Guest guest Posted August 17, 2002 Report Share Posted August 17, 2002 I was wondering if anyone on the list has successfully weaned themselves off of prednisone after being on it for years. My new doctor is very much wanting to get me off of pred as I have been on it for 6 years. I have done very well at my 5mg dose with an occasional 10mg when I have to get through a particularily long day but just the drop to 4mg has me feeling kinda weird. It is like I am somewhat achy, headaches, sore throat (well, more of a scratchy throat) and just kinda depressed I guess, like I do if I happen to forget my dose. It happened a few days after I went down in dose and I don't have a fever or any other symptoms. I assume my body is just getting use to it and that a lower dose is better in the longer run.... BUT Has anyone been successful getting off of prednisone? To me it seems almost impossible! Shandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2002 Report Share Posted August 18, 2002 Hi Shandi, I can't count the number of times I have been on Pred. I wasn't on it years at a time, But I have sucessfully been " weaned " off each time. Keep your chin up you may be surprised at what is possible. Huggs Lena > I was wondering if anyone on the list has successfully weaned themselves off > of prednisone after being on it for years. My new doctor is very much > wanting to get me off of pred as I have been on it for 6 years. I have done > very well at my 5mg dose with an occasional 10mg when I have to get through a > particularily long day but just the drop to 4mg has me feeling kinda weird. > It is like I am somewhat achy, headaches, sore throat (well, more of a > scratchy throat) and just kinda depressed I guess, like I do if I happen to > forget my dose. It happened a few days after I went down in dose and I don't > have a fever or any other symptoms. I assume my body is just getting use to > it and that a lower dose is better in the longer run.... > > BUT > > Has anyone been successful getting off of prednisone? To me it seems almost > impossible! > > Shandi > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2002 Report Share Posted August 18, 2002 Hi Shandi! I've been on pred. for about 3 months now, and at 5mg. I have to up it to 10mg now and then too. I've been on MTX for 8 weeks now, and been trying to wean myself down. I have not been successful either, lots of pain and really bad migraines when I don't take it. My doctor said to take it every other day, but that's not working. I think that's what's giving me the headaches. Yesterday, I took 10mg and felt allot better. I don't know, it's not very encouraging after being on it for such a short time. But I have to remind myself, it's only been 3 months. Give the MTX a chance to really start working. Keep us posted how your doing weaning down. I'm rite here with you! Debbie Mc " No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap. " [ ] Prednisone Weaning I was wondering if anyone on the list has successfully weaned themselves off of prednisone after being on it for years. My new doctor is very much wanting to get me off of pred as I have been on it for 6 years. I have done very well at my 5mg dose with an occasional 10mg when I have to get through a particularily long day but just the drop to 4mg has me feeling kinda weird. It is like I am somewhat achy, headaches, sore throat (well, more of a scratchy throat) and just kinda depressed I guess, like I do if I happen to forget my dose. It happened a few days after I went down in dose and I don't have a fever or any other symptoms. I assume my body is just getting use to it and that a lower dose is better in the longer run.... BUT Has anyone been successful getting off of prednisone? To me it seems almost impossible! Shandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2002 Report Share Posted August 18, 2002 I was on prednisone 6 years also, and tried many times to get off, to no avail. Last summer I wanted to have some surgery done and the only way was if I was off for 2 months (had to quit remicade too). I tell you it was the hardest thing I have ever done, and left me totally bed bound. It took 3 months after surgery until I was well enuff to start remicade. I was wheeled in and walked out of my first treatment. Since then I have done really well untill recently. The last 2 months have been a steady decline for me. But under no circumstance will I go back on it again. too many side effects. Ive mentioned it before, but the surgery was a gastric bypass. I had gained soo much weight behind the predisone I was in grave danger. I ended up 450 pounds. In the 10 months since surgery I have lost over 200 pounds and with the help of a walker am a lot more mobile than before, even when Im flaring. I went down 1/2 a 1mg pill a week. My skin went crazy, I broke out everywhere. I feel it must be similar to someone kicking heroin. Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2002 Report Share Posted August 18, 2002 Wow, Penny. You've lost 200 lbs in 10 months? That's fabulous! You deserve to be congratulated for such an awesome accomplishment. It's also an accomplishment to have gotten off the prednisone. It sounds like it was very difficult. I'm sorry that after all that, you're still having so much pain. Hopefully your flare will subside soon, and you'll be feeling great. You deserve it! Love and hugs, Carol [ ] Re: Prednisone Weaning I was on prednisone 6 years also, and tried many times to get off, to no avail. Last summer I wanted to have some surgery done and the only way was if I was off for 2 months (had to quit remicade too). I tell you it was the hardest thing I have ever done, and left me totally bed bound. It took 3 months after surgery until I was well enuff to start remicade. I was wheeled in and walked out of my first treatment. Since then I have done really well untill recently. The last 2 months have been a steady decline for me. But under no circumstance will I go back on it again. too many side effects. Ive mentioned it before, but the surgery was a gastric bypass. I had gained soo much weight behind the predisone I was in grave danger. I ended up 450 pounds. In the 10 months since surgery I have lost over 200 pounds and with the help of a walker am a lot more mobile than before, even when Im flaring. I went down 1/2 a 1mg pill a week. My skin went crazy, I broke out everywhere. I feel it must be similar to someone kicking heroin. Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2002 Report Share Posted August 18, 2002 Congratulations on getting off the pred. It really is necessary evil at times. My doctor always tried to get me off it just as quickly as possible. Huggs Lena > I was on prednisone 6 years also, and tried many times to get off, to > no avail. Last summer I wanted to have some surgery done and the only > way was if I was off for 2 months (had to quit remicade too). I tell > you it was the hardest thing I have ever done, and left me totally > bed bound. It took 3 months after surgery until I was well enuff to > start remicade. I was wheeled in and walked out of my first > treatment. Since then I have done really well untill recently. The > last 2 months have been a steady decline for me. But under no > circumstance will I go back on it again. too many side effects. Ive > mentioned it before, but the surgery was a gastric bypass. I had > gained soo much weight behind the predisone I was in grave danger. I > ended up 450 pounds. In the 10 months since surgery I have lost over > 200 pounds and with the help of a walker am a lot more mobile than > before, even when Im flaring. > I went down 1/2 a 1mg pill a week. My skin went crazy, I broke out > everywhere. I feel it must be similar to someone kicking heroin. > > Penny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2002 Report Share Posted August 19, 2002 Hi Debbie Mc...I loved your quote " no day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap " Most times, I have found that true...cute...thanks for sharing marge [ ] Prednisone Weaning > > > I was wondering if anyone on the list has successfully weaned themselves off > of prednisone after being on it for years. My new doctor is very much > wanting to get me off of pred as I have been on it for 6 years. I have done > very well at my 5mg dose with an occasional 10mg when I have to get through a > particularily long day but just the drop to 4mg has me feeling kinda weird. > It is like I am somewhat achy, headaches, sore throat (well, more of a > scratchy throat) and just kinda depressed I guess, like I do if I happen to > forget my dose. It happened a few days after I went down in dose and I don't > have a fever or any other symptoms. I assume my body is just getting use to > it and that a lower dose is better in the longer run.... > > BUT > > Has anyone been successful getting off of prednisone? To me it seems almost > impossible! > > Shandi > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 19, 2002 Report Share Posted August 19, 2002 Hi Marge! I liked the quote too, I found it in my calendar diary book and thought it was just perfect for me. Seems a nap does help so much these days. lol Debbie Mc " No day is so bad it can't be fixed with a nap. " [ ] Prednisone Weaning > > > I was wondering if anyone on the list has successfully weaned themselves off > of prednisone after being on it for years. My new doctor is very much > wanting to get me off of pred as I have been on it for 6 years. I have done > very well at my 5mg dose with an occasional 10mg when I have to get through a > particularily long day but just the drop to 4mg has me feeling kinda weird. > It is like I am somewhat achy, headaches, sore throat (well, more of a > scratchy throat) and just kinda depressed I guess, like I do if I happen to > forget my dose. It happened a few days after I went down in dose and I don't > have a fever or any other symptoms. I assume my body is just getting use to > it and that a lower dose is better in the longer run.... > > BUT > > Has anyone been successful getting off of prednisone? To me it seems almost > impossible! > > Shandi > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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