Prednisone tapering is challenging. What does remission feel like?

This is an old thread but in case anyone reads it as I am, thiught zi'd mention my experience. I have never eaten breakfast because my stomach doesn't wake up for 3-4 hours after I do. Luckily few medicines bother my stomach. I have no problem with prednisone.
The bottle says to take with food but as John said, that's only because the medicine can give you an upset stomach.

Oh gosh; forcing myself to eat breakfast while on prednisone makes me uncomfortable all day. Never could tolerate food in the morning. But I was told prednisone would rot my stomach without food by my pharmacist, primary care doctor and rheumatologist. And I’m lactose intolerant so using milk to coat my distressed tummy was also a problem. I compromise drinking lactose free milk and a very light breakfast. I’m tapering my prednisone and will be starting 5 mg in two days. I’m. Also tapering the amount of food I force down at 7am.😂

I’ve been on prednisone since March 1; since then my glucose levels went from excellent to pre diabetic in two months while avoiding sweets that previously was my comfort food.

The additional meal has my weight creeping up also. I live in a senior facility where carbs like pasta predominate making it difficult to eat a Mediterranean diet.

It's just a matter of whether or not the Prednisone will cause an upset stomach.
"Take this medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach irritation.
Taking prednisolone after breakfast causes an unnecessary delay and does not improve absorption."

Your doctor should have warned you that prednisone will put on weight but it will go away as you reduce your dose. I have never been comfortable with breakfast although I am not lactose intolerant. I usually have brunch at around 10:30 - 11:00 am but in a senior living facility that would be difficult for you. To protect your stomach try a half teaspoon of coconut oil first thing in the morning, it does a great job of healing an aggravated stomach. Coconut oil is available at most supermarkets. I am on 2 Mg of prednisone but it's taken me over three years to get there. Food is a constant problem as I seem to be very sensitive to not eating the approved foods only. As I have said a few times, don’t get discouraged, it will come to an end.
I’m almost fully recovered but I still have bad days. Depression and hopelessness is the worst. Find something to distract your mind and lose yourself in it, books, TV, a hobby. Remember you are not alone. I don’t know why but knowing that seems to help.

Thanks for your kind words and support. I’ll try coconut oil. My doctors like to downplay prednisone side effects especially knowing my reluctance to take prednisone initially. It does help knowing we’re not alone through this support group. My friends tell me not to go to the dark place whenever I discuss my concerns about morbidities related to PMR and prednisone. I cherish the times I get absorbed in activities were I’m distracted from my overwhelming fatigue. Between the PMR, medication, pre existing mental health issues and eye discomfort/visual problems from EBMD I feel my life is a perfect storm for failure.

My doctor prescribed a ‘buffer’, Pantroprazole, to be taken with prednisone. She emphasized the importance of taking both pills with meals.

Yes, Pantoprazole aka Protonix
is commonly used to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
She must be concerned you won't be able to handle the prednisone on an empty stomach.

I have been on prednisone for over 5 years for fibromyalgia. Several times I have tapered down and tried other drugs. The other drugs had serious side effects and I have none with prednisone. I am lucky that a low dose of 4 or 5 mg controls the majority of my Fibro pain. So, I have learned to live with the other fibromyalgia symptoms, because the pain is the worst.

Yes, prednisone causes a lot of side affects as you may know and stomach issues is one my doctor was trying to prevent. From what I’ve read, and from talking to my doctor, prednisone should NOT be taken on an empty stomach and the buffer medication is further protection.

I am aware of the side effects and glad a lot of these are less now. I have no problem with taking Prednisone on an empty stomach and prefer to take fewer medications when possible. What works for some, as they say.