rosieC replied: "The normal platelet count is 150,000. The platelets are needed for coagulation to prevent bleeding. It mediates in clot or fibrin formation. So with platelet count so low; bleeding time is prolonged. Corticosteroids such as Prednisone ( it's converted to prednisolone ny the liver) and cortisone are used to suppress the immune system and inflammation. such as in bursitis. It is also used in treatment of thrombocytopenia by raising the platelet count. Your platelet count of 700,000 is unusually high. Another minor side effects is overactivity as it overactivates your thyroid. Prednisone and prednisolone are members of the glucocorticoid class of hormones. This means they are steroids but, unlike the anabolic steroids that we hear about regarding sports medicine, these are "catabolic" steroids. Instead of building the body up, they are designed to break down stored resources (fats, sugars and proteins) so that they may be used as fuels in times of stress. Cortisone would be an example of a related hormone with which most people are familiar. Glucocorticoids hormones are produced naturally by the adrenal glands. We do not use the glucocorticoids for their influences on glucose and protein metabolism; we use them because they are also the most broadly anti-inflammatory medications that we have. Their uses fit into several groups: Anti-inflammatory (especially for joint pain and itchy skin) Immune-suppression (treatment of conditions where the immune system is destructively hyperactive. Higher doses are required to actually suppress the immune system) Cancer Chemotherapy (especially in the treatment of lymphoma) Central Nervous System Disorders (usually after trauma or after a disc episode to relieve swelling in the brain or spinal cord ) as in your case. Shock (steroids seem to help improve circulation) Blood Calcium Reduction (in medical conditions where blood calcium is dangerously high treatment is needed to reduce levels to normal) Prednisone is activated by the patient's liver into Prednisolone. Prednisolone may be administered in tablet form or produced by the body from prednisone. These medications are considered to be interchangeable. . Glucocorticoid hormone use can be irritating to the stomach at higher doses. INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS Glucocorticoid hormones should not be used in combination with medications of the NSAID class (ie aspirin, Rimadyl, phenylbutazone etc.) as the combination of these medications could lead to bleeding in the stomach or intestine. Ulceration could occur. CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS Prednisone and prednisolone are considered to be intermediate acting steroids, meaning that a dose lasts about a day or a day and a half. After two weeks or more of use, it is important to taper the dose to an every other day schedule so as to keep the body's own cortisone sources ( body's own adrenal glands) able and healthy. Prednisone/Prednisolone use is likely to change liver enzyme blood testing and interfere with testing for thyroid diseases. When prednisone/prednisolone is used routinely, serious side effects would not be expected. When doses become immune-suppressive (higher doses) or use becomes "chronic" (longer than 4 months at an every other day schedule), the side effects and concerns associated become different. In these cases, monitoring tests may be recommended or, if possible, another therapy may be selected."

embellishment3 replied: "I have known people who have gained alot of weight while taking prednisone tablets.You are not nuts to choose this.If you were to have alot of excess weight then you would more then likely feel more pain because of the weight you would be carrying around.Speak to your Doctor about your concerns."