Stop taking steroids

Posted by anncoco57 @anncoco57, Dec 21, 2024

Hi I’ve been taking steroids for 6 months now and have come down from 15mg to 7.5mg . The pain levels have not got worse and are bearable with painkillers . The problem is that I put do much weight on its impacting my health .

I’m just wondering what happens if you just stop taking steroids rather than tapering

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) Support Group.

jabrown0407 | @jabrown0407 | Jun 24 8:58pm

If you use an AI tool ask it the same question, if not do a google search of the question. The short answer is nothing good happens, and worst case it can put you in the hospital fighting for your life.
Talk to your PCP or endo, if you have one, about the weight problem and options. Painkillers are not healthy options to deal with the PMR pain.

cwbf | @cwbf | Jun 25 7:49am

Long-term use of prednisone suppresses the adrenal glands, which then do not make enough cortisol for your body to function properly. The purpose of tapering is to slow encourage the adrenal glands to begin to function again naturally. If you go off prednisone, cold turkey, you will not have any cortisol and your body will experience various forms of traumatic stress, including great fatigue and pain. Once you’re on prednisone, you’re stuck with it and have to taper. KevZara or other biologics can help with the taping although they are expensive if not covered by insurance and have their own side effects. Bottom line: don’t go cold turkey.