Prednisone Taper

[tleigh]

I have been on varying doses of Prednisone since Jan. I am finally stable enough that we are attempting a taper with the goal of getting off of it completely. I just finished a week at 7.5 and am starting at 5 mg this week.

Are there symptoms that I should be looking for? My doc mentioned that I probably would feel cruddy as my body goes through withdrawal and adjusts. Well, I do feel cruddy...experiencing some cramping, etc. Just wondered if anyone could shed some light on this "fun" process!

 

[tleigh]

I have been on varying doses of Prednisone since Jan. I am finally stable enough that we are attempting a taper with the goal of getting off of it completely. I just finished a week at 7.5 and am starting at 5 mg this week.

Are there symptoms that I should be looking for? My doc mentioned that I probably would feel cruddy as my body goes through withdrawal and adjusts. Well, I do feel cruddy...experiencing some cramping, etc. Just wondered if anyone could shed some light on this "fun" process!

 

[tleigh]

I have been on varying doses of Prednisone since Jan. I am finally stable enough that we are attempting a taper with the goal of getting off of it completely. I just finished a week at 7.5 and am starting at 5 mg this week.
<br />
<br />Are there symptoms that I should be looking for? My doc mentioned that I probably would feel cruddy as my body goes through withdrawal and adjusts. Well, I do feel cruddy...experiencing some cramping, etc. Just wondered if anyone could shed some light on this "fun" process!

 

[sawyer]

If you taper off slowly things shouldn't be TOO bad. Well, that's the cxase for me anyway. I go on bursts of pred every so often and I find it's worse when I'm on higher doeses than when I'm tapering off. My main problem is the cramps and general pain but it usualy doesn't last too long. As long as you taper off slowly and carefully (from 5mg to 4, 3, 2 then eventually 1 OR 5 mg to 2.5 mg for a few weeks) your bobdy should adjust quite well.

 

[sawyer]

If you taper off slowly things shouldn't be TOO bad. Well, that's the cxase for me anyway. I go on bursts of pred every so often and I find it's worse when I'm on higher doeses than when I'm tapering off. My main problem is the cramps and general pain but it usualy doesn't last too long. As long as you taper off slowly and carefully (from 5mg to 4, 3, 2 then eventually 1 OR 5 mg to 2.5 mg for a few weeks) your bobdy should adjust quite well.

 

[sawyer]

If you taper off slowly things shouldn't be TOO bad. Well, that's the cxase for me anyway. I go on bursts of pred every so often and I find it's worse when I'm on higher doeses than when I'm tapering off. My main problem is the cramps and general pain but it usualy doesn't last too long. As long as you taper off slowly and carefully (from 5mg to 4, 3, 2 then eventually 1 OR 5 mg to 2.5 mg for a few weeks) your bobdy should adjust quite well.

 

[Havoc]

I had lots of joint pain. If you get that, keep moving the affected joint, it's not comfortable, but it does help.

 

[Havoc]

I had lots of joint pain. If you get that, keep moving the affected joint, it's not comfortable, but it does help.

 

[Havoc]

I had lots of joint pain. If you get that, keep moving the affected joint, it's not comfortable, but it does help.

 

[ej0820]

I have experienced some pretty achy muscles and low grade fevers when tapering off of prednisone. What usually helps is to just taper off more slowly. For example, if I go from 20mg for a couple days to 10mg, I will probably start feeling crappy. I would just go back up to 20mg for another few days and then go down to 15mg and stay at that for a while. The last time I was on prednisone, once I got my self to like 25-20mg, I took those doses for close to a week before tapering down another 5mg, then stayed at that for almost a week. It took forever to taper myself off completely, but I felt better doing so.

And prednisone tastes sooo bad! That is the only pill I NEED to take by itself. I've tried just throwing the prednisone in with my cocktail of pills I take everyday and I end up spewing them (and the prednisone) everywhere because of the taste. I realize you didn't ask for that detail, but if you need to try to combat the taste, take a sip of something flavored first, pop the pill in your mouth, and swallow it down as quickly as possible...the taste will then be pretty minimal-disgusting, still, but minimal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">


Hope you feel better soon!

