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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Is It Safe Not To Have 60 Mgs Prednisone Immediately For Sarcoidosis?

I have had sarcoidosis for 4 1/2 years and have been advised to go on 60 mgs prednisone which Probably would be for life as I understand it will return if I try to come off it.My symptoms are breathlessness on biking up hills, and my lung capacity has dropped to 40%.I have no other symptoms, other than a cough on awakening, but not often throughout the day.I feel the symptoms are not bad enough to go down the steroid track with the side effects looking worse.I had a heart attack 8 years ago with 2 stents inserted and have absolutely no problems on that score, so do not want to upset the good health I have apart from he sarcoidosis.Any advice greatly appreciated.LT
Tue, 15 Dec 2015
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Pulmonologist,  's  Response
Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic.
I can understand your concern.
Sarcoidosis is chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease of lungs. So anti inflammatory drugs like steroids are mainstay of treatment.
But 60 mg daily steroid is higher dose for maintainance therapy. Usually 10-20 mg of steroid is advisable for maintainance therapy.
Along with maintenance dose of steroids, you should enroll yourself in Pulmonary Rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises are done. These will improve lung functions. Also take Pulmonary vaccines like pneumococcal and Influenza vaccines to prevent recurrent respiratory tract infection.
So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these.
Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.
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Is It Safe Not To Have 60 Mgs Prednisone Immediately For Sarcoidosis?

Thanks for your question on Health Care Magic. I can understand your concern. Sarcoidosis is chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease of lungs. So anti inflammatory drugs like steroids are mainstay of treatment. But 60 mg daily steroid is higher dose for maintainance therapy. Usually 10-20 mg of steroid is advisable for maintainance therapy. Along with maintenance dose of steroids, you should enroll yourself in Pulmonary Rehabilitation center where chest physiotherapy and deep breathing exercises are done. These will improve lung functions. Also take Pulmonary vaccines like pneumococcal and Influenza vaccines to prevent recurrent respiratory tract infection. So consult pulmonologist and discuss all these. Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further. Wish you good health. Thanks.