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My Prednisone Withdrawal Rant...

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Posted 4/29/2010 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
I thought I was finally off and got down to 2.5 mg a day for 2 weeks and then none. On the third day body pain and a little shaky and itching as well? Oh, I also may be losing my mind!

So I went back to the 2.5 on every third day. The question is should I:

1) keep going with this type sequence, every 4 days, then 5 days etc.
2) Try to break the pill down as close as I can to 1 mg day maybe for a couple of weeks.
3) Man up and tough out the withdrawal.

PS. I've been on varying doses from 80 mg to 5 mg over the past seven years. But I'd have to say that the majority of that time has been at 5 to 10 mg.

Don't tell me to talk to my gastro. She said that when you get down to 2.5 it's a crap shoot and suggested that I actually consult my peers on HW.

So, what did you guys do when you got down this low?

Thanks...
Posted 4/29/2010 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
Maybe you need to go even more slowly--1mg a day like you said. They do make them in that size if you want to get another prescription
Posted 4/30/2010 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I split my 2.5mg in half and after I do a week at 1.25mg, I will do 1.25 every other day. smilewinkgrin   Seems a little neurotic but that's what my doctor said to do and I trust her, I've had better luck when I listen to her. Maybe you should drop the dose very slowly...
Posted 4/30/2010 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
I took prednisone for 5+ years for varying doses (5-60mg). I went cold turkey after reducing to 5mg and I was practically dead/irritable for 3-4 days. I slept for 14 hrs and was super agitated the rest of the day. If I had to do it again Id taper off slower and after 5mg try 2.5 every other day, then every 3 days and so forth until my body adjusted to it..
Posted 4/30/2010 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
When I peeled away from prednisone I got lots of anxiety throughout my torso. The one symptom I remember most is the horrible itching that could only be relieved by anti-anxiety meds. I went through a constellation of those anxiety related symptoms that I attribute to pred withdrawal. Within few weeks or month, the symptoms went away.... later I started on Zyprexa, which relieves anxiety I have in general over symptoms returning.
Posted 4/30/2010 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
You should do alternating of your dosage, 2.5, 1, 2.5, 1,2.5, 1.....for whatever time, then at 1, 1, 1,...for whatever time, then 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 0, for whatever time...then off.

I say the whatever time because 2 weeks might be the magic number or one month...

q
Posted 5/8/2010 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Festeris

You need to come down by 1/2 a mg a month.  Sounds silly, but you are at a critical point and the significance of even a tiny drop in pred should never be underestimated.

Get some 1mg pills as soon as you can.  And always alternate for at least a week with each drop.

I had itching as well.  It was awful. You will just have to bear it.

Also, get your cortisol level tested at 9AM - and dont take any pred before the test.  You will then find out if your adrenals are making sufficient cortisol.  If they are not, you will have to stop the taper for a while.

Good luck

 

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