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Prednisone withdraw

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Posted 11/19/2013 3:03 PM (GMT 0)
I am on Humira 40mg every other week, Lialda, and potassium.
My colonoscopy shows just slight inflammation so we are continuing to decrease my Prednisone.
I am down to 5mg, feeling good, except- I have been getting massive headaches since I dropped to 5mg 2days ago...they start in the evening around 6pm...I can't see straight, I get nauseated, etc...it's like migraine intensity.
I presume it is a withdraw symptom from the Prednisone...what is the typical course of action? Do they increase the prednisone and taper slower, or just power through?
I'm hoping it will disappear once my body adjusts to the lower dose...I really don't want to increase the dose!!!
Posted 11/19/2013 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
Tapering too quickly can cause withdrawal symptoms such as vertigo and headaches. Exactly how long have you been on pred? What is your tapering regiment (e.g., dropping by 5mgs every two weeks)?
Posted 11/19/2013 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
Yes- I know it can cause withdraw symptoms. That's why I am asking...what do they usually do? Increase the dose slightly and then taper slower, or just allow a few days for the body to adjust to the dose?

I was on 80mga month and a half or so ago, and tapered by 10 every two weeks, now I'm tapering by 5...I can't remember the exacts at this point....
Posted 11/19/2013 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
yes poop man, she knows that !

;-)


every doc (if that's who you are referring to when you say "they") will have a different plan - what does yours say regarding your withdrawer symptoms ??
Posted 11/19/2013 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
I see him tomorrow....I just wanted to know what to expect.

And yes...I did know, hence why that was stated in my initial comment, I wasn't looking for validation it was withdrawER symptoms
Posted 11/19/2013 5:27 PM (GMT 0)
Jeesh tough crowd lol. It really depends whether you can stand the withdrawal or not. Wait it out for a few days if you can stand it and your body will adjust and get used to the lower dosage. Increase the dosage a bit if you cannot stand it as that will give you some relief. I'd go back to your last "safe" dosage where you didn't have any issues in that scenario. And then, yeah slow the taper pace down regardless. No issues with going too slow in a taper. However, too fast and whamo withdrawal.

You are at a pretty low dosage and it gets harder as you get closer to zero. Your adrenals should hopefully be waking up soon, and begin producing your own natural steroid since your pred dose is now below what your body naturally makes. If your adrenals don't wake up then you also get withdrawal symptoms, fun stuff.
Posted 11/19/2013 5:39 PM (GMT 0)
I've had really bad withdrawal from Pred about 5 years ago, it was not fun. My symptoms were extreme tiredness, headaches, my hands would shake, no appetite, I was cold and then I was hot and mood swings.

80 mgs is a really high dose, my GI won't go any higher than 60 mgs and he doesn't even like prescribing Pred, he'd rather write a script for an immuno-suppressant than a steroid.

I just had surgery a few weeks ago and the Surgeon tapered me from 40mgs to 10mgs in only 5 days. I was tired but I don't know if that was from surgery or from Pred Withdrawal but it has gone away.

I've heard of some GIs tapering by 1mg per day or every other day once you get below 10mgs (they make 1mg Pills of Pred), this decreases the chances of withdrawal and also re-flaring.

Post Edited (ks1905) : 11/19/2013 10:44:48 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/19/2013 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I have been having the same issues with headaches basically starting at the same time as you. Starts around 6 at night and will have it until I fall asleep. I am currently also tapering off of prednisone, currently at 15mg from 40mg.
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