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Prednisone and Energy Level

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/11/2014 1:25 PM (GMT 0)
Couple of questions!  I'm coming down Prednisone -- been on it since January -- On 10 mil. per day -- do I have to go to .5 or can I go straight from the 10 to 0?  Also, as I'm coming off Prednisone, I'm finding that my energy level is zapped.  Anyone experience that?
Posted 7/11/2014 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
I would do 10 every other day for a while. How are you doing?
Posted 7/11/2014 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
I'm always zapped for energy at that stage of tapering. I find it takes me a month or so to get back to normal energy.
Posted 7/11/2014 2:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hello I have just started a course of the same steroid 40mg a week then taper 5mg a week until I get to 20mg stay at this for two weeks then tapper again 5mg until eventual finish.

I am also taking 4.8mg of asacol (5ASA) a day. Was recently diagnosed with Pancolitis have been taking the pred for nearly two weeks and feel like a new man fully formed stools once a day. does this usually work this quick?

I have however found it quite difficult to concentrate at times and have become quite forgetful, a little bit not with it, is this usual?

Energy levels seem to be ok as I am going out walking or for a bike ride most days but this is the first time I have ever taken a steroid. Eating well as well as taking VSL and phyllum husk.
Posted 7/11/2014 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
From 10, go to 5 for a week, and then 5 every other day for two weeks.
Posted 7/11/2014 5:23 PM (GMT 0)
Bez: Yes, forgetfulness and brain fog are symptoms of prednisone. Please remember that prednisone can work great but only while you are on it. Hopefully your Asacol, VSL, and Psyllium Husk will keep you in remission once you taper off the pred. I would stay on all three forever at some dosage. You might be able to cut the Asacol back to the maintenance dose of 2.4 grams per day but I would never go lower than that. It is important to stay in remission because future flares often get harder and harder to treat, requiring worse and worse meds because what worked before often won't work again or work as well. Much better to take Asacol every day for the rest of your life than to have to go up the med ladder because you got cocky.
Posted 7/11/2014 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm down to 5mg. every other day for two weeks, next Thursday will be last one, \o/ been on Pred since late January started at 40mg. tapered to 20mg. over first month.

This was my two month taper schedule from 20mg., 15mg. (3x5mg. tabs a day) for two weeks, 10mg. for 2 weeks, 5mg. for 2 weeks and now 5mg every other day for two weeks.
Posted 7/11/2014 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Bez you can forget with predisinole and lack of focus.it is a strong med so does work well and quick think it depends really. Reporter I was getting tired but once off the predisinole you will feel better. I think
Posted 7/14/2014 8:07 AM (GMT 0)
Ok thanks for all the advice people. I am so glad that I found this site it has been a wealth of knowledge and is really helping me to understand this condition and my body.

Thank you to you all.
Posted 7/16/2014 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
I tapered from 40 mg/daily start to 2.5 mg/daily over a 3-month period per gastro's advice. Then I needed to take 2.5 mg on a few days in the next month (on my own initiative) while transitioning to oral mesalamine caps. Gastro was happy to hear that my improvising worked out! RE energy level: Pred at starting dose gives one a false high; you may feel up to running a 3-minute mile while your colon still needs extra rest in order to heal fully. / Old Hat (33 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
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