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Posted 8/12/2016 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, new to the site, it's nice to see something like this. I have been put on 50mg of prednisone for 14 days. After the 14 days I was to quit cold turkey. I went for a routine check up on the 14 day and my doctor was away and I saw another. The other Doctor freaked and said "you can't just quit, you must tapper down. So, I'm down to 10 mg a day as of yesterday. The tapering was 40mg for 3 days than 30 x3, 25 x3, 20 x3, 15x 3, 10 x3, 5 x3. Done. My question is, does this sound like a normal tappering? I don't trust any of the medical professionals in my area.
Posted 8/12/2016 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
It's a very fast taper, but better than stopping 50mg cold turkey after two weeks - that is dreadful advice. There is a real risk of triggering an adrenal crisis if you stop steroids abruptly after being on them for a few weeks. Even if you avoid that, you will still feel like utter, utter crap.

The taper that I've always done is 40mg for 7 days, followed by a 5mg drop every 7 days until I reach 0. It takes 8 weeks in total. That's standard for the UK, but it seems pretty similar in the US from what I've seen of other people's taper schedules.
Posted 8/12/2016 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I'll see. I feel really weird now that I've dropped to 10mg as of yesterday. I have felt weird anyway but it's different today. Chest pains almost like heartburn woke me but it's not heartburn. And I'm light headed and almost tunnel vision. Maybe it's just normal side affects. I'm Leary of going for medical attention as it has been a complete nightmare for me. Thanks so much for your input. :)
Posted 8/12/2016 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
You might want to slow down this taper as it is pretty darn fast, especially given what you describe above. Prednisone has strong affects on the body and you don't want to rush things and find yourself with strong withdrawal and/or other complications that could land you in urgent care/hospital.
Posted 8/12/2016 2:16 PM (GMT 0)
Off to emerg. Tks for the tips .
Posted 8/12/2016 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
yeah, for oral pred I too have had 40mg for one week, followed by tapering down by 5mg every week after that.

when I was on IV steroids, I was on 400mg hydrocortisone a day for about 10 days, then they spent 3 days crashing me off them in a really fast taper. No adrenal problems, though my colitis flared up a lil after that, but there were mitigating circumstances that meant we didn't have an oral course or a slower taper.
Posted 8/12/2016 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
maybe you should go south there northern - that first doc needs to find a job where he has no contact with people - he's a threat !
Posted 8/13/2016 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
50 for two weeks with a 5md/step taper is very normal and should not cause any problems.

You do not say way you were on pred, or what else is going on healthwise, so there is no good way to advise you.

The ER may be a waste of time because ther really is not test for pred withdrawal side effects. They will likely give you a physical, check you hears, hydrate, and send you home. Not bad to have but not worth what you are going to pay for it.
Posted 8/15/2016 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
Not a normal taper for a flare. My docs have had me take 40 or 50mg X 4 weeks then taper by 10mg every week for big flare. Now that I've been on pred numerous times, I need to taper 5mg a week. The only time I did a shorter taper was when my doc thought I had a simmering flare of proctitis. Unload the first doc; he's dangerous. Could you provide more info on your dx and current meds?
Posted 8/15/2016 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
I've had different tapering approaches depending on length of time at 50 or 40. 5mg decline every 5 days should be ok if symptoms don't return. Key thing i've found helpful is to go very slowly under 10 mg to give the adrenals a chance to kick in, especially if I've been 6 to 8 wks on Pred.

about the ER, I've gotten excellent advice here not to go unless I feel like I'm in genuine distress. I had a horrible experience there once & don't plan on returning unless it's dire....
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