Question about steroids post op

This is the 3rd time post op, which is almost 5 months, that I have had bronchitis. The last time was this past Wednesday. It was suggested or offered as an idea that maybe I should try taking oral Prednisone. Well after taking it for 18 months straight, in 2005, and gaining over 125 lbs, I am a little apprehensive about taking it.

I know the benefits as far as my breathing and my lung functions will be better, and I am sure the wheezing will stop but I am so worried about the effects of weight gain and the fact that Prednisone will and usually does make someone want to eat everything that isn't nailed down. To me, that just isn't an option. I haven't worked this hard, to lose 120 lbs in 4 1/2 months to gain weight just from taking a pill.

So I guess what I am asking is.... what are ya'lls personal experiences with this and when does the benefits of taking this med outway the negative. Just thought I'd get everyone's opinion as I wait for my surgeons office to call me back and while I wait for my follow up appointment today at 3:30. Thanks to anyone who can help me figure this out!

I took Prednisone for 3 days due to dental issues.I too was scared to take it and didn't take it for the full 10 days.

How about Singular? It treats asthma and allergies so I wonder if it would help with breathing wheezing issues.

Glad to know that I am not the only one scared of that medicine. I actually call it the schizo drug because it creates multiple personalities in a person. I used to take Singulair pre op but haven't been on it since surgery. Maybe I should call my pulmonologist and see what he says.

Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate it!

Theresa,

I have taken it several times (three, to be exact) since surgery.  Once was for bronchitis and the other two times were for poison ivy (which I am highly allergic to and swell badly).  I did take the full course each time.  I was only on one "blister" pak each time and did pretty well.  I personally found that I was not overly hungry and wanting to eat everything in site until AFTER I was finished with the meds.  By that time I felt better and was able to occupy my brain with other things and not eat too much.

My personal opinion on this, especially knowing your other health problems, would be to go ahead and take it.  You have been given a tool and are still so early out that even if you did gain a few pounds you will be able to lose them again in no time.  I would feel diferently and have to think on it if they wanted you to be on them for more than one round.

As with everything, contact Commonwealth and see what they say.  They are the real authority in these issues. 

Hope you are feeling 100% soon.  It stinks to be feeling bad...especially for so long.

Tammy, thanks for writing.

I know that the steroids would help my breathing but I am thinking that if I took them and gained a few pounds that I may end up thinking of myself as a failure to the RNY surgery. Silly, I know. It wasn't mentioned as to how many rounds they were wanting me to take, because as soon as they mentioned steroids, I was like "NOOOO way". Maybe not the wisest choice but didn't want to take a chance and jeopardize my weight loss if there were other options that I could do. I did fail to mention that I was prescribed a steroid inhaler, which isn't like oral steroids so maybe that will help as well.

I had previously contacted Jeannine about this. I seem to contact her about every little thing. But after your message, I re-called her office and spoke with Flo. She suggested waiting for just a little bit more and if no return call then to go to St Mary's ER. So I left another message on the voice mail but I am sure she will call me back.

Thanks for your opinions and suggestions. I truly take into consideration all that everyone has to say. And thanks for the well wishes! They mean alot!

First and foremost, contact Commonwealth in conjunction with your doc's office to discuss this with them. There are other options available to us medication wise for Bronchitis (speaking for myself personally I've been there several times as I get Bronchitis just about 3-4 times per year).

Next, I personally dealt with a severe double ear infection that was treated too late and woke with sudden hearing loss and as a result I went to the VA ENT and the ONLY medication that can bring back sudden hearing loss as explained by my doc there IS Prednisone.

For me, I made no bones about saying YES to taking the steroids in a high dosage because it enabled me to get my hearing back. That being said, I was on it for several weeks and gained nearly 30 lb from it and in just the first couple of weeks. It redistributes itself into fat cells and its not peachy.

Regardless of that I have my hearing back and identified a couple underlying issues. I have absolutely no regrets and given the cir****tances you can imagine the choice was easy. Prednisone is known to cause weight gain and it effects each person differently. So, the benefit of returned hearing was well worth the 30 lb I put on 100%!!!!

My advice: pursue other options, be your own advocate and express your willingness to try something different, converse with CS's and let us know how it goes.

Hi Kat. Thanks for writing. I have contacted Jeannine, and just left her another message on her voice mail as Flo said she is with patients. As I mentioned to Tammy, I forgot to mention that they gave me a steroidal inhaler to use so maybe that will help. I just remember the hell that I went through when I was on steroids before. Although it was for 18 months straight, I did gain over 120 lbs. I am on an antibiotic, the Z pack, but feel that I should be feeling much better than I am since I only have 1 more day of it.

It is obvious that you made the right decision for you. I guess I just want to make sure I have exhausted all options for me before I risk gaining weight, so soon after my surgery. Or I wonder if like Tammy said, being so soon out, gaining weight now, it would be easier to lose.

I have my follow up appointment this afternoon or I will be told to go to the ER. Either way, I am waiting for Jeannine to call me back. But thanks for writing. I truly do appreciate everyone's advice.

Hey sweetie! I don't have an answer because I never had to be on them. I am sure Jeanine will call you back soon. We really keep her busy I tell ya. I hope you are feeling better soon. Sorry you are so sick!

Hey ladybug! I talked to Jeannine, who instructed me to go to the ER again so they could take another chest xray, and do blood work. I did... It is still border line pneumonia but I did what she said and didn't fight the steroids. I was given to injections of what he said was mega doses and oddly enough... With that and the 3 double dose breathing treatments, I was feeling better within a few hours. I feel 100% better than what I did this morning. And I haven't eaten anything out of the ordinary. Maybe the steroids making me eat will definitely help me finish conquering my fear of food. I am positive that I am making the right choices so that's all I can do! Thanks for thining about me. Miss chattin with ya!

You may want to ask your dr if a shot of the steroids is possible. Some drs dont like to give them. I know my regular nurse prac wont give them  but another one in the office will. They help me within a day. They seem to help while the antibiotics are doing their job. Z pack works great for my bronchitis. Gettin to be that time of year for it. Hope I can avoid it. Im going thru steroid epidural shots and they seem to be less likely to cause the crazy effect and hunger doesnt last as long.
Feel better!
Shannon