How long will withdrawal from prednisone last?

I was on prednisone for 11 days for Eustachian tube inflammation (which did not help at all). 30 mg for 5 days, 20 mg for 2 days, 10 mg for 2 days and .5 mg for 2 days. I started feeling severe anxiety/panic attacks and nausea on the 10th day. The last pill I took was 2 days ago and I am still experiencing this symptoms. Today I feel shaky and lightheaded. I went to my Dr and he denied that all these symptoms of prednisone withdraw. He said that this is just my anxiety since I was already diagnosed with this disorder. He told me continue to take Xanax at night and prescribed me Celexa . I really don’t want to take another drug and Celexa also have the same side effects I am experiencing now.
Anyone was on similar prednisone regiment and how long they symptoms started to disappear.

Sorry did not mean rashes I meant to say costochronditis doesn't respond to prednisone. It makes me feel drunk too and should not have been writing this right now, but caught my error. I have a prednisone caused unidentifisble rash and confused my two topics.

I was recently put on prednisone to help battle an ear infection
At first it was helping. Then I started flushing on my face and arms. The flushing was so bad it was like the worst sunburn ever. I had to keep cold compresses on it. Then I couldn't sleep and by chance I did fall into a light sleep I would have terrible night mares.
I just quit the Meds having a few days left. And now 3 days later still suffering.
Head feels foggy. Wake up feeling empending doom. Head aches bad.
Hopefully this will pass sooner than what u have read on others post.

Omg!! This is exactly what I said.. I don't wish this upon anyone... Ever!!! I stopped the medication less then a week ago and idk if its still possible that I'm having effects.

Please keep me in the loop here. I need help with this med. It's awful!!!

I was recently placed on a 10 day regiment of Prednisone 10mg for Pleurisy; 50mg (x2), 40mg (2), 30mg(x2), 20mg (x2) and 10mg (x2). The day after my last dosage started the anxious, light headed, dizzy, nausea feelings. Thankfully I was with my sister (she has MS and used to the steroids) and she took care of me because I was "withdrawing." I had never experienced it before. I've taken steroids before but on a 5 day regiment for Bronchitis, so all these symptoms were completely new to me. So far I'm on day 4 of withdrawing, I have the headache still, drinking lots of water, and tiring easily. Just sucks, because this is spring break and I had all these plans with my son and now, it's all by ear. Does anyone know how much longer I may be experiencing the "withdrawals?"

about 2 weeks ago i had pain in my neck i couldn't turn my neck to the right went to urgent care the dr subscribed 20 grams of prenizone i was given 12 pills for 5 days but i had three pills left my neck felt better so i stopped taking it. then the day before i woke up with a bad heartburn and i thought i loosing my mind panicky gagging i made the call to 911 because it got so bad once in the er they check my heart lungs sugar every thing came back normal i felt better so this morning it started again heartburn and sick to my stomach and gagging i would like to know how long the withdrawal last? ty

I was put on Prednisone for asthma last week. 20mg 2x a day. No tapering. When I stopped I had a massive headache that lasted two days. On day two my stomach had sharp cramps and nausea then the body aches started. I woke up following day and it felt like my whole body was bruised. The side of my jaw is really tender. Even my hands ache. I really hope this goes away soon. My PCP told me I should go to urgent care since I am out of town on business but I am going to try to tough it out till Monday.

How long do the withdrawal symptoms last?

Funnygirl2377,
Thank you foor your post about your prednisone experience. How long did it take for you to feel good again? I’m having a terrible time tapering off after a long period of 8 mg prednisone. Initially was on25 mg for 3 days and then tapered rapidly down to 8 mg. Was on this dose for 9 months and now am trying to taper off because I hate the drug. My dr. Is supportive but not able to tell me how long it will take. I’m going down 1/2 mg every two weeks. Got impatient and so tried to go from 4 1/2 mg to 3 1/2 mg and became horribly ill. So I am back at 4 1/2 mg now for two weeks and continue the slow taper of 1/2 mg every two weeks. If you remember please let me know how long it took before you felt better. Thanks. Hjkitkat

