what are these steroid tablets that the doctor gave me?

Question

i have astma and a chest infection, i got antibiotics (i know about those,) but steroids? 8 aday???. im not an athlete. what are they for and what do they do?

Answer 1

Given the terse information provided, the steroids provide 2 basic putative functions:

1. Steroids are a basic anti-inflammatory drug given to tone down the incidence of inflammation associated with infection and allow for infections to clear more rapidly.

2. People with asthma used to and still do to a degree receive prescription drugs containing steroids to help relax the swelling of the aveola associated with bronchial restriction in asthma. These steroids are supposed to counter the allergic swelling response initiated by rogue eosinophils in the lungs that instigate asthma attacks when antagonized by foreign substances.

The doctor probably wants to minimize inflation during the infection given your tendency towards asthma, but I wonder if he's not overprescribing. Steroids have not been conclusively shown to reduce the frequency of asthma or to have a significant effect in decreasing severity of symptoms.

Answer 2

THe tablets you have been given are prednisolone and the drug is produced naturally by your adrenal glands of which you have 2, one on top of each kidney. At times of stress ie like during illness or after surgery your body produces more of the steroid to help you recover quicker. Without the help of your arenal glands you would die. THe dose of 8 tablets daily is perfectly normal and all 8 tabllets should be taken as a single dose once each day. Some doctors get their patients to reduce the dose slowly one tablet at a time in order to allow your adrenal glands to recover after being suppressed by the steriods you have been taking by mouth. Otherwise as mentioned earlier should you with draw the tablet steroid abruptly and should you get say for example run over by a car you would be in big trouble because your adrenal glands would in effect be asleep so to speak. All this depends on how long your course is to be taken. Most doctors do not tend to be very concerned unless you are to take the drug for longer than 6 weeks. Most unwanted and serious side effects only occur if a person has to take steroids for long periods to control the disease from which they suffer. THe most you may feel taking a short course is an increase in appetite and a feeling of increased happiness. The drug will help to calm your inflamed airways and because it has an effect on your immune system and therefore the way your body reacts to irritants it does not want it will help you to keep your airways open.

Answer 3

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 4

These are not the steroids that athletes take. You may be on something like prednisalone. They are extremely effective in clearing up inflammatory conditions. You need to carry a card stating that you are on steroids because they can dampen down your immune system. If you were injured then the effects may be worse and doctors would need to be aware of what you are taking.

You'll take 8 of these tiny pills a day for a while then they will slowly be reduced.

They often cause weight gain...you may find that you become ravenously hungry...try to watch your diet while you are on these.

They are excellent and work very well.

Hope that helps.

Answer 5

Fergi the Great and Lula have both hit the nail on the head, I have had these frequently in the past when breathing has become difficult, usually at the beginning and or during winter (October/November and February) and or in the event of a chest infection.

The will help your recovery no ends, if you're taking eight a day this is probably a short course of about five days, there is no need to reduce them gradually if they have only been taken short term.

As for weight gain, this is usually only when taken over a long period. Try not to depend on them long term as you become to reliant and they have side effects, weight gain and more importantly blood pressure and arthritis.

Answer 6

if it makes you feel better, i'm on them right now. They are probably "prednesone." I also have asthma and i currently have a sinus infection. Steroids are "big guns." I usually get them when antibiotics fail to work. They will have you feeling better in no time. A side effect from steroids is that you will have an enlarged appetite, your body will ache. Hope You Feel Better!!!

Answer 7

.Why not go to Google and look them up and then you can see what side effects etc these tablets might cause. Then if you are not happy with what you find out, Before taking them go back to your GP and ask him to explain to you exactly how will work for you. Steroids ought not to be taken lightly.

I do this will all my medication after I was prescribed the wrong type of morphine whilst in hospital and almost ended up in a psychiatric hospital.

You would not put any food in your mouth without knowing what is was would you? So why no adopt the same set of principles before taking medication.

I hope you get better soon.. Nettie UK lass

Answer 8

Corticosteroids are a mainstay in the treatment of inflammatory respiratory illness. The drug is *probably* Prednisone. You may have been given a "dose pack", where you take a declining number of pills each day over the course of a week.
Prednisone is a "feel good" drug that improves many conditions. Unfortunately, Prednisone has a tremendous number of side effects, many of which are unpleasant. Physicians are normally hesitant to prescribe corticosteroids unless there is a clear and immediate need to do so.

Answer 9

They r necessary for the Asthmama and Chest Infection,
Prolonged case,
U can have a second opinion with another doctor.

Answer 10

There are different types of steroids...you probably have "prednesone" it will help clear your infection