Dear DANewGuy, no need to worry about the steroids. My sister was on them for about 30 years. The steroids did not play a part in her death. She died of pneumonia, caused by the asthma. She has had it before as her lungs would become weak and fill with fluid. Thats why she had to have the steroids to live. She has fought pneumonia before. I don't know why you are on them, the only thing I know negative about them is if your on them for a long time, your bones are destroyed eventually. My sister had to have a hip replacement a few years ago because of this. But as I said it was the lesser of two evils because her lungs would not have worked for so long without them. I wouldn't worry unduly, because as I said they didn't cause her death but bare in mind about the side effects, like softening bones if your going to be on them for a long period of time. Thankyou to yourself and Anon for your kind comments. Best Wishes Tracy x