Prednisone addiction(?)

Posted by elisyahmaritz @elisyahmaritz, Mar 16 5:10pm

I am concerned that I might have become addicted to prednisone. I have ACOS Asthma & COPD overlap, allergies, Rheumatoid atritis and Fibromyalgia. Was given 7.5mg per day now 16 months ago but have flare ups almost every month and end up having to take 25mg for 5 days. Everytime I tapper down to 5mg per day from the 7.5mg I have a health relaps within 7 days. Is it possible that my relapse symptoms are metal and because of Prednisone addiction? I really am trying my very best to come off Prednisone without ending up admitted in hospital.

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Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Mar 17 5:35am

@elisyahmaritz
Welcome to Mayo Connect. I personally do not take prednisone, but did a little research. You are correct it is important to taper off slowly. Here is a Mayo Clinic answer to "Prednisone withdrawal: Why taper down slowly?"
https://www.mayoclinic.org/prednisone-withdrawal/expert-answers/faq-20057923
Also on Mayo Connect, there has been a few discussion on topic in the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) group.

Tapering prednisone
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-prednisone-1/
Prednisone Taper
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/prednisone-taper-1/
Have you discussed stopping or tapering off prednisone with your provider?

nic17 | @nic17 | Mar 26 11:00am

I've also been on prednisone for 16 months I started of on 40ml and I'm now on 4ml but when I try to go down to 3ml I feel unwell .My Dr has told me to stay on that now and not reduce unless I feel okay.
It sounds like you really NEED the prednisone with the health problems you have and I don't think it sound like your mentally addictive, it's just something that help you feel abit better, try talking to your doctor with your concerns.

trooperdogg1960 | @trooperdogg1960 | Mar 27 5:51pm

Out of the assortment of drugs gladly prescribed to me by doctors to reduce cervical and lumbar pain, amitriptyline, meloxicam, methocarbamol, duloxetine, and others. Prednisone in particular made me very hostile and aggressive. I have since replaced anti-inflammatory meds with turmeric curcumin supplements and changed my diet. Sugar is now a 👎 no-no. Low impact daily walking and watching my posture while setting is a must for me to maintain a semblance of comfort. I still walk like Frankenstein for the first 10-30 steps after setting for extended periods. But this allows me to make jokes about myself after the expected question of "Are you ok?" I commonly hear from strangers. I did not taper off Prednisone. The severe mood change in me dictated immediate cease.

goldyca | @goldyca | Jun 12 9:50pm

I took 25mg daily for about 3 years as part of an autoimmune liver disease treatment. I started to develop osteopenia which the dr related to the Prednisone and the dose. I developed horrendous neuralgia and was in constant mouth pain. Saw multiple drs, had numerous unnecessary root canals as dentist thought it was a tooth issue. In time a neurologist put me on a Medicine she thought would help and I had an allergic reaction to it. I went to the ER and was given a shot of Prednisilone. Immediately my horrific pain went away, as if turning off a switch. It hit me then that I had been in Prednisone withdrawal. It is a
Difficult drug to get out of your system. My withdrawal was not monitored enough and I suffered for months.

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