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How long does the effects of prednisone last?

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Posted 5/13/2017 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I was on Predinsone for 60mg for 5 days And a 10 day taper for a total of 15 days. I stopped taking it on 4/1 today is 5/13 and ever since then I still have a hard time sleeping and weight gain. How long will this last? My dr said that after the last dose I should have been fine and that it will "work its self out" but it hasn't.
Posted 5/13/2017 7:56 PM (GMT 0)
Prednisone stays in your body 24 hours or less
Posted 5/14/2017 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
That's what I thought and that is what my dr said. But other people are telling me the effects can last for months after you stop taking it.
Posted 5/14/2017 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
weight gain can take a while to un-gain. The sleep thing is likely just anxiety about being ill. Maybe you rythms are off and some Melatonin before bed can help.
Posted 5/15/2017 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Immunosuppresants like prednisone affect everyone differently, but although the drug's half life is only 2-4hrs- side effects can still be experienced months after tapering. Your body's metabolism, vitamin/mineral absorption, bone density can all be thwarted.
The main issue for me was hypertension and adrenal fatigue. What helped was decreasing my sodium and sugar intake, drinking herbal teas known to help stimulate adrenal/hormonal function and increasing my intake of vitamin supplements. It took about 3 months for me to start feeling "normal" again after stopping prednisone, although keep in mind I started at 60mg a day and for more than 4 months.

Post Edited (Natof9) : 5/15/2017 7:36:52 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/15/2017 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
Pred might leave your body after 24 hours, but I have definitely noticed longer term effects after tapering off. The last time I was on it, I was on 30mg for 9mo and then tapered down 5mg/week. The weight came off very slowly, it actually took more than a year to get back to *almost* my pre-pred weight. Moonface lasted for at least a month, and my appetite and mood were also slow to return to normal. So you're definitely not alone in experiencing this. I'd give yourself several months to readjust, and stay watchful of your sleep and eating habits. It may just be that we get used to staying up till midnight and eating 6 meals a day, so we have to retrain our body to a new rhythm.
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