Hello dear welcome to HealthcareMagic Concerning your husband history loosing stamina and balance edema following an intake of high dose of prednisone for herpes and autoimmune Encephalitis I am suggesting he has developed side effects of overdose of prednisone Prednisone is a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to to treat inflammatory disease if taken for long duration and on high doses produce the following side effects sleep problems (insomnia), mood changes; increased appetite, gradual weight gain; acne, increased sweating, dry skin, thinning skin, bruising or discoloration; slow wound healing; headache, dizziness, spinning sensation; nausea, stomach pain, bloating nephrotoxicity Regarding his presentation of shortness of breath the prednisone can not cause this rather the symptom will arise from the respiratory tract or the heart Disease of the respiratory tract and the heart are as follows Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Tuberculosis Pneumonia Coronary heart disease Congestive heart failure Cardiomyopathy(large heart) In view of this I am possibly sure there is no process please schedule an appointment with a cardiologist as well as nephrologist specialist for further clinical assessment and expert management I hope this helps Regards