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Prednisone taper

Posted , 5 users are following.

1989Girl
1989Girl

Help! I need advice-

I am tapering off prednisone .5 mg every 2 weeks. I'm down to 5.5 mg and I don't feel well...my muscles ache all over and I must be clenching my jaw in my sleep because it hurts to chew food.

people experienced with tapering- how important is it that I stay at my exact same dosage of prednisone every single day for the 2 weeks? For example, can I rotate back and forth between 5.5 and 6 mg or does that confuse the body more? Or maybe I should just push through this hard amount and rest more?

Any advice on your prednisone taper dos and dont's is appreciated!

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • barrie37184
    barrie37184 1989Girl

    Posted

    Predisolene is an easy answer for docters they are not the answer for athritus
  • Kelly1225
    Kelly1225 1989Girl

    Posted

    Hi.... I have tapered off of prednisone several times and maintaining a schedule is important.  Plus, everyday I feel different regardless of the medication.  Some days are a lot better or worse than others.  It's matter of how you feel over time and are you getting better.  - Kelly

     

    • 1989Girl
      1989Girl Kelly1225

      Posted

      Thanks, it's nice to hear similar experiences. I sometimes think I'm crazy/it's all in my head.

  • Guest
    Guest 1989Girl

    Posted

    Hi there. I was tapering down 1mg every 2 weeks and that seemed to have gone well. My doctor said its more something that's taken in the longer term. He said you can take 2mg and nothing on alternating days instead of trying to break the tablet in 2. Best to see what your doctor says though

  • bill92494
    bill92494 1989Girl

    Posted

    Hello,

    I have had two experiences with Prednisone with the exception of several steroid injections. The first use of prednisone pills thirty years ago did absolutely nothing. The second use of the pills seemed to work for a few weeks until I noticed I was getting very verbally angry with my dog. She left my room with her tail between her legs. I knew then that I had to stop, so I talked with my doctor about how I should taper.

    I did that and have since tried other meds; Humira (nothing), Cosentyx (nothing), Otezla (made me depressed), and now Remicade (seems to work very well).

    Regarding your jaws, please be careful! I had to have both TMJs replaced five years ago. Avoid jewing gum! Have you considered a bite guard for the evening when you are sleeping? What about exercises (isometric and all the rest)? I found that keeping active was, besides the drugs, the best treatment I did; such as swimming, hill-bounding, cross-country skiing, and bicycling, All the herbal and food diets, and acupuncture did not help.

    I hope this information helps you!

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