Long term side effects

By Kim from Devon, UK on March 13, 2006
Category: PREDNISOLONE (Ophthalmic) (Drop)

I have been taking prednisolone/pred forte eye drops for almost 7 years for recurring uviitis and an eye condition which is caused by herpes simplex behind the eye.

Approximately 6 weeks ago I began to experience severe skin irritation on my torso, with prickling, burning and reddening, especially on contact with clothing and heat. It has become so that I am unable to tolerate clothes for longer than 15-30 minutes, thus confining me to the house and -being winter - being very cold. My GP gave me steroids orally and after 2 doses my condition worsened to the point that I couldn't breathe and my skin looked sunburned. I was admitted to hospital. Because the 'rash' was not raised, the dermatologists would not treat me, but they did stop the oral steroids and I was discharged 4 days later in the same condition as before the worst 'attack'. Now 2 weeks later, my GP is treating me with beta blockers, anti-histamines and anti-depressants, all of which seem to help the condition provided I make no attempt to get dressed and go anywhere. I think he believes it is partly psychological, but I can assure you it is not. My wife observes the reddening (which often gets worse in the evening) and says it 'moves around' my torso and neck.

In an attempt to explore every possible cause (and believe me we have), I opened a box of prednisolone drops and read the sheet inside including possible side effects - 'skin irritation, burning, stinging, reddening etc', although I must point out there is no reddening around the eye itself, just on my body.

Please can you advise me if you have heard of this before? If I must not take the steroid eye drops, is there an alternative which will keep my eye condition at bay?

Please help.

Kim (Mr)

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