How to wean off prednisone 5mg without side effects?

My side effects from steroid use were increased weight, raise in blood pressure, raise in my cholesterol, raise in my A1C. My cholesterol was always around 230 total. shot up to 310. My A1C was 5.6 is now 6.0. my weight went from 200 to 215. My BP was 130/70 went to 150/80. I am now taking a BP medication and cholesterol medication. Both have come back down with the medication. About half way on my weight.

I dont have a suggestion. Dadcue is much more of an autoimmune specialist. Others on here may have ideas. In my thinking, if your cortisol is fine and test was accurate then possibly the pain is due to the fact you have not resolved the source of the inflammation. Many have found multiple reasons for inflammation. I know to diagnose my PMR they had to rule out everything it wasnt. Rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, cancer etc. I was tested for about 10 different things. I also had a PET scan for cancer. PMR could still be a possibility. Many have had normal ESR and Sed rate yet still have PMR. Your testing would be skewed since you take steroids for other reasons. Just a beginning. If your not happy with your Dr find another one.

What is Prednisone treating? It can't be PMR because people with PMR take Prednisone for years. They would consider tapering by 1 mg per month a fast taper and not excessively long. I was diagnosed with PMR and didn't taper off Prednisone again for 13 years. I don't know of anyone with PMR who doesn't have difficulty tapering off Prednisone from 5 mg to zero.

I know what you mean by having done multiple "bursts" of prednisone." I did exactly that for 20 years before PMR was diagnosed. Going from 60 mg to zero in 4 weeks was never a problem. It just depends on what is being treated ... I guess.

I remember my days when I could taper off Prednisone quickly with fond memories. It makes me laugh about what people perceive about what is the "best way" to taper off Prednisone. There isn't a single best way --- there are too many variables.

It does get harder to taper off the longer you take Prednisone. Many people wind up taking 5 mg of prednisone for the rest of their lives. It just depends on the variable you are trying to overcome!

If it is adrenal insufficiency there isn't much you can do to speed up the tapering process. The adrenals won't be in a rush to produce cortisol again. However, I managed to taper off prednisone in spite of adrenal insufficiency.

Thank you. I should probably try to get into see someone at Mayo, which is going to be a challenge as I live in Illinois.

Mayo diagnosed my PMR after I had self diagnosed myself. But rhumy ended up agreeing. I have had challenges getting into Mayo. I need to see a gastrologist but they wont accept new patients. I wanted to see a pulmonary Dr but wont accept new patients. I live in the Phoenix area so its reasonably close. I like Mayo care best. I have plenty of specialist to chose from but they are not all created equal. Good Luck.

We are also trying to wean off of 5 mg prednisone. My husband also takes Kineret injections daily. He suggested waiting for warmer weather as all joints are stiffer and painful in winter months. Makes sense. Hope this helps you!

I can't think of any harm from doing a slow taper. But it seems there is harm in doing a fast taper for you!

My very elderly mother stayed on 2mg for a long time after getting down from 5mg. Eventually she went to 1mg. At that level it isn't affecting the immune system as you know.

In our experience (my family's) the tapers get harder as you get to the lower doses. With some meds we have used liquids or had something compounded so very small doses could be taken.

I don't see how you could evaluate what else is going on until fully off the prednisone.

I think you’re correct that I’ll need to be off of prednisone completely before being able to get to the bottom of what’s really going on. I have several reasons for wanting to be off of it, including that I don’t feel like my normal self, very emotional and that’s not like me at all.