Prednisone and Teens?

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Prednisone and Teens?
7
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 10:10pm

We just got back from the dr. and dd15 has some major things going on - her tonsils are so large they are blocking her airway and her sinuses (she had a cat scan) are so messed up it would take several surgeries to fix them.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 10:28pm

When DS had his tonsils and adenoids removed, he was only four, and no other treatment was offered -- they just scheduled the surgery. So, I'm sorry to say, I don't have any experience with Prednisone.

It seems logical to think that a one week prescription won't cause your DD to gain enough weight to even notice, but then again ... I guess with steroids, anything is possible.

The surgery sounds tough. Hopefully someone will have some btdt experience for you. I had the same sick feeling in my stomach when I watched DS being wheeled away for his surgery way back when. I remember it well -- no fun at all.

{{{Hugs}}}

 

 

 

Avatar for kel7col4
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 01-31-2007 - 10:47pm

I took prednisone for 10 days in my mid-20's for hives. I didn't have any issues with weight gain or puffiness, but I did have major major mood swings. I did eat EVERYTHING in site, but I don't recall any significant weight change....

DS was on prednisone for his asthma when he was like 3 haha so I can't really help with how it changed him.

My mom took it after her deviated septum surgery and she was like me on it - a bear to be around.

All in all - the moodiness was the worst for me!

Good luck!




Avatar for heartsandroses2002
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Thu, 02-01-2007 - 9:19am

The short course of prednisone your DR is recommending will likely NOT cause any of those horrible side effects. She may, after more than a few days, have a zooming effect, like she is supergirl and may have trouble getting a restful night of sleep. However, this is the usual method that most DR's treating a serious acute chronic case of sinusitis would use.

When steriods are used long term, they present other issues and I really don't think you have anything to worry about in this case.

As an asthmatic my symptoms were very severe and I was on prednisone constantly when I was a very young kid and teen. I was a skinny bean,, never got bloated, etc. As an adult, I have zero tolerance for prednisone - probably because of the heavy use as a child. I instantly become cranky, can't sleep and just feel like crap from it. The thing is, sometimes it's necessary and we just suffer through it. I can only tolerate about 5 days now. But I remember once when I was about 24 I was on it for 2 months and was fine.

I hope your dd is feeling better really soon! It sounds like you have a good DR, since he wants to avoid surgery.

Avatar for suzyk2118
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-30-1997
Thu, 02-01-2007 - 12:35pm

When it's limited length dosage, I seriously doubt there'd be issues. DS had to take it for 5 days when he had a bad rash a few years ago (at about 11) and had no effects at all. I've had to take it a couple of times in a dospak and had no side effects either. My mom has been on prednisone for over 20 years (seriously) and her face is puffy, but she hasn't really gained body weight from it, but with her condition(s), she will be on it for life and just figures it's better than the alternative.

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-14-2000
Thu, 02-01-2007 - 12:58pm
I was on prednisone for years for ulcerative colitis before I had surgery.
Pam
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-17-2005
Thu, 02-01-2007 - 1:48pm

Thank you all!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-14-2006
Fri, 02-02-2007 - 10:00am
My son and also my husband have been on Prednisone for a short period of time. As I understand it the weight gain is only if it is long term use, and also the puffy face. For a week or two that should not occur. My son was always active and when he was on the prednisone I did notice he was even a little more hyper, but then he was 6 at the time. My husband did not really have any of the side effects. Although it can raise the blood sugar level some, since when doing a blood test on my husband they thought he was borderline diabetic, but it was the prednisone. A friend took it, for shingles, and she actually liked the extra energy she had, up at 5 in the morning making meat loaf for supper before she went to work LOL. As it was explained to me, the body produces prednisone naturally, so when taking the medication, the body produces less, and thus the need to taper off when stopping the medication, allowing the body to start producing it again, and not triggering a drastic drop in the amount in the body. Hugs to your daughter, I am sure she is not looking forward to the surgeries and is a little anxious about it. Good luck.