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5mg of prednisone longterm experiences?

Posted by humbug @humbug, Dec 6 7:34am

I have read that 5mg of prednisone is equivalent to the cortisol produced by the body, hence not a concerning dose. I forgot to ask my doctor about this the other day, so I'm wondering if anyone knows about this.
I'm also curious how people have found taking 5mg of prednisone for a duration of a few months in terms of common side effects like moon face, etc. Are side effects less than higher doses like 20 mg?

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halo49 | @halo49 | 1 day ago

I’ve been on prednisone for 21 years, my doses have been high and low, the last few years have been horrible with weight gain moon face, GI issues, my body is screaming at me it hurts so bad. I’m trying to slowly taper off from 10mg to 5mg but it’s been so hard to get off of them. If I taper just 1mg I’m more fatigued than normal and body hurts worse also. My body does not like the withdrawal. And also being on them so long I have osteoporosis to where my hips are going to snap in 10 years. Whatever you do with the 5mg of prednisone, please do not stay on it long. All these years my doctors pushed and pushed prednisone on me. Finally I get an RA doctor that does not want me on it. It’s a long process

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kobebeef2026 | @kobebeef2026 | 1 day ago
In reply to @halo49 "I’ve been on prednisone for 21 years, my doses have been high and low, the last..." + (show)
Profile picture for halo49 @halo49

I’ve been on prednisone for 21 years, my doses have been high and low, the last few years have been horrible with weight gain moon face, GI issues, my body is screaming at me it hurts so bad. I’m trying to slowly taper off from 10mg to 5mg but it’s been so hard to get off of them. If I taper just 1mg I’m more fatigued than normal and body hurts worse also. My body does not like the withdrawal. And also being on them so long I have osteoporosis to where my hips are going to snap in 10 years. Whatever you do with the 5mg of prednisone, please do not stay on it long. All these years my doctors pushed and pushed prednisone on me. Finally I get an RA doctor that does not want me on it. It’s a long process

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have you had your cortisol levels checked, possible Cushing Disease especially with moon face. I had cortisol level tested doctor found tumor from my CLL ON my adrenal gland, had to have it removed.@halo49

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halo49 | @halo49 | 1 day ago
In reply to @kobebeef2026 "have you had your cortisol levels checked, possible Cushing Disease especially with moon face. I had..." + (show)
Profile picture for kobebeef2026 @kobebeef2026

have you had your cortisol levels checked, possible Cushing Disease especially with moon face. I had cortisol level tested doctor found tumor from my CLL ON my adrenal gland, had to have it removed.@halo49

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@kobebeef2026 hi there, no I haven’t had it checked but I did go to my primary and right when he walked in he said “I can tell by looking at you that you have cushions disease” and proceeded to tell me why, but never checked to see for sure. I didn’t know they do an actual test. Do you think I should get a second opinion?

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laura1970 | @laura1970 | 15 hours ago
In reply to @humbug "@laura1970 This is all very interesting! Great to hear from someone in the healthcare field. Thanks..." + (show)
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@laura1970 This is all very interesting! Great to hear from someone in the healthcare field. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
I have AIH, so an overactive immune system, so hope adrenal atrophy may be less likely.
Really good to hear about your experiences with 2.5 mg of prednisone. I'm currently being tapered and am on 5mg so will be requesting 2.5 going ahead if all is stable with my blood work next month.

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@humbug it may be worth trying 5 mg alternating with 2.5 mg before going straight to 2.5. Maybe something to discuss with your doctor

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pm56 | @pm56 | 3 minutes ago
In reply to @halo49 "@kobebeef2026 hi there, no I haven’t had it checked but I did go to my primary..." + (show)
Profile picture for halo49 @halo49

@kobebeef2026 hi there, no I haven’t had it checked but I did go to my primary and right when he walked in he said “I can tell by looking at you that you have cushions disease” and proceeded to tell me why, but never checked to see for sure. I didn’t know they do an actual test. Do you think I should get a second opinion?

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@halo49 yes, an endocrinologist is the person to do it if you're going that route to do it right. There are tests that will assess how well your adrenal glands are working and whether or not you have Cushing's Disease. Once they figure that out, they'll advise on where you go from there. If your primary said "Cushing's" just by looking, I'm going to guess you might have 'moon face'??? (like me, lol) Good luck 🙂

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