I am soooo tried of this, and I am sure you are all tired of it too. I was diagnosed about 2 yrs ago. my biggest problem is hair loss! I CAN"T MAKE IT STOP!!!! I have had very little help from doctors, though i also didnt have insurance for a bit. I have it now and am back on track to trying to stop my hair loss. I tried metformin a while back and it didnt help the loss, heres my questions, I know i have high cortisol, I asked my doctor to let me try 2.5 prednisone 'cause i heard it helps lower androgen and cortisol. I have been on it for 12 days, and i feel like it might be worse. That could be because I am paying too much attention, (when I am stressed out it makes my hair fall out alot more) . does anyone have experience with prednisone? I heard it works fast, is 2 weeks not long enough. I also heard you should pair it with medformin to help with insulin, maybe i need to try that again too. The weird thing is that i dont have many other signs of PCOS, just the cysts and hairloss, with very infrequent periods when not on the pill. can anyone help???? I am so tired of being sad. I have lost so much hair, and i am only 30.
OK, maybe my answer is totally misquided and uncalled for. But......I'm going to say this anyway.
Prednisone is a powerful drug that can have devastating effects on your body, your entire body, taken over the long term. You are taking big risks to try to save your hair by taking prednisone. As far as I am concerned, preventing hairloss is not a good enough reason to take prednisone.
And I have never hear of using prednisone to treat women's hairloss from PCOS. Anyone who can some me some research that demonstrates otherwise, please do so. A doctor went along with this?
Believe me, I am not minimizing how awful hair loss is. Mine has gotten so bad, I wear wigs and hairpieces. I KNOW how devastating it feels. Really, I do, I am living with it, and know it will be a problem for the rest of my life.
In my book, hair is not worth wrecking my total health for, not on this drug. Prednisone has its place. I don't think this is one of them.
And for the record, I know you are desparate to find something to stop the hair loss! But honestly, there really is no magic bullet that treats this problem.
__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
I know that prednisone is used to treat severe asthma. I have been on it, but only for a couple of days and had to wean myself off of a 24 mg a day dose.
My brother in law has a muscle disease (Not MS, something else Ican never remember the name of) and he took prednisone. I think this medicine is bad news. If taken long term it can have devistating effects. I totally agree with StarMadiens post. Just seeing what my BIL went through on this stuff breaks my heart. My hubby was actually put on it for an infection he had on his foot. It cleared up in no time flat but he was only on it two weeks. You can imagine what I said to the doctor when he reccomended this drug for him. Short term is ok. But I wouldn't take it and I wouldn't reccomend taking it for more than a month.
I'm sure there are other meds you can try? I personally don't have a problem with thinning hair and believe me if I could give you some of mine I would I actually donate my hair on occasion when it gets too long. I hope you find some relief without worring about what the meds could be doing to your long term health.
*hugs* and Peace.
Deanna
__________________
Deanna ~ 27 ~ Dx. PCOS 1999
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Bbr's link to WebMD is a good link for info on prednisone.
It's a strong anti-inflammatory steroid medication and is very very useful in certain applications. It can be a lifesaver in some cases for certain things. As a matter of fact, one of my CATS who was just diagnosed with malignant lymphoma is taking a dose of it everyday. But it's much better tolerated in cats than in humans, and even in cats you don't take it long term because of the dreadful side effects. I don't worry about that in my cat...it doesn't look like she is going to have a "long term" to worry about.
It's just not worth the risks to try to keep your hair, as I said before, and honestly, I've never seen anything linking it to treating hairloss from PCOS, anyway.
Now this is important, Amyable. You've been taking the prednisone for a couple of weeks right? You need to consult with your doctor about what schedule you need to follow to taper off this drug. This is not a drug you can quit taking cold turkey. You have to gradually get your body used to producing its own corticosteroids again. Please talk to your doctor!
__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
I've been on Prednisolone for years and years. About 5 would say. I take 5 per night. I have locah - late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia etc as well as pcos. I've not had any bad side effects off it.
I have locah - late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Eva, you have a good reason for being on the drug.
I'm glad you stopped in on this thread, because I'm glad Amyable will have someone who can help give more input on this issue. Have you noticed anything either positive or negative in regard to hair thinning/loss while you've been taking the pred?
__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
OK, maybe my answer is totally misquided and uncalled for. But......I'm going to say this anyway.
I agree with StarMaiden. It is indeed a very serious drug. Believe me I know... My younger brother, husband, and I all suffered through childhood asthma. Anyway, we all joke about how taking Prednisone is like walking hands with the devil. You have to take it because you can't breathe but it's destroying your body a hundred other ways.
amyable,
If you are looking for natural anti-inflammatories please consider Omage 3 fatty acids such as Fish Oil (3 to 4 grams a day) or Flax Seed (1 or 2 TBs per day) or herbs such as German Chamomile, Ginger, Turmeric, Cloves, Cinnamon, Boswellin (Indian Frankisence), Green Tea, Oregano, Holy Basil or Bromelain and even take a few of them in combination! There are other herbs, veggies, fruits too (blueberries).... Use extra virgin olive oil, butter, and flax seed oil (for salad dressing). Even look into coconut oil use....
Also, some have found help with essential oils for their hair loss.... There are so many ways to do things.
Please research as much as possible and read up on all the dangers of prednisone.
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my father actually took this drug in august, when he was diagnosed with extremely aggressive liver/stomach/lung cancer... it was to help him dry up his lungs so he could breathe better... it was horrible on his poor body... and he got to the point where he just wouldn't take it, because i made him feel like crap...
If your elevated testosterone stems from your adrenal glands, prednisone can be used to lower testosterone. Prednisone suppresses the adrenal glands, and therefore can also suppress testosterone coming from the adrenal glands. I imagine this is the reason your doctor prescribed prednisone. More information about this is treatment option is available at http://www.ovarian-cysts-pcos.com/corticosteroids.html
I would ask your doctor if he/she thinks your elevated testosterone is coming from your adrenal glands. If this is the case, prednisone might be a good treatment option.
UGGGGGGG! Has anyone tried prednisone? 
I actually donate my hair on occasion when it gets too long. I hope you find some relief without worring about what the meds could be doing to your long term health.
I've been on Prednisolone for years and years. About 5 would say. I take 5 per night. I have locah - late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia etc as well as pcos. I've not had any bad side effects off it.