I have been on prednisone for just over three years, first for Lupus, but now for severe adrenal insufficiency. Since the prednisone does nothing for my Lupus now, and my adrenal function is returning, I have been tapering for the last few months (2mg an day to 1mg, to 1mg every other day), and I am scheduled to stop it completely next week. I was having mild joint pain the first few times I tapered, but the last two weeks have been hell. I've had the headaches, stiff and achy joints all the time, I'm exhausted but not sleeping, and I'm constantly nauseous. I saw the rheumatologist today, and he said that this is completely normal as my adrenal glands adjust to the lack of cortisol-and that it's better to deal with these symptoms than to restart the prednisone. No word on how long the symptoms will last though.

This is my story! I was reading your story out loud to my husband and he was saying that is you! I have been off the prednisone after being tapered down for about 2 weeks. However during the tapering down I began feeling exactly as you described. I am unable to sit for long periods of time (especially in public because of how I have to get up); going to the bathroom is painful; getting out of bed is painful; laying down is painful... I have tried Tylenol; it works for the 4 hours and then I must take it again.

I hope that you are better now.

I have been on prednisolone for just over two years and reduced down and off them just four weeks ago. I too wake up weak and exhausted. I've had headaches sore eyes, skin rashes and sleep if I sit for long. The worst symptom is the excruciating pains in my joints which nothing I do makes it better.
I understand what you're saying and I feel for you. Sometimes I sit and cry I hurt so much.even my hands and fingers hurt its awful and no one seems to know just how long it goes on.

I've been on prednisone 11 mo. Also another steriod for 6 mo ( no longer on ) started on 40 mg day now 10 mg for 2 wks I hav headaches , nausea , fatigue, body aches, but I will say coming down from 20 to 10 has been the worse. My stomach hurts as well with the 10.

I have been on prednisone 9 years, just tapered off, I was on 5-10 mg daily, I loved it! I could walk again and everything... going off is really hard... I read it can take 12 - 24 months for ones body to get back its hormonal balance, swearword... I am still on Entocort and I have no idea what is going to happen when I go off that... it is good to know the withdrawal symptoms as I was about ready to check myself into the pyhc ward!!! emotions all over the place, sweats, headache, achy all over, extremely tired, irritable, not wanting to eat etc etc... It is a miracle drug with really, really bad side effects and I was will ingto take the risk... don't even ask how my bones are... ginny 9age 60ty, fyi)

Yes, I have been on prednison for 30 years (on & off) never above 10 mg, the doctor is cutting me back now, he said to go off 1 mg every month and half. I would like to go off sooner, it will take me 10 months to get of off of it. (15 months)

I have been on Prednisone for just over two years, and basically in a weaning process for at least a year, now down 3.5 mg/day. I tried alternating 4 & 3, but on the 3 days I really felt lousy (emotionally, major lack of concentration, etc), so we adjust to alternation 4 & 3.5, A week or so ago I switched to 3.5/day and ended up in a big, unnecessary fight with my partner but it seems to have stabilized. I barely want to get to 2 (maybe November) so I can drop Fosamax (alendronate) which gives me a once-a-week downer. It sucks, but hey, I survived and didn't go blind (I had terrible double vision from the underlying issue, GCA) and mostly feel healthy. We will beat this thing!

PS Auto-correct makes me seem like an idiot! Should have proofread better.

I've been on prednisone for 6months due to rhumetoid arthiritis.I'm on my second day of tapering off and feel like I've been run over.every muscle hurts.my head is throbbing,can't sleep,is their aby thing the doctor can do to help.any medication?

A year ago I started out on 50mg/day (for Giant Cell Arteritis - GCA) but this made my ankles swell and has caused tendonititis (which I've had ever since and it's very painful). The Dr reduced dose to 40mg/day for several months, gradually reducing down and now a year later down to 2.5 mg every other day. I've been feeling very weak and also not wanting to get out of bed, exhausted, and dizzy. The Dr did wean me off the med, but he didn't mention any side effects. Hopefully I'll get over feeling weak, dizzy and aching all the time. The Dr. said there wouldn't be any withdrawal symptoms, so have to ride it out.

