concerns, “that happens when you are over 70”. I’m 75 and have tried to stay in shape and very disheartening when i am aging right before my eyes. Thanks again, i am going to order some

God - I wish I could help more with your question! My Mom was on 10 mg of prednisone for years. She had Giant Cell Arteritis and Temporal Arteritis, and the only treatment was steroids. It was such a struggle to deal with. She tried for years to wean off, but anything less than 10 mg made her terribly ill.
Have you had a bone scan? If not, try to get one. Then at least you’ll know what shape your bones are in. If you’re osteoporotic, they’ll want to put you on medication to at least slow the loss of bone down. And are you on oral meds or insulin for the diabetes? I know that if the diabetes isn’t too severe, you may be able to gain a lot of control with your diet.

@vgen You bet! Prednisone is such an evil drug! Don’t let your docs gaslight you on this. Sure, you’ll have issues with your skin at 75, but you and I both know the difference thats caused by the prednisone. side note - I always have to snicker at the look on docs faces when they try to put me on prednisone for something and I say NO. They have to really prove to me that there’s no other choice before I’ll take it - even a steroid burst.

@berhs
Agree about the negative reactions to Prednisone which do make daily life challenging but the drug works! On Prednisone for several years until finally able to control autoimmune disease, then at that point I chose to ween myself off instead of maintenance dose. Yes, drs disagreed but they could not produce a viable argument for me to continue using, which by the way I did well without.
Yes…anyone using Prednisone for extended period of time should get a bone scan as there is a great drug to help repair damage caused by the Prednisone called FORTEO which you administer with pen needle and a RX from dr.
Wish you well.

@berhs Having just lightly rubbed my arm against a door way this morning, causing a huge purple blotch, I identify with you! (I am on low dose prednisone for my OMG) Can you be more specific on the solution you put on your arms? Is there a brand or do you find it on Amazon?

@sunshine67 any side effects from Forteo?

I have been on prednisone probably longer than any other human alive. I started when I was a teenager with JRA back in 1971 as I was allergic to aspirin and there were not many treatments. I was off it a number of years but have been on it for over 30 years now. I have had bad side effects from many biologics over the years so prednisone has been the only stable option for me. I had lung cancer 13 years ago and had to stop all other meds. I have weaned down to a very small dose and my RA is well controlled with xeljanz and methotrexate. But a bone density scan with added vertebral fracture assessment back 10 years ago showed loss of bone density and 3 spinal fractures. I am on prolia now with good success. But damage remains - I had one hip replaced last fall (necrosis and bone on bone) and am trying to get the other done ASAP. I have developed anemia and am having a bone marrow biopsy next week.

@lucyvt Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! You’ve been on prednisone for 30 years?! That is hard to imagine! How well did your body tolerate it? Did you do anything special to keep the daily side effects away. I’m thinking of cataracts, sleepless nights, spontaneous fractures or weight gain. I shouldn’t be asking all these questions, I should just be welcoming you to Mayo Clinic Connect! We have a lively group so I’m sure you will fit in!

@becsbuddy Hello Becky. Thanks for the reply. I have experienced all the issues that you mentioned - the weight gain is horrible - but since I kept failing on so many others and was restricted by other issues, I did not have much in the way of alternatives. I did not develop cataracts until recently and only in one eye. That eye had a macular hole and the dr told me the surgery to repair it can trigger exacerbation of cataracts. So, two eye surgeries on one year was a bit much! I am glad my prednisone dosage is very low now and hope to keep it that way.

Cindy