Any advice on how to stop my 5mg daily intake of steroid?

Hi @bernadettegobnait, welcome. I’d like to connect you with others who have tapered off steroids. Can you tell me a bit more about yourself so I can connect you with people with similar experiences? What kind of steroid are you taking? Why were steroids prescribed for you? In other words, what condition do you have?

I’m taking 5mg predisone also I’m a a COPD patient but I feel very well except I’m finding it difficult to stop the 5mg steriod

Hello @bernadettegobnait,

I see that you are wanting to stop the 5 mg steroid treatment. As you mentioned that you have COPD, I'm wondering, is the steroid treatment being used to manage the COPD? If so, you would certainly want to discuss this with your pulmonologist.

Also, are there side effects and/or problems with the steroid medication that make you want to stop the treatment?

I came to this group hoping to find some info about prednisone withdrawal vs adrenal insufficiency caused by tapering too quickly. I have been put on multiple prednisone bursts over the last 6 months and a couple of courses lasting 3 weeks. All were successful tapers until this last one and now that I’m down to 5 mg daily I am having constant cold clammy skin and cold sweats, also increased fatigue, stomach pain, nausea and dizziness. The doctor had me take 5 mg for 7 days then 2.5 mg for 7 days then off for 2 days to have labs, cortisol and ACTH, both of those came back normal. The whole time I was on the 5 mg daily and 2.5 mg daily I’ve had these symptoms and they have gotten worse since I was off of prednisone for 2 days so I’ve gone back to 5 mg daily with no relief of my symptoms. My question is can you have a normal cortisol and ACTH level and still have adrenal insufficiency? My doctor says no but I’ve read that you can if the pituitary isn’t functioning properly. I also read the only way to rule out adrenal insufficiency is with an ACTH challenge. I certainly don’t want to end up in an adrenal crisis if I have actually do have adrenal insufficiency vs. steroid withdrawal. Any advice anyone can offer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

It might be wise to get a 2d opinion or mb see a specialist...an endocrinologist. Just a suggestion.

@staylorrn2000, you might find this discussion helpful:
- Adrenal Insufficiency and Tapering Prednisone https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adrenal-insufficiency-and-tapering-prednisone/

Have you discussed your questions with your doctor or an endocrinologist as @dianekbrown mentioned?