Prednisone withdrawal?

Question

I have been on 20 mg of Prednisone for about 1.5 years now, I am slowly starting to coming off them finally. I am currently down to 12.5 mg for another 2 weeks then down to 10 mg.

I am getting withdrawal pretty bad! My body and joints hurts, can't sleep, and I'm very emotional. The last week or so when I went down to 15 mg I could still keep my emotions in check but since being on 12.5 mg I'm having a hard time.

Today, I have been fighting back tears for most of the day. Yesterday, it was more rage and anger. I have snapped at many loved ones, I told them before I started coming off that I may be emotional. I work in health care, so I have been biting my tongue pretty hard trying my hardest to keep my cool with difficult patients. But, I fear I may lose my handle on everything and go off on a patient and end up in huge trouble or worse... lose my job.

I guess my question would be... how can I handle these symptoms as I continue to wean down? Is there something more I can do to help?
I do deep breathing, walking away, and counting to ten. I'm not sure if anything can be done but some tips to help would be much appreciated! Thank you!

Answer

I struggle with this as well. What works for me is stopping and doing an assessment of the situation. I treat myself like I would my child whose 3. Stop, think it through, then react. Sounds foolish but it works. If I don't do this everyone would be angry with me. I hope it helps! We've got so much going on and sometimes we lash out because we just want to be heard or just want a break or just want someone to know we're struggling. That's all find but we have to treat them with respect you know. It's not fair to them.

Answer

talk to your doctor about hydrocortisone, see if your doc can switch you to that.

Answer

Have been on some dosage of Prednisone for the biggest part of 28 yrs, when I was diagnosed with Crohns Disease. As high as 70 mg per day (thats a lot!!) and eaper down to 20 or so when doing better. I actually had more side effects at higher dose than when coming down. Higher doses cause the rage, the sleeplessness, and in me steroid induced cataracts. Down around 15=20 mgs, my mind is more stable, the weight gain not as bad, and sleep is easier to come by, and the rage feelings are gone. I know we are all different, but, the things you describe are more common on high doses. 12.5 is my number, never can get below it. Have huge flare and usually hospitalized for weeks if I go below that for long. It has already ruined by eyes and my bones, but, after 28 yrs, there is no going back. Those are long term effects. I think you will do better than you think at lower dose, then off.

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At the rate you described, tat is plenty of time for your body to adjust. You didn't say why you were taking it, but, all the negatives will be gone when the Prednisone is gone. Give it a chance. You just may feel better than you think. We all seem to go to worst case scenario in our minds. Turn it around and look at all you won't have to deal with when off it. I'd give just about anything to get off it, but, will never happen for me. Good luck, best wishes, be well as can be...

Answer

Hi - I have Multiple Sclerosis plus plus plus ... This last "stress" situation gave me back migraines fast and hard ..

My neuro prescribed both a step system with prednisone plus sumatriptan (?) to counter the withdrawals .. that is all I know .. It was hell but did break the migraines .. Talk to your doc and see if he can do this ..

My pharmacist is great as well and step by step plan and explanation .. Good luck !!

Answer

Hi Tink,

I'm sorry... unfortunately I don't have an answer but actually was looking for answers to the Prednisone taper myself.

I've been on Pred for a long time... maybe 10 yrs. And I've been on 20mgs (10mg 2x daily) for over a year. Prior to that I was down to under 10 mgs daily but things got bad and I had to go up.

Since then I've had major stuff come up... a Back Surgery in July to prevent paralysis and another back surgery coming up Nov 8th. Due to the back issues I am now also on major pain medications (Oxycodone, Oxycontin and Neuerontin) so I have those symptoms to contend with as well. My docs think it could take me a yr or more to taper off the Pred. Ugh!

I hope you don't mind if I join in on your thread so that I may be able to see helpful posts that might come up. IF I hear of anything helpful I will certainly pass it on to you.

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The only thing I could suggest would be to try dropping a wee bit less at a time so your body won't notice it so readily. ???

You will be in my prayers!! God Bless and be good to yourself!

Prednisone withdrawal?

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