I’m on day 3 of 12 taking Prednisone, with gradually decreasing doses.
I’ve taken this drug several times in the last 10 years. The first time the gasses? from the drug came up and eventually made my esophagus bleed. I’m sure that was because I wasn’t following directions and eating with the pill.
I’ve taken it once or twice after that. The last time I took it, I wound up over eating big time to compensate for that agada feeling i get for up to 4 -6 hours after taking as little as one pill.
My question is, is there a perfect food to take with Prednisone to make it not keep repeating in my throat for hours? I’ve taken Tums to soften the blow, but, honestly they just don’t work well. Better than nothing, but just not getting the job done.
I’ve eaten Nutri-grain bars with breakfast, taco bell, pizza, Wendys, chicken and dumplings, spaghetti and none of that was good for this pill. Ya, the food is crap, I feel like crap. I havn’t felt well enough to shop or cook. I’m feeling better and could manage a trip to the store now.
I’ll take any suggestions, even if you tell me to eat tripe or some crap, just what can I eat for next 9 days to make this stop? Any food or medicine suggestions are appreciated. Was thinking about Gaviscon liquid.
mrAru keeps having to take it for poison ivy reactions, and his recommendation is bread, just plain. or crackers, but he prefers bread. Avoid dairy as well…no milk to wash it down with=)
All systemic steroids whether IV or by mouth have the potential to affect your stomach. Non steroid anti inflammatories (NSAIDS)will too. This is because while they are reducing your bodies imflammatory response they are also reducing your bodies ability to secrete the protective coating for your stomach. See Cox inhibitors
Cox 1 enzymes affect mostly the platelets, stomach and kidney.
Cox 2 enzymes affect kidney, brain, testicles and tracheal epithelia and is responsible for the biosynthesis of inflammatory prostaglandins (read pain causing agents)
This is why the cox 2 inhibitors vioxx, celebrex, bextra, etc seemed like such a godsend because they target the pain causing cox 2 enzymes while sparing the stomach protecting cox 1 enzymes.
But back to your question. There is no one food that is better than others but avoid things known to cause stomach pain while taking steroids. The insatiable appetite is a direct result of the steroids which also effects emotions causing anxiety, irrititability, insomnia, depression and panic attacks to name a few.
It sounds like you have an ulcer, esophagitis, gastritis, GERD or similar and you need to be taking another medication for your stomach like prevacid or prilosec or nexxium. Call your doctor and tell them about your symptoms and they should be able to call a prescription in for you or provide office samples if finances are tight. Don’t try to ignore it because it will only get worse. Over the counter remedies may not work.
In the future if you find you are going to need to take steroids again make sure you get something for your stomach at the same time you get the steroids. Good luck.
I was told to take milk with mine. A whole glass. I took very high doses for about a year and never had any acid problems. I had all the other typical steroid issues tho.
Prednisone sucks to take but it does work really well for certain things.
I would take Prednisone once in a while when my asthma would not improve after taking my albuterol inhaler. A piece of bread or toast and a glass of something sweet like soda or tea usually did the trick.
I’m on Day 2 of 5, being given it & Allegra to counteract an allergic reaction which caused my uvula to swell. I haven’t noticed any stomach/food problems at all.
I’ll let you know if that changes, however. I only take 2 a day along with one Allegra.
I’ll agree with tanookie that milk is the best food to take with prednisone.
If my stomach is overly sensitive, I’ll eat a banana with a glass of milk and then take the prednisone.
I have Multiple Sclerosis and so I am very familiar with this drug. (I’m still ambulatory and work a full time job so I’m relatively okay). Basically, whenever I have a “flare-up”, they put me on a huge dose for a while and then I get “tapered off” from it.
[ minor nitpick] Milk is good if you’re not having any problems with stomach irritation or reflux. If you are, the fat and proteins in the milk tend to sour and make it worse. Actually some food is better still, like a cracker,a piece of toast or noncitrus fruit.]
If you are already having problems you need to take something for that because it is only going to get worse as long as you are taking the steroids. I say this from the POV of both an RN and person with asthma who has taken prednisone many times. Any advice I may offer is not intended to replace that of your personal physician.
The bottom line is if you are having problems give your doctor a call.