Short Term Prednisone
Posted , 3 users are following.
I am 65 year old Indian from South India, living in US since 17 years. About 8 months back(Nov 2019) I was prescribed Prednisone 20 mg, twice daily for 5 days. After about 8-10 days I was advised to take 20 mg for 8 days and tapered to 10 mg. But my skin problems got really worse and it was stopped again. I took Methylprednisone - 24, 20, 16,12,8 & 4 mg for 4 days each dosage. This is almost 5 1/2 months since I stopped. Can my tiredness, thighs/leg aches(not pains) could be because of this? I was also on Losartan, a blood pressure med which I started on the same day. My blood pressure med always saps me. After stopping Metpred on 31 Jan I continued with Losartan for 4 more months. 2 to 2 1/2 months after I stopped Metpred I started getting weak from and it is now very bad. I have calf/thigh aches(not pains) even when I wake up. Could Prd/Metpred for the short duration I took be one of the reasons for my extreme weakness?
Is my Pred/Metpred intake large enough to cause any significant side effect?
0 likes, 5 replies
PeterAK Nanja
Edited
I do think your Pred/Metpred intake is large enough to cause a significant side effect. They gave me about a third of that on a tapered dose and we are now trying to avoid spinal surgery (Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis).
I think they may have tapered you too fast and you may have to go back on at very low dose (4-8 mg?) and then taper out very slowly. I've tapered several drugs, usually starting at faster taper slowing as I get toward the bottom, and then I taper by feel. I reduce the dosage a little and then wait until things feel better, and then do it again. The secret is not to get in a rush. From what I know talking to people on long-term prednisone it may take months. You may have to taper one mg at a time near the bottom.
I lesson I learned the hard way was never start two drugs on the same day. That way when one causes problems you know which one it is. If your losartan is giving you problems you could try a different generic by using a different pharmacy or if your insurance allows go to brand name.
You can check drug ingredients at the US National Library of Medicine https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm . I work hard at keeping the side effects of my drugs under control and the pharmacies spend their time making it difficult by changing brands all the time.
Nanja PeterAK
Posted
Thanks PeterAK and peggy_56092.
I recently took, knowing the risks. My derma proposed Methotrexate or Acetretin. After looking at their side effects I took a chance for one ladt time with Prednisone. Dosage 30 4days, 25/4 days, 20/4 days, 15/4 days, 10/ 4 days, 5/4 days, 2.5/4 days, 1.75/4 days and 1/4 days. That makes it 441 mg over 36 days, averaging 12.5 mg/day. Would this be considered too long or too much. it has started to give blisters like last time. Then my derma started again on Pred, which got worse. She made me take Taltz 4 doses over 3 weeks. That covered ever part of my body with blisters and what not. This time I plan to ride it out with patience. I am saying that now but don't know what I will do when things get worse. Hoping for some relief.
peggy_56092 Nanja
Posted
If you have taken prednisone for a long time as you may have, your adrenal glands cease to function. You cannot immediately stop but must gradually reduce to give your body time to re-adjust. I started at 15 mgs and have finally got to 3 mgs after 5 years of PMR. I reduce at 1/2 mgs that takes about a month and then reduce again if my body feels that I am ready.
peggy_56092
Posted
The PMR site (Polymyalgia Rheumatica) has a listed how to taper prednisone slowly.
PeterAK Nanja
Posted
I wonder if you are having some sort of allergic reaction. Some people are very successful with prednisone and some are not. I am one that was not, and I have a lifetime ban from all glucocorticoids. Things just don't sound right to me. Maybe a second opinion is called for at this time.