Prednisone is a drug used quite often to treat
Crohn’s disease and
ulcerative colitis. Part of a class of drugs known as corticosteroids,
prednisone is similar to cortisol which is produced by the adrenal gland. Once
hailed as a ‘miracle’ drug, this thought has been tempered by prednisone’s many
side effects which usually get worse over time or as the dosage is increased.
Prednisone works by reducing inflammation in the body and inflammation is the
main cause of pain for sufferers of Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis.
Long term usuage or high doses can lead to many side
effects including weight gain, mood swings, increased hair growth, bone density
loss, facial mooning, acne, night sweats, headaches, lower resistance to
infections, increased eye pressure, depression, and many more too numerous to
mention. Each of these can have profound psychological effects on patients who
have no choice but to take prednisone for their inflammatory bowel disease.
Mood swings and depression are especially damaging to a
patient with inflammatory
bowel disease. Depression further alienates the patient who may already feel
very much alone due to the illness which may affect treatment or the patient’s
ability to get and remain on a treatment program. Mood swings can have
devastating effects such as increased anger taken out unknowingly upon friends
and loved ones at a time when a Crohn’s patient needs all the support available.
Bone density loss can lead to brittle bones subject to
breaking more easily if not caught early or by using preventative measures such
as taking calcium with vitamin D supplements. If not detected early, drugs like
fosamax which help the body absorb calcium may be necessary. What young man or
woman wants to worry about bones breaking?
Increased facial hair can have negative ramifications for women while acne can also damage the psyche in those who are prescribed prednisone. Prednisone users also must be wary of infections as the medication
lowers the body’s resistance. Vigilant monitoring is necessary or a seemingly
simple infection could lead to dire consequences.
Other side effects affecting the skin include thinning of
the skin and the body bruising more easily. Many patients get large bruises on
their body and have no idea how it happened. Prednisone can also lead to an increase in the eye pressure which may cause eye damage. Drugs like trusopt can
help control eye pressure but this is just one more worry and drug to take for
the patient with
inflammatory bowel disease.
Although prednisone may be necessary for many Crohn’s
disease patients, one must be especially wary of the many potential side effects
and the possible problems each brings to the table. For many, prednisone may be
the only drug to quiet a flare-up, but as the old saying goes, caveat emptor,
buyer beware.
