Side effects of long-term prednisone taken for Lupus/Sjogren's

Question

What would be side effects of 60mgs a day of prednisone taken for 2 yrs for Lupus/Sjogrens?

I believe i may be  living the side effects of the prednisone. I was wondering what more to expect. I am finally down to 10mg a day.

Answer 1

Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can have a variety of side effects, especially at higher doses and longer terms, including high blood sugar, insulin resistance, diabetes, osteoporosis, cataracts, anxiety, depression, colitis, hypertension, ictus, erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, amenorrhoea, and retinopathy.

See also
http://arthritis.about.com/cs/steroids/a/corticosteroids_2.htm
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/steroids/HQ01431

Corticosteroids are very effective anti-inflammatory drugs, and  sometimes they are the only effective option, but they should be used at the lowest possible dose that does the job and for the shortest possible time.

However, many other alternatives used to treat lupus/Sjogren's can also have serious side effects, so selecting the right treatment  is not always straightforward. Make sure your doctor knows your complete history and  all your current symptoms  when deciding on optimal drug regimen for you.