Coping with Prednisone (and Other Cortisone-Related Medicines): It May Work Miracles, but How Do You Handle the Side Effects? (Paperback)

by Eugenia Zukerman (Author), Dr. Julie R. Ingelfinger M.D. (Author)
Key Phrases: steroid cataracts, eosinophilic pneumonitis, nonfat cooking spray, New York, Bowling Green, Daniel Libby (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"There's now a highly useful, state-of-the-art, and engaging book to guide the many who must use long-term cortisone-related medicines. What a wonderful addition." --Herbert Benson, M.D., author of The Relaxation and Timeless Healing: The Power and Biology of Belief

"I wish this book had been available in 1990, when I had a heart transplant; it would have saved me countless hours of anguish and concern...I will place this valuable book next to the dictionary and the encylopedia-books that I refer to all the time." --Samuel Sanders, concert pianist and chamber musician

"This book is a superb resource for patients and professionals: a must-read for anyone taking or prescribing high-dose steroids." --Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, M.D., director of Dialysis and Renal Transplantation at Massachusetts General Hospital
-- Review

Review

"There's now a highly useful, state-of-the-art, and engaging book to guide the many who must use long-term cortisone-related medicines. What a wonderful addition." --Herbert Benson, M.D., author of The Relaxation and Timeless Healing: The Power and Biology of Belief

"I wish this book had been available in 1990, when I had a heart transplant; it would have saved me countless hours of anguish and concern...I will place this valuable book next to the dictionary and the encylopedia-books that I refer to all the time." --Samuel Sanders, concert pianist and chamber musician

"This book is a superb resource for patients and professionals: a must-read for anyone taking or prescribing high-dose steroids." --Nina Tolkoff-Rubin, M.D., director of Dialysis and Renal Transplantation at Massachusetts General Hospital

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; 1st edition (August 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312195702
• ISBN-13: 978-0312195700
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #349,900 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

77 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A necessary resource, June 30, 2000

By	Courtney L. Lewis "Sassy Librarian" (Kingston, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Considering my own love/hate relationship with Prednisone, I was very interested in this book, which was a delight to read. I still can't believe the huge lack of information available on steroids, considering its widespread use, and the personal nature of this story is very engaging. The two authors are sisters, Julie a doctor and Eugenia a professional flutist who develops a rare lung disease that requires steroid treatment. There is an excellent question and answer formatted chapter between the two sisters and an excellent chapter on the psychological effects of the medication, with Eugenia describing how she felt on the medication and Julie describing physically why she felt that way. Since Eugenia works in television as a cultural commentator she was especially concerned about changes the medicine might affect in her appearance, and her sister gave her excellent nutritional and exercise advice that is repeated in the book. I do need to point out, however, that Eugenia could 1) afford the more expensive food items, 2) had the time/energy to prepare them, and 3) could physically exercise. For others, including myself, who take Prednisone during a massive physical crisis, bedrest and debilitating pain/lack of energy necessitates us eating what is on hand or someone else buys (usually prepared foods) and exercise can be an impossibility, hence the typical Prednisone weight gain. This book is still a must-have for anyone personally dealing with this medication or with a loved one taking steroids.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Must reading for anyone on long term prednisone theraphy!, June 18, 1999

By	[e-mail] "mjexton" (California) - See all my reviews

A heartfelt thank you to Eugenia Zukerman and Dr. Julie R. Ingelfinger. I read a review of your book "Coping with Prednisone" in the Sunday Parade magazine. Immediately ordered same from Amazon.Com. Ms. Zukerman is the FIRST person I have discovered who suffers from the same disease that I do: Eosinophilic pneumonia, (aka Pulmonary Infiltration with Eosinophilia, or P.I.E.) I was diagnosed in 1987 and in reading Ms. Zukermans account, it could have been me writing the story, almost line for line. I also suffered with the battle of understanding what the Prednisone was doing to me, physically and emotionally, while it was doing it's wonder job of making me better. I thought at times I was crazy, until I begged one of my doctors to get me some help.... "information about side effects of Prednisone". He copied several pages of information from the hospital library, (for doctors only), but at least I had something to compare to, even though it was written in medical terms. I have felt for years that if a patient is on long term Prednisone therapy, detailed explanations should be furnished to the patient, as the side effects of the drug are so varied and at times most devistating. I have been on Prednisone for 12 years. I have learned to live with the side effects, but at times it is extremely difficult. For me, it has become a "trade-off". The prednisone is keeping me alive, so I must accept what else it is doing to me as payment. I have been an M.S. patient for 28 years and in 1991 was diagnosed with S.L.E. (Lupus). However, the Eosinophilic pneumonia has been the most difficult and devistating disease of the three. Unfortunately in my case, the eosinophilic infiltrates only stay at bay when the dose is 5mg. or higher. 60mg. needed to control a major flair of the eosinophilia. I would appreciate very much if Amazon.Com would forward this letter to Ms. Zukerman's publishers and request that they send it along to her. It is very comforting to know that one other person has this rare malady and has experienced many of the same things that I have. I wish I had had this book to read in 1987. It would have made coping with prednisone so much easier!

34 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have book for people who take prednisone., June 20, 1999

By	Avid Reader "Book lover" (Northridge, CA) - See all my reviews

I started a megadose 12 year adventure with prednisone in August, 1985; I am still suffering the after effects. The adventure continued for an average of 10 months out of each of the 12 years. My doctor provided some information about the side effects but nothing like what was detailed in this book. I only wish I had this book. This book provides invaluable help in knowing what to expect and, most importantly, how to handle the devestating side effects. Perhaps I would not have had an enormous weight gain and loss of a relationship if I had the book. I will highly recommend this book to anyone I meet who must take prednisone and, I am sending a copy to my doctor. Three cheers and one million thanks to the authors.