I left prednisone 4 weeks ago and I'm just experiencing joint pain, swelling in my hands but I also have a burning aching sensation on my fingertips. Has anyone experienced this before?

I've been on prednisone for 4 yrs, finally tapered down to 10 mg a day, after six months I started tapering again, down to 3 mg. Very weak, have to force myself to do things, 30 lb. weight gain. Am due for steroid shots in sacral area next week. Only have one kidney so can't take ibuprofen products, makes it hard to get by with Tylenol as only pain reliever. I have Crohn's, COPD, polymyalgia, low thyroid, sciatica, stenosis of spine, auto immune, gout. SED rates often over 80. I've been careful with tapering, hoping the adrenals will resume their job. I want off this stuff and am hoping the steroid injections in sacral area will not have same affect.

my doctor put me on 40mg a day for 3 months then I tapered down every 7 days,I have crohns and now that I'm off prednisone I feel like crap, no energy, when will I feel better? This is a horrible drug, and my dr. told me to stop taking it after my 10 mg dose was done, not a good idea, I called the pharmacist and he told me to quit after my 5 mg dose was done, I weaned off of 2.5mg, needless to say I switched drs but feel terrible, waiting for my adrenals to kick in, anyone with a suggestion to help me?

my wife has been on 5mg for over a year, tried going down to half tablet and started fainting spells and heart running away, went back to full 5mg and now having vagina discharge, smelly brown with traces of blood, had full historectomy 4 years ago

I've been on Prednisone for 5 years due to severe pain and inflammation of Rheumatoid arthritis. Also diabetic, type 2 well controlled. Ended up in hospital for a week in 2016 June trying to come off too quickly. Rheum Dr never warned me, just said come down slowly. Been trying to get off since. I call it drug I love and hate. Takes my pain way down but then makes me hungry, can't sleep, dizzy, hands feet, face, belly swollen. I don't even recognize myself in mirrors. I'm down to 8 mgs a day now. Tired weak ,unable to think clearly. I think u have to ask Dr for 1 mg pills and I've been reducing 1 mg every two weeks. Taking forever but I can't get that sick again. I feel for u all coming off this stuff. God bless.

All I can say is the longer your on it the worse side effects get , however this is what I do because I’m asthmatic and go on them occasionally for a week . I reduce sodium intake eat dried apricots potassium helps but naturally . Do drink a lot of water all day . Cut down on carbohydrates no white except potato baked . Fresh fruit and vegetables reduce fluid . Try to walk and do some stretching and for anxiety deep breaths and some yoga . I don’t gain any weight maybe some water but like a half a pound . Good luck there are books on amazon on tips to reduce prednisone side effects

Is anyone still following this issue of prednisone withdrawal?
I’m a 62 yo female given prednisone over the course of 9 months for severe nerve pain/tingling etc in legs due to nerve impingement secondary to severe osteoporosis. Bone situation being treated with prolix and calcitonin with calcium also.

Hello everyone. I was diagnosed with bronchitis and told to take 20 mg of prednisone for five days and I took it for one day and had bad side effects so I weaned down to 10 mg the next day after I did my research about it. Then I went to the er and they tokd me that I can just stop taking it and to drink plenty of water and to eat right. What scares me is that I have a history of epilepsy but they told me I would be fine. Today I feel that it is hard to trust what doctors say because I wasn't even told to ween off of it when I was originally prescribed it.

I was given Prednisone for severe hives that didn't respond to other meds. I was given 60mg for 2 weeks and 40mg for 2 weeks without a taper... Today is my 4th day without Pred. and I am extremely tired and fatigued, muscle pain and joint pain. I did have have lots of issues while taking this medicine distended belly, hump on the back of my neck, I never felt like I was full, even though I had just eaten. I had insomnia and gained about 20lbs over the month I was on them. Anyone else not given a taper?