Can you take steroids every day if you have multiple sclerosis?

Here is My Question:
Using steroids everyday is not good I have been told. I am now taking 40 mg for a short course of prednison and I feel great. More energy,less pain. My MS is classified as stable but this is the second time I am doing a short course. August this year and at the moment, after moving to a new house. My last MRI was in January. Can you take steroids everyday???

Answer:
Some of the worst side effects we see in medicine occur as a result of taking steroids every day for prolonged periods of time. On the other hand, very high doses given for up to 7 days  or short periodic oral courses for up to 3 weeks are relatively safe. When we must - and I emphasize the word MUST- continue steroids for long periods of time, we try to dose them every other day to minimize the cumulative side effects.
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We have known for a long time (at least 50 years) that people with MS often feel remarkable better when they take steroids. Years ago doctors were persuaded to continue steroids in these patients often with horrific side effects and problems emerging over time. This practice disappeared in the late 1980s. You would be wise to avoid continuous use of steroids. 

Revere (Rip) Kinkel MD
Director of the Multiple Sclerosis Program
Professor of Clinical Neurosciences
University of California San Diego