Extremely anxious

I cannot down from 9 mg every day I have been on 3 1/2 years. A year ago was stable at 5mg then had to on dexamethasone for 2 months and now reducing again

Please, please, please contact your doctors - PCP and rheumy both. Extreme anxiety can have many causes and it may not be related to your PMR drugs. One possible related cause is thyroid problems and you might ask about that. A couple of blood tests for thyroid markers could eliminate this as the cause. Comprehensive thyroid panel and T3 Total are the ones my endo runs.

Reducing steroids at this low a level plays with your adrenal glands since it is their job to produce the steroids you need, and not be dependent on oral steroids. Your steroids and thyroid hormones help to regulate tons of your emotional and body functions. It is amazing how well engineered are bodies are naturally.

I'm already on generic thyroid meds. My last blood tests for my thyroid were normal. I have no idea about my adrenal glands. I'm feeling the same way today. I will call my drs on Monday. Thank you so much for your response.

Anxiety may be indirectly related to the taper.
Our brain and nervous system are affected by the same inflammatory
response as the rest of our organ systems. It could be a symptom of
systemic inflammation. Ask your doctors to recheck your marker labs
and consider giving your anti anxiety meds more time to work.
Some anxiolytics actually decrease cytokine levels.

I've been anxious as well but with these crazy times we are in there are external contributing factors! I've been limiting media time, doing a bit of meditation, volunteering, taking walks with friends. All great medicine and there are no side effects (other than joy). I know there are limitations to what these practices can do but it can't hurt.

All good ideas. I have a lower back issue that doesn't allow me to walk or stand for long. You are so right about external factors. I find the news so depressing. I'm having a trial procedure done on my back so I pray I can get my life back. Thank you for your advice.

Be, do you have anxiety disorder? Any of many factors could kick this up, esp steroids, but since you are tapering, one would think the anx would be decreasing, not increasing. Were you anx before the taper?
Just a thought: I was told never to take generic Synthroid as it wasn't regulated as well as brand. That was a long time ago and may not hold true today.
I still take brand tho.
Hope you get better...anxiety is so tough.

Yes, I have had an anxiety issue and depression for a long time. I'm on meds for both. It just seems to have gotten worse since tapering. Just a little stress sents me off. I sent a message to my rheumatologist so I will see what she says. I''m not sure if Synthroid would help. I've been taking the generic for years. My thyroid tests are always normal. Thanks for your response!

You are right about Synthroid I was told that 60 years ago and have always bought no generic

Interesting!