Is there a reason to avoid prednisone for chf patient with inflammation, myalgia and kidney/water retention concern? what medicine is good to reduce cortisol?

Complex: Prednisone causes fluid and water retention and so is not a good medicine for someone with CHF. If there is no alternative, the effects can be reversed with furosemide that is titrated to effect. Since predisone is a corisol like drug, giving it is the opposite of reducing cortisol. In other words, if you have too much cortisol, you would't give prednisone. Capish?

Possible: exacerbation of fluid retention and increase in BP. Elevated cortisol may be caused from many other medical issues: consult your endocrinologist.

Yes: Prednisone is a steroid and can potentially cause or worsen swelling and fluid retention. In some cases it can also cause kidney problems. There are cases, hiwever, in which steroids can be indicated in a patient with sumilar symptoms, such as if they had lupus for example and were having a symptomatic flare. I would certainly discuss directly with your doctor for the specifics in your case.