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Tapering Prednisone!!! What should I expect?

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Posted 6/5/2009 8:05 PM (GMT 0)
I've been taking prednisone since late February.  Started at 40mg then tapered down to 20mg.  Had a reaction to 6MP so I held steady at 20mg until I could get thru the first 2 Remicade infusions.  This week I have started tapering again, now at 15mg, and I'm just curious as to what I might expect.  I've noticed more joint pain this week (its been rainy though) and I am shedding hair at about 5x the normal amount.  Is this normal?  I think I read somewhere on here before about someone loosing hair during their pred taper but I can't seem to find it now.

 

Posted 6/5/2009 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
I lost MOST of my hair the last time I tapered off Prednisone and for quite a while after I was done with it. My docs did all kinds of blood tests to make sure it wasn't anything else. Chalk it up to the Prednisone was the final story.

After really hating the way I looked, I did a lot of research into vitamins and minerals and hair. I'm taking Biotin, now, a B vitamin, 5 milligrams per day. B vitamins are safe, even in "megadoses" like that because they can't build up in our bodies, if there is extra, we just pee them out. My hair grew back REALLY fast. I'm wondering what will happen when I get off the Prednisone this time around.

Jen
Posted 6/6/2009 1:20 AM (GMT 0)

I started 40 mg. on Feb. 1, down to 30 and then 20.  Stayed there a couple weeks and now down to 10 mg.  I have white hair (I am a senior) and have not noticed any hair loss YET!  Hope I don't.  Tapering did cause some joint pain to return (it was so good for the arthritis at 40 mg.).  Also, you lose that prednisone energy - darn!  I am hoping to get off it entirely after seeing the specialist on June 18.

ElaineNY

Posted 6/6/2009 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
     Smalls.....I loss hair on the 6MP.  Try Nioxin.  You can purchase it from your hair dresser.  It  may take a few months but you will notice your hair improving.  Good luck!
Posted 6/6/2009 8:32 AM (GMT 0)
I tapered off of Prednisone too quickly and got a taste of what it is like for people who have arthritis-- joint pain in my hands. My joints also sounded like popping corn when I walked down the stairs. It was scary.
Posted 6/8/2009 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
   I get massive headaches no matter how slow I taper.  I also have hair loss after steroid use (pred. or Entocort) for a few weeks.  Now I know what to expect and always make my GI give me some Lortab to have on hand for the withdrawal headaches. 
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