Why don't we use more steroids?

Steroids over time have awful side effects.

I never feel better than when I’m on a course of steroids, so I know exactly what you’re talking about! However, @JLeslie is right… over time, they can cause lots of problems. One I can think of right off the top of my head is “moon face”, where the face gets abnormal fat deposits, causing it to be very round.

I have psoriasis, and use a steroid cream to speed the production of skin.
I have to be careful how I use it. It causes problems with sleeping, and anger management.
Oral doses can cause a terrible mess of problems, including cancer.

This week I am angry. There are other factors as well. But physically I feel good. For the first time in ages.

This question reminded me of another couple of medical things that have made me feel fantastic. During my first pregnancy, I ended up severely dehydrated for some reason, and ended up in the hospital where they gave me a bag (or was it two?) of saline by IV. God, I felt great afterward! Made me wish I could just get a saline IV every now and again.

And the other thing was (TMI warning) having to drink a gallon of magnesium citrate to clear out my innards prior to having a hysterectomy. It was awful during the consumption/expulsion period, but when I was all cleared out I felt like a new woman.

I always feel terrific on my third and fourth days of taking penicillin.

Steroids ruin joints, bone, tendons, can create water retention, increase risk for blood clots, and the list goes on and on. Some of the risks are basically a given, they will happen with extended use, some are more of a matter of your own genetics and habits that can help to contribute to risk.

@filmfann I do too. Well, Augmentin specifically, not all penicillin. I have a chronic condition and every so often I take meds to feel good for a while and the Augmentin is magical. It is not just how I feel, but the symptoms are observable to the eye.