 

[ej0820]

I have experienced some pretty achy muscles and low grade fevers when tapering off of prednisone. What usually helps is to just taper off more slowly. For example, if I go from 20mg for a couple days to 10mg, I will probably start feeling crappy. I would just go back up to 20mg for another few days and then go down to 15mg and stay at that for a while. The last time I was on prednisone, once I got my self to like 25-20mg, I took those doses for close to a week before tapering down another 5mg, then stayed at that for almost a week. It took forever to taper myself off completely, but I felt better doing so.

And prednisone tastes sooo bad! That is the only pill I NEED to take by itself. I've tried just throwing the prednisone in with my cocktail of pills I take everyday and I end up spewing them (and the prednisone) everywhere because of the taste. I realize you didn't ask for that detail, but if you need to try to combat the taste, take a sip of something flavored first, pop the pill in your mouth, and swallow it down as quickly as possible...the taste will then be pretty minimal-disgusting, still, but minimal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">


Hope you feel better soon!

 

[ej0820]

I have experienced some pretty achy muscles and low grade fevers when tapering off of prednisone. What usually helps is to just taper off more slowly. For example, if I go from 20mg for a couple days to 10mg, I will probably start feeling crappy. I would just go back up to 20mg for another few days and then go down to 15mg and stay at that for a while. The last time I was on prednisone, once I got my self to like 25-20mg, I took those doses for close to a week before tapering down another 5mg, then stayed at that for almost a week. It took forever to taper myself off completely, but I felt better doing so.
<br />
<br />And prednisone tastes sooo bad! That is the only pill I NEED to take by itself. I've tried just throwing the prednisone in with my cocktail of pills I take everyday and I end up spewing them (and the prednisone) everywhere because of the taste. I realize you didn't ask for that detail, but if you need to try to combat the taste, take a sip of something flavored first, pop the pill in your mouth, and swallow it down as quickly as possible...the taste will then be pretty minimal-disgusting, still, but minimal. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif" border="0">
<br />
<br />
<br />Hope you feel better soon!

 

[tleigh]

Thanks so much for your replies. I am currently going through pain as well as the emotional rollercoaster (lol...my poor hubby!). Finishing the week on 5 mg and then 5 every other day next week w/ bloodwork to make sure cortisol levels are ok.

@erin I so agree w/ you. I work hard to swallow it fast and then if I get some of the taste it just makes me want to spit it out!

 

[tleigh]

Thanks so much for your replies. I am currently going through pain as well as the emotional rollercoaster (lol...my poor hubby!). Finishing the week on 5 mg and then 5 every other day next week w/ bloodwork to make sure cortisol levels are ok.

@erin I so agree w/ you. I work hard to swallow it fast and then if I get some of the taste it just makes me want to spit it out!

 

[tleigh]

Thanks so much for your replies. I am currently going through pain as well as the emotional rollercoaster (lol...my poor hubby!). Finishing the week on 5 mg and then 5 every other day next week w/ bloodwork to make sure cortisol levels are ok.
<br />
<br />@erin I so agree w/ you. I work hard to swallow it fast and then if I get some of the taste it just makes me want to spit it out!

 

[missT]

Hi tiffany, I just stopped cold turkey...don't ask...I am not too bright. My doc told me to taper...I knew i should but i did not listen. i went from 20mg to off. I was on for around 10 days or so. I had terrible headaches for about two days. I was def irritable and could not sleep...walked the house going from bedroom to bedroom...my house is big. After 2 days of this I was fine. Oh, I forgot I was totally moody too.

 

[missT]

Hi tiffany, I just stopped cold turkey...don't ask...I am not too bright. My doc told me to taper...I knew i should but i did not listen. i went from 20mg to off. I was on for around 10 days or so. I had terrible headaches for about two days. I was def irritable and could not sleep...walked the house going from bedroom to bedroom...my house is big. After 2 days of this I was fine. Oh, I forgot I was totally moody too.

 

[missT]

Hi tiffany, I just stopped cold turkey...don't ask...I am not too bright. My doc told me to taper...I knew i should but i did not listen. i went from 20mg to off. I was on for around 10 days or so. I had terrible headaches for about two days. I was def irritable and could not sleep...walked the house going from bedroom to bedroom...my house is big. After 2 days of this I was fine. Oh, I forgot I was totally moody too.