My son is taking 1mg of prednisone a day. He has cancer and his doctor wants him to quit altogether because of the side effects. When he reduces the dose, he feels so bad that he starts to take the stuff again. How long will he feel bad after he stops? Is there any natural substance that will get his body to produce steroids on its own? What can help him to feel the side effects less?

Thanks,
Patty S.

1) You can't get a steroid that's only 1mg. The lowest amount is 5mg (in pill form).

2) Some men need to use steroids as replacement therapy. When this is done, they use 50mg to 150mg every two weeks. When they come off, there are very little side effects.

3) Have your son take a testosterone booster (like andro). This helps your body to restart producing its own testosterone.

4) I'M VERY SORRY TO HEAR YOUR SON HAS CANCER! He must stop any steroid use. This is like adding fuel to a fire and it must stop!

Sorry if I came across like I don't believe your story, but some of your statements don't make any sence. I will look for your feedback and respond to your next topics and questions. Oh yeah...I have use steroids for 5 years now and have studied it 2 hours a day for 5 years. That doesn't make me an expert, but it does make me experienced.


Thanks,
K

As for alternatives, I really don't know what to tell you. With your son having cancer, it is my understanding that he should not even touch the stuff. Any alternatives I can think about all state on the bottle that if you have cancer that you should under no circumstances take the product.

The best of luck,
Your friendly Canadian Neighbour Brendan

Also, is the cancer terminal? And, forgive me for being blunt, but if his days are numbered for God's sake let him take whatever makes him feel better. If it's 200mg a day of whatever, then I say let it go. If the cancer goes into remission as a result, at that time start looking at ways to decrease his dose and get him to more natural supplements. Here are the items below.

Androderm By Medlean--This is a topical substance which is applied once a day to the inner thigh. It increases testosterone levels in the body and will perform somewhat like a steroid, however it will also cause the body to decrease testosterone production if taken for more than 6 weeks, so keep this in mind.

Tribulus--This is a naturally occurring substance which will help his body continue to produce normal levels of testosterone along with the androderm, which will allow his body to push those levels even higher. The combination of these two is what I have found helps my mood, energy, and performance the best (I do not have cancer, I simply take them for performance enhancement in the gym, but again safer than steroids).

And last but not least, he may wish to look into a supplement that is a little harder to find, but that I have been using for about two months now and has helped my overall sense of wellness and health. It is a powerful antioxidant called OPC-3 and it is available through some online vendors as well as through Market America. It works, just makes me feel better, I can't explain why or how, but I know I can tell the days I don't take it because I just don't feel as good that night (I usually don't notice it right away in the morning). As far as what it is, it's kind of a more powerful version of vitamin C (also an antioxidant) and just helps your system to "clean out."

The combination of these three natural substances might have just as positive an effect on your son's mood and health as the steroids are having now. Worst case scenario, they don't make him feel as good and you're back where ya started. I truly hope you son is OK and pulls through this. I lost my father to cancer and I truly hope that no one has to go through the experience of cancer. If these supplements help, do me a favor and make sure to let his doctor know. Far too many in the medical community are dead set against anything that is not of their little world. It never hurts to open a few eyes. Best of luck, and I wish your son the best.

Joe

Sorry, first of all, to hear about the cancer diagnosis with your son. The original prescribing of Prednisone is common with some types of cancer, particularly with both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. The sad part is that many of the previous people who have responded to you are OBVIOUSLY NOT familiar with cancer treatment and the drugs prescribed during and after.

I hauled a friend back and forth with multiple relapses of non-Hodgkins lymphoma to the City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, California. It is usually given during and after chemotherapy treatments, and virtually always after a procedure called a "stem cell transplant." Usually the patient is kept on the drug for several years afterwards, and if their re-checks remain clear, they are slowly weaned off the drug.

Prednisone is an EVIL drug and can cause numerous side effects, the worst of these relate to mental changes and mood swings. I do not know where you are in the country, but if you are on the West Coast I would recommend contacting the cancer center at City of Hope Medical Center in Duarte, California. If you are on the East Coast, I understand that Sloan-Kettering has similar services available. It is very likely that your son should be re-evaluated by a competent oncologist, and if he sees fit, the drug should be very slowly withdrawn. Do NOT withdraw this drug from your son without the approval of a board certified oncologist. A standard general practitioner, as in many HMO medical plans, may not be in possession of 100% of your son's records. Mom, this is a very rough drug and you need help and medical supervision for your son on this one. It can be psychologically VERY addictive.