Steroid Burst

[zazuk2010]

Ds5 (almost 6) will be doing a low dose 5 day steroid burst (Dr. K protocol) over the spring break from school. I have been told that the steroids will weaken his immune system making him more susceptible to getting sick. My questions are:

 

1. is this true

2. is it just during the days he is on the steroids or if not, how long after he is off of them is he still more at risk for getting sick.

 

 

Trying to decide exactly when to do it and also if I need to keep him home and for how long. Appriciate any advise on this. Thank you all.

 

Best, Kari

[peglem]

Its true. Response to the steroid burst indicates autoimmunity because it reduces antibody production, including auto-antibodies. My daughter did a 5 day burst and began getting ill on day 4...it was the first time in years she got real symptoms of illness- a fever and everything!

[colleenrn]

Yes. I want to do a burst with one of my children, but b/c our family has been almost constantly sick since September, I am afraid to lower his immune system even more. I may try it as soon as he is out for the summer.

 

My sister has done several bursts and longer periods (3-4 weeks) of pred with 2 of her kids and they did not get sick, so that is encouraging.

Colleen

[thereishope]

When my son did a 5 day burst it was in an October or November. He did not get sick from anything while he was on it or shortly after. I think I'd be more concerned about the lowering of the immune system if it was 30 days of the steroid. It's smart to do it over a break, even spring break.

[zazuk2010]

Thanks, that makes me feel a little better. I think we will, in fact, do it over break. He will be around some family members that are visiting, but I am going to try not to visit any crowded places. Just stay close to home.

 

Kari

[EAMom]

We're going to do a burst on our dd soon (so far, mood is better on higher dose of Azith, 500mg/day now). We're waiting until next week to start. Younger dd has a birthday party (including a few friends sleeping over) so I want to check her for strep a few days after the party, just to make sure we're not timing the burst with the introduction of strep into the household.

 

We don't plan to take pandas dd out of school....but might consider it if there was a known illness going around the class (or we would just wait for that to blow over b-4 starting the burst).

 

Like the others have said, I'd be more concerned with a month of steroids, vs. 5 days.

 

We did a burst last July w/out problems...but there is less "stuff" going around in the summer!

[dut]

Hi - I had the same worries when doing a 5 day steroid burst for both our dd and ds. Dd6 got 60mg (65lbs) per day end of November and ds2 got 30mg (he's 35lbs) in October (I think it was October) and neither kids got sick then or in the the couple of weeks after. I sent dd to school with sanitizer and kept 1 in the car and was extra careful about wiping shopping carts etc.