Steroid reduction.
Posted , 4 users are following.
Hi it's me again still reducing steroids gradually but since the previous reduction in October now down to 5 I still have the aches and muscular pains.it is worse in my knees particularly when I stand from sitting. Feel very stiff when walking and shoulders and even fingers ache. It's a brilliant drug but absolute hell to come off I was on 40mg sometimes more for 5 years. Can anyone else relate to the pains in the knees and legs. I wish you all a happy healthy 2017 and for fellow reduces let's hang in there together. So grateful for your support.
0 likes, 8 replies
jkprednisolone ann26722
Posted
I totally relate, I still have leg pains (less severe) at 1mg/day. I had sore elbows, not fingers, hey ho! Well done on coming down so far. Hope this is your final year on steroids
ann26722 jkprednisolone
Posted
Thank you so much for this. Was it painful for you when standing up. Well done to you down to one. It's going to take a year getting off completely. Hope my weight will be in control by then
jkprednisolone ann26722
Posted
Yes. It was worst when I stood up having been sitting down. It's worse because my sofa is very low
jill18540 ann26722
Posted
Hi Ann
I started a discussion a couple of months ago about Prednisolone withdrawal symptoms and wonder if you've seen it because it really has given me a great deal of information and such lovely people replied to me so that i didn't feel I was going mad!
I have had exactly the same problems with aching knees, like you worst on standing, and also the legs as well. Sometimes my fingers ache as well but mainly my legs. It just goes on and on and seems to get worse at night although I don't know why!
I went to my consultant recently and told him and he did lots of blood tests but, of course, they are all normal. i am down to 0.5 mg a day now and am still getting the aching and pains but am hoping that when I get off them completely (next week I hope!) it will start to stabilise. However, i do know that you can continue to have the withdrawal symptoms for months even once yoiu've finished so am just keeping my fingers crossed.
Good luck and all the best for 2017
Jill
ann26722 jill18540
Posted
zss ann26722
Posted
Ann, what you have described, is exactly what I experienced and will continue until the tapering off is complete.
What you are experiencing is the "mask" of the Prednisolone anti-inflamatory properties coming off and exposing you to pre-existing conditions such as arthritis, muscular pain and anything like pinched nerves etc.
When I was tapering off from 50mg, all my joints ached, everything. I have chronic arthritis all over my body but mainly in my right knee, sternum, back and hands. As the Prednisolone ebbed away these joints were no longer being protected and so I felt the full force of the arthritis.
What you are missing now, is the body's own natural production of Cortisol. It is a natural anti-inflamatory. Prednisolone has caused the body to lower it's production of Cortisol and it will take time for the body to wind production of Cortisol back up to normal levels. This condition is either referred to as an Addisonian Crisis or an Adrenal Crisis.
Other effects of an Adrenal Crisis is severe fatigue.
Consult your doctor first, but pain killers may help. I took them when there were days where the pain was out of control.
I sincerely wish everyone all the best for 2017. We all have to hope that things will get even a little bit better than they are now. What else is there otherwise.
zss ann26722
Posted
I forgot to mention, Ann, it is very important to keep to a strict tapering off regime at the low levels.
Do not think that small amounts of Prednisolone will be easier to reduce than the higher levels. It's all about the rate of change, not the actual phyisical amounts of the drug you are reducing.
ann26722
Posted
Thank you all so much for your symptoms and coping ideas. Thank god for this site it's such a relief to know I'm experiencing the normal symptoms.