Guest guest Posted September 13, 2006 Report Share Posted September 13, 2006 It is so important that you follow the instructions of your MD in getting off steroids. That even means Pred Forte eye drops. This is because of the richochet effect that happens as you discontinue them. Weaning can happen many ways. For instance, when I was on 80mg a day, it took 2 1/2 years to come off it. I'd go down 10mg a month, then have to go back up 5 mg-- if I had any signs of flare. When it got down to the last year- it was then that we went every other day, then down 1 mg at a time over the last few months. The next time they put me on them-- it was started at 60mg every other day-- and it took 15 months to get off them. It is frustrating, and all I can say is hang on. If the side effects of increased pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, whatever- is too bad, then ask about going onto Plaquenil or Methotrexate and working up on the dose of them, while you taper off the prednisone. This is so important for those of us that had to get off them because of the side effects. For me, high dose prednisone makes me psychotic, physically abusive (I have taken swings at my hubby while on them-and no, that's not me!), as well as the weight gain, the blood sugar issues, and the increased joint and muscle pain. It never helped me-- just made all the bad stuff worse. So it was not a good choice for me. Arthritis.org has the drug issue-- and it lists many steroid sparing alternatives. Take it with you to the MD (you can go online and print it out--it's about 12 pgs) and talk to him about what else may work. Tracie NS co-owner/moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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