Steroid tablets are given for recovery from certain ailments.Why must they be stopped in gradual stages ?

Question

I had undergone Tracheostomy & IVIG injections for Myasthenia Gravis Crisis.I have recovered now. Presently Prednisolone 30mg /day is being given orally to me.The Neuro is reducing the dose in successive monthly stages.
My appetite, sleep & metabolism have improved substantially . But I fear that when Steroids are stopped, I may lapse into earlier position. Will it be so ?
What are the risks & adverse side effects of taking Steroids ?
I request enlightenment from a knowledgeable Doctor on this aspect, thanx in advance.

Answer 1

Prednisolone, like all steroids, is given to suppress your immune system. It is not as potent as compared to dexamethasone but it is effective. What exogenous steroids ie steroids that are not taken in, is that the inhibit the production of this hormone in the pituitary gland called ACTH or adrenocorticotrophic hormone. This hormone regulates the production of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids from the adrenal cortex. Those are your body's natural steroids. Mineralocorticoids ie aldosterone is required for sodium and water retention in the kidneys, without which the body's fluid volume cannot be controlled. Glucocorticoids such as cortisol is required for various metabolic functions to raise blood sugar levels and has the ability to regulate your immune system.

When steriods are stopped abruptly, the pituitary gland is still inhibited and this causes adrenal insufficiency. Therefore your body cannot release its own cortisol and aldosterone. This will reduce your endogenouse immunosuppression and will put you in a worse off position.

Risk of steriods are very varied. With prednisolone, it is not that potent and is therefore okay at low doses. Risks involves Cushing like syndrome which basically the redistribution of fats into the face (moon face) and into the back (buffalo humb). Other risks include loss of muscle mass, fluid retendtion, hypertension, congestive heart failure, acne, bacterial infections, peptic ulcer disease and gi bleading and osteoporosis.

Answer 2

I am not a dog expert, but I am a molecular biologist who loves dogs, so here is my take on the ingredients you are giving your dog. Most of the ingredient list is made of up fillers, herbals, colorings, amino acids "enhancers", stabilizers and vasodilators (which increase fluid retention). There is limited steroidal activity by the sterols, but it is a plant derived steroid we consume all the time in foods and is more similar to cholesterol than anything else due to the ring structure, the specific bonding sites mentioned indicated by the number in front of the compound name render what would have been an active ingredient inert (cholesterol forms steroidal hormones eventually, but this will not increase the production in ANY WAY). As greekman stated, a REAL steroid DOES produce a reduction in sperm count due to a decreased testicular mass. These are KNOWN effects of steroids that CAN NOT be avoided. Your dog would also have a decrease in total bone density (my area of research by the way). If he doesn't have the side effects, he doesn't have the effects either.. because they took some known ingredients and rendered them inactive by altering their bonding structure (they are now isomers of the original compound, indicated by the number followed by the name). Don't take "research" advice someone someone trying to sell you the product. Also, products made in other countries do not have the same regulatory processes that ours does, these fall under a supplement and would be sold over the counter and therefor their claims would not have to be proven.

Answer 3

Steroids are a naturally occuring substance in your body. When you take steroids over a prolonged period of time your body has an alternate source and stops producing it naturally to the same degree that it would if you were not taking the supplemental dosage. If you stopped taking it all of a sudden, your body would have scaled back its own production and you would find yourself with artificially lower levels of steriods in your body. You would feel exhausted and without energy, lethargic. If you taper off your dosage, you allow your body to resume production of its own natural steroids/hormones gradually and it's not as much of a shock to the system.

Answer 4

SIDE EFFECTS

Fluid and Electrolyte Disturbances


Sodium retention
Fluid retention
Congestive heart failure in susceptible patients
Potassium loss
Hypokalemic alkalosis
Hypertension

Musculoskeletal


Muscle weakness
Steroid myopathy
Loss of muscle mass
Osteoporosis
Vertebral compression fractures
Aseptic necrosis of femoral and humeral heads
Pathologic fracture of long bones

Gastrointestinal


Peptic ulcer with possible perforation and hemorrhage
Pancreatitis
Abdominal distention
Ulcerative esophagitis

Dermatologic


Impaired wound healing
Thin fragile skin
Petechiae and ecchymoses
Facial erythema
Increased sweating
May suppress reactions to skin tests

Neurological

Convulsions
Increased intracranial pressure with papilledema (pseudotumor cerebri) usually after treatment
Vertigo
Headache

Endocrine


Menstrual irregularities
Development of Cushingoid state
Suppression of growth in children
Secondary adrenocortical and pituitary unresponsiveness, particularly in times of stress, as in trauma, surgery, or illness
Decreased carbohydrate tolerance
Manifestations of latent diabetes mellitus
Increased requirements for insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents in diabetics

Ophthalmic


Posterior subcapsular cataracts
Increased intraocular pressure
Glaucoma
Exophthalmos

Metabolic


Negative nitrogen balance due to protein catabolism



other reasons has been discribed by others

hope u got it

Answer 5

The reason you cannot abruptly stop taking Perdnisolone is this:
while you are on this medication the adrenal glands stop producing adrenalin and in order for them to start producing it again you need to gradually taper off the dosage.
One of the side effects of this medication is that your body tends to retain more water, so it is best to be on a very low sodium diet.
Usually, a patient is weaned off the steroids without any relapses in their previous condition. I am not an MD but have a lot of experience taking care of my mother who was on Prednisolone on and off for years.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

DON'T STOP ABRUPTLY THE STEROID MEDICATION !!!
IT'S DANGEROUS...
AND IN STRESS CONDITION..., IT'S FATAL....
DUE TO ADREANAL INSUFFICIENCY.
but the hormone which deficient isnot adrenaline,but Glucocorticoids., which is needed for normal artierial pressure ( actually it supoort the adrenaline action on blood vessels..).
And prepare the body in coping with stress (it level is highest in the early morning to make our body to be able to cope with stress).
If u stop abruptly the steroids,the adrenal glands can't produce at once to biologically reaquire level,so your body can't handle any stress ( psycological, physical,physiological).
the most dangerous is circulatory collapse ( inadequate circulation=shock).

Answer 8

It is reduced in gradual stages to prevent Adrenal Failure.

Answer 9

well i'm no doctor but the side effects are that they are habit forming and risks of taking them is that they damage your spleen or kidney or something like that so yeah you'll need to stop taking them if the doctor says so!

Answer 10

WITHDRAWL