Posted , 14 users are following.
Tomorrow is day one without my prednisone. I really do feel like I am in remission. I know it could come back but for now 😀. My question is, how long before my body has gotten rid of the prednisone?
1 like, 12 replies
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Babazaga Lindalee77
Posted
Congratulations, Lindalee
After a diagnosis of GCA in July 2016, in December I finally went off Prednisone. As of this moment I am fine; chipmunk cheeks gone and generally good. I have been plagued with uncontrollable images that come unsolicited when I wake in the morning as well as a feeling of anxiety. I originally thought this was a result of the Prednisone---that drug has a myriad of side effects. The images and anxiety have lessened so I am hoping as I get further and further away from the Prednisone they will disappear.
Other good news---arm and leg cramps have disappeared as well as weakness in those limbs. Also my energy level is much better. I can actually work in the garden for more than 10 minutes before feeling nausea. Oh---and the interior plumbing works as it should without noxious fiber supplements.
I mentioned the above in case you've had similar side effects---you can look forward to being rid of them.
Good luck
Poupe Babazaga
Posted
What mg count did you start with to be able to get off Prednisone within a year and a half. Congrats to you and how did you decrease the mg count? Did you reduce a mg at a time or use the dsns method so many use on this site.
Lindalee77 Poupe
Posted
For me it has been just over a year and four months. I didn't know about the slow method until I found this forum. After one of those one week or so prednisone packs I started on 10 mg and had to go to 12.5. I didn't stay there very long. I jumped to 10 and then to 7.5. There was always some pain and those big drops played with my mental state. I then started the slow reduction and things went much better. We will see how things go in a week or so.
Lindalee77 Babazaga
Posted
Babazaga Poupe
Posted
Poupe,
I began at 20 mg when diagnosed in July 2016. Then in October 2016 it was determined that I should have begun with 40 mg so started all over again. Reduced at 5 mg/month until I got to 20 after which i reduced by 1mg/month. (There were a couple of months when the reduction was 2.5mg, but it wasn't for more than two or three months) In retrospect, it felt like the correct method for me as I didn't suffer any of the severe problems I've read about with too quick reduction.
An acquaintance of my daughter was put on Prednisone---she hated the side effects and arbitrarily
stopped. She ended up in the hospital for a long time with mental problems. I don't know what the final outcome was, but her experience was enough for me to go the slow route!
I'm curious---when were you diagnosed and what dose are you on at the moment?
Best wishes!
Babazaga Lindalee77
Posted
Lindalee,
We can both bid a fond farewell to the leg cramps---its so wonderful to stretch in the morning and not fall over with those nasty things! Good luck being Pred-free. The other good news is once Pred-free I didn't have to take the K and Mag and Vit B supplements. I feel almost normal!!! Hope you do too.
mary19068 Lindalee77
Posted
Hi Lindalee77
I've seen on the forum you may experience some withdrawal symptoms such as slight anxiety and high emotion but they won't last long. You may get a return of some pain..i recall a forum member who had bone pain a few weeks after coming off pred but not all get this. Well done for persevering and eventually getting off pred. Hope all goes well for you..
connie28112 Lindalee77
Posted
Lindalee77 connie28112
Posted
It wasn't all always easy and who knows I may end up back on it. There is light at the end of the tunnel.😀
connie28112 Lindalee77
Posted
pauline36422 Lindalee77
Posted
EileenH Lindalee77
Posted
The pred as such is gone in a few days - the left over effects on adrenal function can take up to a year to settle down so you should still carry a steroid card just in case. Most people say it was about a year before they felt really back to "normal".
Good luck - but if you feel PMR-type niggles that don't do away but get worse, don't be in denial. It isn't worth it!!!