# Advise on coping with large doses of Prednisone indefinitely? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 12, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-on-coping-with-large-doses-of-prednisone-indefinitely/655545 "2013-04-12T21:54:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-on-coping-with-large-doses-of-prednisone-indefinitely/655545/1 "2013-04-12T21:54:41Z")
Have you any advise on coping with large doses of Prednisone indefinitely? I have been diagnosed with BOOP and prescribed 40mb Prednisone indefinitely. So far the only really uncomfortable side affect is it has really messed up my lower bowel. Have you any experience in coping with this? ---
**Author:** ![Noodles\_Fellicini](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e36b37/32.png) [@Noodles\_Fellicini](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noodles_Fellicini)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-on-coping-with-large-doses-of-prednisone-indefinitely/655545/2 "2013-04-12T22:48:20Z")
Exercise. Try not to eat everything that cannot get away. And then exercise some more. I played tennis 14 hours a week and fenced 2 hours a week and still gained 50 pounds in a year. Also, take your calcium as doctor ordered because you don’t want to be fat AND have broken bones. From what I read on Wiki you might only have to be on for six months so hopefully you’ll get to start tapering soon, and remember not to rush your taper. IANAD, etc., and good luck with it! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2013, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-on-coping-with-large-doses-of-prednisone-indefinitely/655545/3 "2013-04-12T23:31:02Z")
Let us know when you feel better so we can all laugh about the acronym for your malady, ok? In the meantime - get well soon! ---
**Author:** ![janeslogin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@janeslogin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janeslogin)\ **Post date:** [April 13, 2013, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-on-coping-with-large-doses-of-prednisone-indefinitely/655545/4 "2013-04-13T19:25:30Z")
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) is a non-infectious pneumonia and just breathing is a strenuous exercise. And thanks ZipperJJ for the well wishing. I may never get “well”. With a bit of luck I might get somewhat better. ---
**Author:** ![PurpleClogs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@PurpleClogs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PurpleClogs)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-on-coping-with-large-doses-of-prednisone-indefinitely/655545/5 "2013-04-14T01:02:53Z")
I’ve been lucky so far and have only needed it for short periods. Lots of water, exercise, and fiber. Be ready for the mood swings too. ---
**Author:** ![C3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/c3/32/3108_2.png) [@C3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C3)\ **Post date:** [April 14, 2013, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/advise-on-coping-with-large-doses-of-prednisone-indefinitely/655545/6 "2013-04-14T01:35:46Z")
I had to take large doses of prednisone for several years - I was diagnosed with lupus at almost-16 and was on prednisone until I was 19 (ramped down gradually over the years). For me, it was important that I took it at the same time every day. I took my meds first thing in the morning and I found that I could really feel the effects of delaying that until later in the day. Other than that, I agree with **Noodles**. Exercise, supreme willpower relating to your diet. Stick to your doctor’s ramping-down advice.