I am a 69 year old woman and four months ago I was diagnosed with ITP, an autoimmune disease. Now I have to take prednisone, but I suffer from the side effects. My vision is blurred and I start to tremble with moderate physical exertion, such as housework. I don’t know how long I have to take prednisone, but will these symptoms go away if I stop taking the drug?
Joris Bartstra, journalist with medical diploma
Yes. ITP is a condition in which the immune system breaks down its own platelets. When the immune system is too active, you can inhibit it with prednisone. As a result, a multitude of complaints disappears, such as asthma, swelling of the joints, inflammation, fever, you name it. It really is a miracle cure for all kinds of ailments.
Because it works so broadly, it also has many side effects, including the symptoms you mention. Fortunately, these disappear once the prednisone has been tapered.
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