side effects while tapering down prednisone
Posted , 11 users are following.
I was wondering if other people get the side effects I feel when lowering prednisone. I am trying to lower 1 mg per month and am having trouble getting past 9mgs. On my second day of tapering I get all fuzzy minded, very tired and do not feel like doing anything, this continues on for about 1 week, not improving, then I give up and up the dose to 9mgs again. I thought 1 mg would not make such a difference to my feelings. The pain in legs and arms seem to be quite mild, not troubling me at all, just this feeling of malaise I cannot seem to shake off.
0 likes, 22 replies
kitsalley track
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I don't have the energy I had before PMR. Not sure if it's related to PMR or meds at this point. Recently, bad headaches have been a problem and I am watching carefully for GCA but I don't think that's the problem. Wonderfing if it's side effect of tapering. I'm not fuzzy but often don't feel like doing anything but mostly because of the discomfort of the PMR.
lodgerUK_NE track
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FlipDover_Aust track
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track FlipDover_Aust
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Hope you are keeping well, thanks. T
lodgerUK_NE track
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track FlipDover_Aust
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found the DSNS method and have started to follow it from yesterday, will let you know how I progress.
Hope you are keeping well. T
track lodgerUK_NE
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Thank you for the link to DSNS, have started on it as from yesterday, will let you know my progress.
Thanks, T
FlipDover_Aust track
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Flutterbie57 lodgerUK_NE
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lodgerUK_NE Flutterbie57
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debbie27473 track
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Hi. This is my third try at tapering. Like you I gave up after one week on my first two attempts to get below ten. Then my rheummy explained that it takes two weeks for the body to adjust to each new dose below 10mgs. I am now down to 3.5mgs a day! The fatigue is a nightmare and the discomfort in my arms/shoulders is pretty bad for that first two weeks but then settles a bit. Try to persevere as don't know about you but I've now been diagnosed with several other serious conditions due to the pred including, diabetes, copd and kidney disease. Very frightening so coming off pred has become the main priority. Good luck, Debbie x
Anhaga debbie27473
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Exactly. The key really is being able to recognize the difference between pred withdrawal and PMR flare. So far it's been pred withdrawal for me, but I continue to feel PMR "niggles" most of the time. I agree it's important to get pred dose as low as possible, not least because we want our body to start producing its own hormones again. I found fatigue at 7 and 5 mg very difficult to get through. I'm still not nearly as energetic as I used to be, but the fatigue itself isn't as bad. Although today for some reason I just want to lie around. Could be the heat. We aren't getting a chance to adapt. We get days of record-breaking heat, then suddenly it cools off (had the coldest day on record for the date about a week ago!) and we have to get used to chilliness all over again. Then another spell of hot weather. Climate change.
Mrs.Mac-Canada track
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Hi, I seems that getting past 10mg is a challenge for many. I believe the pros say that an increase in symptoms over a few days means it's a flare, if the symptoms begin to ease after a few days or week it is withdrawl. Maybe a smaller decrease would be helpful.
Take a look at the 2 methods that Lodger has sent you the link for and try them. I have had 3 flares in the past 3+ years. The last one I went from 4mg (trying for 3 1/2) back to 10mg. This time I have decreased even slower than the DSNS method and am at 5mg which I will stay at for few months because my adrenals aren't kicking in yet. No one wants to be on prednisone but we need to manage the inflammation since it not only causes stiffness and pain but other more serious problems to our health.
Fatigue is the worst symptom of PMR for me. I have found it is important to listen to your body, slow down (which sometimes I think is a lesson this disorder is meant to teach us) and enjoy the many things you can do.
I hope you find the best method of decreasing that works for you soon.
Hugs,
Diana
track Mrs.Mac-Canada
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Track x
Flutterbie57 track
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FlipDover_Aust Flutterbie57
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are you folowing the 'dead slow, nearly stop' regime? it can 'trick' the body into a lower dose.
Flutterbie57 FlipDover_Aust
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