HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

prednisone

Support Forums
>
Fibromyalgia
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/15/2015 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Has anyone here ever taken Prednisone for a long period of time (Im talking years) - what dosage and did you ever wean yourself off and if so how did you do that and what were side effects?

Thank you
Posted 12/15/2015 10:44 AM (GMT 0)
I suggest checking out adrenal forums if no one can help here. The moderators at thd Adrenal Insufficiencies board at MDJunction are good. I think BobBob has taught miniclasses on adrenal info to nurses. ButtonButton is great too. Dont know if they are still there or if they can help. Adrenal patients need replacement cortisol sometimes, and that is one thing prednisone does.
Posted 12/23/2015 8:24 AM (GMT 0)
I feel for you, honestly prednisone is my swarn enemy, I was told to take it as a taper for 2 weeks recently to rule out other auto immune diseases and I have never felt so sick in my life. I hope you find some relief and answers.
Posted 12/26/2015 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi! I'm new here, I'm Sarah, and I can tell you, as someone that has suffered asthma most of my life, and been on long term doses of Prenisone (Prednisolone here in Australia) that if you have been on it for years you are looking at a very long, very slow taper. Right now I'm on 10mg, have been on that dose for a few months again and to taper down I would do 4 weeks @ 7.5mg, 4 @ 5mg, 4 @2.5, 4 @ 1mg.

But consult with a Dr, as everyone is different, but if you don't taper slow you run the risk of adrenal issues. Prednisone is basically cortisol, which is released when the body is stressed. Tapering off too fast or not tapering can result in adrenal exhaustion - severe fatigue, weakness, aches and pains, joint pain. There is also an effect on the immune system, and the time you need to taper is dependent on a few other factors, like if you are being treated for anything else, and any other medications you might be taking. You also need to take into account the effect discontinuance might have on the condition they are being used to treat.

I hope this helps.

Sarah
Posted 12/26/2015 1:58 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, and side effects, can range but for long term use the withdrawal can be weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain. Asthma and allergy can seem to worsen for a short period if it is used to control it. The same can be said for Arthritic conditions.

The full list (from the pillbox) is:

Weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which can lead to fluid and electrolyte abnormalities), and abdominal pain are common. Blood pressure can become too low, leading to dizziness or fainting. Blood sugar levels may drop. Women also may note menstrual changes.

Less often, joint pain, muscle aches, fever, mental changes, or elevations of calcium may be noted. Decrease in gastrointestinal contractions can occur, leading to dilation of the intestine (ileus).

Hope this helps

Sarah
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply