side effect of 20mg prednisone - can it be this severe after ONLY two days (I.e. severe fatigue, o

Posted , 7 users are following.

I had post nasal congestion that led to a severe sore throat ultil finally losing my voice one week ago, tomorrow. I went to a Vanderbilt walk in clinic at which time I received a steroid injection and then started prednisone 20 mgs twice a day=40mg a day, taken last Saturday and Sunday ONLY (prescribed for 7 days). The side effects are horrible and I called to see if I could come off the drug on Monday. They told me yes AND without any tapering, just cold turkey. That was Monday and today is Thursday and I feel worse than I did then. I called Vanderbilt walk-in clinic the doctor returned my call on Tuesday afternoon and told me it was the side effects of the medication and it should subside after 4 to 5 days... why does it seem like it's getting worse? Should I go to the hospital it is sure there's not something else wrong

1 like, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    Other symptoms include: tingling in my limbs (almost flu like, but not exactly...I've had a flu shot, so not the flu), eyes have been hurting/irritated and my eye whites are really white, irritability, anxiety, depression, extremely low energy, etc.
  • Posted

    Impy, do you have polymyalgia, which is why those of us in this forum post about prednisone?  Might it be pharyngitis?  I don't know whether the dose given for your particular symptoms is appropriate or not.  If you have not been on prednisone before you should be fine qutting after only one week, but much longer than that you would have needed to taper. 
    • Posted

      I'm new to this site and may have posted in the wrong place? Searched on prednisone I believe and likely landed here. Sorry...I'll try to figure out where to post....as far as the right forum. Thx
  • Posted

    Yes at 40mg a day you can get pretty nasty side effects from prednisone. You are lucky that you do not need to continue. As Anhaga says if you have only been taking steroids a week or two you can just stop and do not need to taper. I hope you get sorted out.
    • Posted

      Thank you...I do too. I'm miserable. Just talked to the Pharmacist...she said it's really not all that high of a dosage to prescribe comparatively to those who are on it for maintenance purposes who typically take much lower doses. She recommended trying heavy doses of vitamin c. We will see. Thank you!
    • Posted

      Please let us know how you make out.  Hope you are feeling better today.
  • Posted

    Hello,

    I went on the same dose for the same amount of time on the same days and everything just like you and thats why I am here on this site. I hate to see anyone else going through the same thing I am but I am also relieved to see it too. I have had episodes of feeling out of my body too...just really weird feeling. I am hoping it gets better soon too! Good luck!

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.