Prednisone is usually prescribed for a period of time to reduce the inflammation and then you taper off and quit. Most people aren't prescribed the drug for occasional use, as you suggest. What most pulmonologists want to do is to get the inflammation under control either with a maintenance inhaled steroid or with no steroid at all, except when one has an exacerbation. Then one is given a prescription that ends and isn't meant to be taken only occasionally.

An exacerbation is an increase in your COPD symptoms that requires some medical intervention to recover from, such as antibiotics and/or prednisone. It's not something that happens in the middle of the day and goes away. It's longer term.

That said, some people do go on a maintenance dose of prednisone. Most docs prescribe that only as a last resort because of the potential side effects. Some people can take low doses with few if any side effects; others have all the rotten side effects with very low doses, so docs don't usually like to try it unless there's no other choice.

I just hope you feel some better, when I have breathing issues I usually have predisone 20 mg

Prednisone was just prescibed for me for a flare-up of my rhematiod arthritis 20 mg for a week 15mg for a week 10mg of. A week 5mg for a week after the 2nd 20 mg dose all symtoms have disappeared. Had swollen red painful joints in hands (looked like little sausages) Completely gone in 2 doses. Amazing drug but high doses over extended priod can have devastating effects on body including complete adrenal collaspe (very bad if in tramatic event) also hard on kidneys and can causes or worsen diabetes. Among other adverse reactions. But short term a go to wonder drug.

I try not to use it weakens your bones

Be careful using too much prednisone. Six months ago I was told that I have developed cataracts and am almost completely blind in one eye, my eye doctor told me that too much prednisone, steroids, can cause cataracts and he believes that is what caused mine