reducing Prednisone

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Connie, you need to taper your prednisone very slowly, especially if you've been on high doses or long term use. Your body becomes dependent on the Prednisone & when it's lowered too fast, you can't compensate & have awful things happen. Sorry, even though I'm a nurse I can't remember right now exactly what happens! Hopefully, somebody else's brain still has that info. Anyway, it can be very dangerous. You really need a knowledgeable doc to help you with this.

Ramblin' Rose

Moderator

Reply-To: Neurosarcoidosis To: Neurosarcoidosis Subject: Re: Prednisone Will Make You WEAK!!!Date: Thu, 11 May 2006 08:46:12 -0700 (PDT)Oh my goodness, me thinks me messed up. I hate taking prednisone, (at least I'm not on 60 mg a day anymore). But big Ike decided this week she would lower her dose of pred from 15 mg a day to 10 mg a day. (No I did not tell my doctor, the pulmonologist has been very resistant to me lowering it) I've had some peculiar reactions, but the damage it has been doing has been getting out of hand lately. You reckon I better rethink this until I go back to see him? Connie" J. Blanchett" wrote:

A few months ago I started seeing a new doctor here in Tampa, Florida. He is a Rheumatologist and I am already seeing results of some of his decisions regarding my care.During my initial visit he decided to take me off Prednisone. He said, "You have been on it a long time and it makes you very weak." And this is true. I have been on Prednisone for 10-11 years now and have grown very weak.A few weeks ago I could not open a zip-lock freezer bag, could not cut my meat with a knife, could not open my medicine bottles and could not hold a glass of juice with one hand. But since I have started reducing my dosage of Prednisone my strenght in my hands have returned! My grip is strong like it used to be. I can open jars, zip lock bags, medicine bottles and hold things with one hand again. And I think it is all due to dropping my dosage of Prednisone.Mind you, reducing the level of steroids like prednisone must be done under a doctor's care and very, very carefully to avoid any serious side effects.So, I am dropping 1 milligram per month. I have gone from 15 milligrams per day to 12 milligrams per day. Each month I will reduce my dosage by an additional milligram until I am completely off. However, my dosage of Imuran was increased to an additional 50 milligrams per day. This will help keep everything in check, so to speak while I taper off the Prednisone.I must say that I am very pleased with this outcome.Part of my physical therapy is to try and walk with my walker a few steps. Well since I have dropped my dosage I can walk twice as far as I could before. And my confidence in walking again and getting out of the wheelchair is BLESSED!So, IF YOU ARE FEELING WEEK AND CAN'T DO THINGS YOU USED TO DO, CONSIDER THE EFFECTS THE PREDNISONE IS HAVING ON YOUR STRENGTH. TALK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AND SEE IF YOU CAN DO AS MY DOCTOR SUGGESTED.BUT KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS MUST BE DONE VERY, VERY SLOWLY. IF NOT THE BODY WITH REACT HORRIBLY TO THE WITHDRAWL OF THE DRUG. SO CHECK IT OUT MY FRIENDS. And I wish all of you well.Ron :)Love ya, truly I do.

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