Should I Take Prednisone 20mg (deltasone) For A Bad Cold?

I was given Amox/K Clav 875-125MG, 1 Tab 2X day for 10 days. Also Prednisone 20mg (Deltasone) for a very bad cold that has chronically recurred for a couple weeks each time, with just about a week being clear after each recurrence. I have severe coughing, headache, an enormous amount of nasal/throat mucus (like burnt vanilla pudding, and bloody) with facial, neck and lower abdomen, lower chest and lower back pain. All that is unusual for me. The astonishing number of disclaimers and side effects is shocking and frightening; so I have the prescription sitting on my nightstand, unused after filling it today. Should I take it, with such scary statements as "You have a greater chance of getting an infection. Avoid people with flu, colds or infections; some could be very bad or deadly." I am also Type 2 diabetic: and have a periodic heart arrhythmia accelerated heartbeat and occasional beat skip.
Is it common to prescribe Prednisone to fight a cold or flu? The dosage is 3T once daily for 3 days, 2T once daily for 3 days, 1T once daily for 3 days, 1/2T once daily for 3 days. Will it be safe to take? Am I jeopardizing my health by taking the Prednisone? One last question; could it accelerate me getting Cataracts?

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This is somewhat confusing because prednisone is a steroidal anti-inflammatory which actually suppresses the immune system. I'm guessing the main reason the doctor prescribed it is to stop inflammation of your lungs, airway and esophagus.

Taking a corticosteroid for a cold seems rather odd. I guess maybe since it's being combined with an antiobiotic it will offset but it seems like that would really compromise your immune system in the long run.... ?

I do know that prednisone can cause cataracts but I believe that is only with prolonged (a year or more) daily use. Sounds to me that these questions are best left for an actual doctor to answer. You might want to check with your physician to clarify.

Hope you get feeling better.

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Since I cold is caused by a virus, and not a bacterial infection, an antibiotic is also not appropriate, unless your doctor feels that you have developed an infection, on top of the cold, such as sinusitis, or bacterial bronchitis.

The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness, headache, and diarrhea.

What other medications are you taking?

How are you doing? Has there been any change?

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Re: Mason (# 1)


Thank you for responding to my questions and your informed reply. Actually yes, numerous physical changes have developed; a higher temperature, now 101.8, I've become very fatigued, nervous or jittery, very cold hands and feet, headache is more amplified, the lower lumbar discs and surrounding area upward and outward toward my sides is so sore and painful I'm having difficulty getting up and sitting down, and have now developed severe diarrhea. My blood work was returned and I have anemia. I am 5'-10", 67, 150lbs; not on any meds now other than occasional homeopathic or holistic for periodic insomnia, upset stomach, headache, muscle soreness or bruises, etc. After my father was murdered seven years ago, the stress and depression in my life caused numerous problems....Nearly a year later, I was diagnosed with mild stage high blood pressure and Type II Diabetes, so I went on a Nutritionist's strict food plan and started walking fifteen minutes four times daily (my blood sugar dropped from Fasting 138 to 96 avg, and two hours post eating, 201 to 136 avg) so I stopped the medication. Also have kept very fit all my life except for the enormous stress in my recent life, not much out of the ordinary except GERD during these past few years. You're right about the inflammation, and it could be, because my doctor said that my left lung was not totally clear. I stopped by the doctor's office and my doctor related - through his nurse - to take my prescriptions as written and see him in two weeks if I'm not well. Thank you for your informed reply and well wishes.

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Re: Verwon (# 2)

I responded to Mason's reply to my questions, and hope you can see that. Not sure if I'm doing the 'reply' correctly or not. If you cannot read my recent response, please let me know and I will reply; otherwise it would be redundant. Briefly, I seem to be going downhill instead of seeing any improvements.
Thank you for your response and your kind concern. Sometimes strangers can be incredibly kind and giving, and that makes the world a much better place for us all.

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