Rolland raised an issue that no one addressed: prednisone can be taken regularly, as Rolland does at 10 mgs per day, or it can be given on a short term basis, usually less than two weeks, in regularly decreasing amounts to help you get over an exacerbation. I've never been prescribed prednisone regularly, but I've had it several times over the last 25 years to help me get over something. I take it only when it seems absolutely necessary and my pulmonologist threatens me (I really don't like the stuff and will do just about anything to avoid it). No two patients are alike with this disease, and what works for one won't necessarily work for someone else, so either approach is fine if it works.

Prednisone is an anti-inflammatory. Inflammation in the lungs makes breathing worse and makes all of our usual symptoms much worse: prednisone reduces the inflammation and makes us feel much better. Most people have side effects with short term higher doses of prednisone (40-80 mgs), such as manic energy, trouble sleeping, eating everything in sight, irritability, most of which people find difficult, so it's often called "the drug we love to hate". It does great things for us, but at a cost.

Well said @ Jean!

Hi Susan. Many of us with respiratory conditions are on Prednisone. Or wish they were. This Forum has a short description of most of our meds at the bottom of your home page. or Just click on the blue words whenever you see them.
That said, A low dose (10 mg pill) is part of my daily regimen. Next to the once-daily inhaler, IT is my Go-To for managing the assortment of breathing issues which change from day to day. Our bodies make these same steroids, just not fast enough to keep us healthy anymore.

Sometimes inflammation is mentioned but not explained well. Steroids keep our bodies kind of revved up all the time to fight an illness that will never go away. Like having a Forever Flu. Our body is always at War with itself now due to whatever caused our COPD.
I don't get into the debates about using vs. not using it. Your mileage may vary

Here is an article that talks about many of the pros and cons of using steroids for two inflammatory diseases I've never heard of until today:
https://www.pemphigus.org/handling-prednisones-...

Trust me, if one is hospitalized for any respiratory failure, Prednisone is all you get to recover. And water. The devil is in the details. We have to be informed to advocate for ourselves and then the Docs must provide better care. Be well.

Warning... Long post😂😂😂
Hello Susan... I am on Prednisone. I've been on Prednisone since 2015. I started out on 60mg. I felt better, like nothing was wrong! Btw... I don't have COPD. I have Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD) which is a combination of things (Rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue disease, pulmonary hypertension, etc). Back to the Prednisone, When they start tapering me off the Prednisone, the worst I got! I did not gain weight,as a matter of fact, I lost a few lbs. I mean it's a steroid medication. It helped ME with everything! It was after they tapered it off, I started to have shortness of breath. They went from 60mg to 40mg. Started having breathing problems, which led me to being on oxygen! I don't 🤔 think, I was ever on a low dose of oxygen. I'm on 6 liters at rest and 8-10 liters when I'm moving around and have to walk a little ways. Well I'm down to 15 liters. It's hard to get around. I have to stop and catch my breath often. But I push on! I've done chemotherapy for 18 months with 3 different medications. My only hope now is a transplant. I'm preparing now. Starting next week I have about 15 appointments. Wish me luck! Hope all goes well with you also. I hope I answered your question!