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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 3/13/2012 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
I have been taking prednisone for 5 years. My new RA dr. wants me to wean off 1 mg per month. Since I started doing this I am so sick to my stomach, very very dizzy, super tired that I have been in bed most of the time. It has been maybe a week. At the same time he started me on Cymbalta for Fibro so I am not sure which med is making me feel this awful. I am just wondering if it from reducing prednisone. Seems like withdrawals. If I knew I would feel better I would hang in there. Thank you.
Posted 3/14/2012 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hi!  Welcome here!

Sorry that you are going through this.  Some of us differ in our results of going on drugs and coming off of them.  The diseases themselves cause us more fatigue than usual since our bodies are being attacked.  My Rheumy suggests a couple of naps a day for me, when needed. 

I've been weaning off Pred. also for a few weeks from 7 mgs.  I am not feeling any more tired(I'm almost always tired).  When I hit 4.5mgs. the pain came back with force, so I went back up a bit and now back down at 5mgs. which seems okay for now.  I've been on Pred. this last time for 6 years.  More fatigue wasn't the issue but pain was. 

I can't say for sure what is causing your new symptoms but by reading up on Cymbalta(I haven't been on it), I see that some of the common side effects are what you are experiencing. 

  • dry mouth

  • drowsiness

  • tired feeling

  • mild nausea or loss of appetite

    • Other things can cause these also, of course.  Perhaps others will have more info on this.  I do hope that you feel better soon. wink

    Posted 3/14/2012 1:20 AM (GMT 0)
    Thank you! I was wondering if Cymbalta might be making me feel so yucky. Today I had to double my dose which I probably shouldn't have done while feeling this yucky. The thing is that I was actually feeling the best that I had been feeling in 5 years and then my old RA dr. left and the new one switched and added meds. Anyway, thanks for your reply!!!!
    Posted 3/14/2012 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
     

    Wow, you doubled it?  If the symptoms are really making you feel bad then you should let your Dr. know.  Usually when starting some new meds, it can cause temporary/minor symptoms that make us feel unwell for a couple days or a week or so and then we feel better.  That is unfortunate that your new Dr. changed your meds when you were feeling good.  Weird!  eyes Yw!

    Posted 3/14/2012 12:41 PM (GMT 0)
    I have been off of pred for about 3 weeks or so and I was on 10mg for many months. I have to say I don't feel so good myself shakehead I have had terrible joint pain, nausea, an itchy rash, and just yucky feeling in general. I think it will pass in time.  At least you are tapering slowly.  It could be your other med, I am not familiar with fibro, so sorry! If you continue to feel the way you do, maybe ask you doctor, just to be on the safe side.
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