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Weaning off steroids

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Posted 1/15/2009 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

I have recently had a mini flare-up.  I was in so much pain I went to see an emergency doctor (not my usual doctor and didn't seem to know what she was doing) who has put me on steroids (prednisilone tablets).  However she gave me 5 days of 30mg and that's it. 

I was very surprised because whenever I have been on steroids before I have always been weaned off of them.  I have always gone down 5mg each week, 30mg, 25mg, 20mg.. and so on.  I checked with her if I should definitely just come off them straight away after the 5 days and she said that was absolutely fine.

Please can someone tell me if this is ok as I am a bit worried because I thought it was dangerous to come off steroids without being weaned off them. I have extra leftover from when I have taken them before and don't know if I should just wean them off of them myself.

Hope someone can help!!!!

x

Posted 1/15/2009 10:42 PM (GMT 0)
I am not sure about the five day thing but I can tell you I had to go down slowly when I was on pred tablets. However, I was on them for three months...I would 100% call your regular doctor and ask his or her advice.
Posted 1/16/2009 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
I am not sure about the 5 day thing either, but i think i have read that unless you are on it longer than 2 weeks you don't need to taper? I would check with your doctor as well just to make sure.
Posted 1/16/2009 6:51 AM (GMT 0)

There are actually prednisone packs, kindav like the z-packs(antibiotics), that wean you off automatically.  I guess some docs have differing views on prednisone weaning etc.  I think you are probably right in that  it was for 5 days and not a longer period of time.  Also remeber ER docs are not like your GI or regular doc, they think more short term fix and get out of my ER.(but you got to have them).  Hope you are feeling better.

------------------------------------------------

yuckygut

diagnosed 1998

now off prednisone and colazal

drink 1 Haldi daily to remain in remission

Posted 1/16/2009 7:50 AM (GMT 0)
It sounds like the emergency doctor was just trying to patch you up until you had a chance to see your regular doctor. You shouldn't suffer any serious side effects from not tapering off a 5-day treatment of Prednisone. I've read that short term use (under 7 days) does not require tapering, although tapering after taking the medication for more than 3 days is advantages to avoid development of minor symptoms of steroid withdrawal [from short-term use].

I do find it upsetting if a doctor does not take the time to explain things. Perhaps the doctor (being used to providing short-term treatments) is not used to patients having to taper off the medicine and that's why he/she gave no explanations.
Posted 1/16/2009 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your help. It's so hard to contact my consultant though which is why I had to go to the a&e in the first place. Takes a few weeks to book a rushed appointment at least unless I am absolutely dying - and I don't think I could suffer the pain until then! Stupid NHS system!!
Posted 1/16/2009 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
I think she's was giving you a "starter" to hold you over until you saw your GI over the next few days. I don't think the ER gives "long term" prescriptions, I've only ever been give a week of anything. A good ER doc will call the on-call for that office and set something up with YOUR GI for the next day. So if you GI didn't want you on Prednisone, they could change you over to your normal course of treatment.
Posted 1/16/2009 3:55 PM (GMT 0)

I agree with the others -  call your regular doctor's office to get his/her opinion. 

On a side note talk to your doctor and see if it okay to just call the office (vs getting an appointment) next time you are having problems.  My doctor told me just to call his office and talk to his nurse whenever I'm having problems.  His nurse usually runs interference between me and the Dr and will call in a script without me actually having to get in to see him.  Kind of nice because as well all know, getting in to see a gastro doc is darn near impossible!!  


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