Should I Be Taking Prednisone For A Long Term When I Have SLE, Raynaud's Phenomena, Sjogren's Disease, CREST Syndrome, IBS With Constipation?

Posted on Mon, 3 Sep 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 3 Sep 2018 Answered on

Tue, 17 Oct 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : I have SLE diagnosed in 2001. I also have overlapping populists, raynauds phenomena, Sjogrens, puss w/crest syndrome variable. I also have IBS with constipation. I also have Hashimotos- low thyroid. I say all this to say I have been taking Predisone for 2 and one half months can the long term use of taking the drug be starting yet?

Answered by Dr. Divya Agarwal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

You have been on Prednisone. Are you asking me if the side effects with chronic use are starting now?

Yes, once you have been on steroids for more than 4 weeks, that is the case. I suggest that some steroid-sparing medications like immunosuppressants like hydroxychloroquine may be started along with the current medicines so that the dosage of prednisone.
side effects of prednisone can be reduced by taking the drug in the morning and taking a supplement for calcium and vitamin D.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana