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How to wean off prednisone 5mg without side effects?

Posted by staylorrn2000 @staylorrn2000, Dec 30, 2024

Hello. I’ve been multiple “bursts” of prednisone over the last year, with each time weaning off becoming more difficult. I desperately want off of this drug but this time I was out on an alternate day taper 5mg one day next day 2.5 mg for one month then 2.5 mg for one month then off. I couldn’t tolerate going down to 2.5 mg without bad withdrawal symptoms or questionable adrenal insufficiency so now I’ve been prescribed 4 mg for 1 month 3 mg for 1 month 2 mg for 1 month the 1 mg for 1 month; I start this taper tomorrow. This seems like an excessively long taper to me. Has anyone else had a difficult time tapering off of 5 mg and would you share your side effects coming off and also if you do have a successful taper where you were able to stop it completely?

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staylorrn2000 | @staylorrn2000 | Dec 31, 2024
In reply to @dadcue ""I’m sorry I didn’t really explain why I’m even on prednisone. I have been given bursts..." + (show)
@dadcue

"I’m sorry I didn’t really explain why I’m even on prednisone. I have been given bursts for asthma flares, acute sinusitis that turned into chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, the metapneumo virus. I do not have PMR but I came here in hopes of gaining some insight to getting off this horrible drug that has turned my life upside down."
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I'm not sure if this interests you but I like the information that this person shares. She makes all kinds of videos about topics related to Prednisone. I don't know anything about the medication for asthma nor do I know anything about the multivitamin she developed for people taking Prednisone.


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Her bio is on the following link:
https://prednisonepharmacist.com/meet-dr-megan/

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Thank you, I will definitely check her out !

REPLY
catartist | @catartist | 6 days ago

I feel for you! I have been on prednisone daily for 35 years and can not get below 5 mg - ( for RA - only thing that worked for years!). Of course it has its cost after all this - I have serious muscle deterioration m, tears and losses that may be partially from my ‘addiction’. But RA does this too. At 78 Drs don’t feel I should put myself through trying to get lower.
Trouble T 5 in a taper I don’t believe is unusual. I always have to go down 1 at a time after 10 in a taper. Get OFF it if possible!!

REPLY
1 reply
staylorrn2000 | @staylorrn2000 | 6 days ago
In reply to @catartist "I feel for you! I have been on prednisone daily for 35 years and can not..." + (show)
@catartist

I feel for you! I have been on prednisone daily for 35 years and can not get below 5 mg - ( for RA - only thing that worked for years!). Of course it has its cost after all this - I have serious muscle deterioration m, tears and losses that may be partially from my ‘addiction’. But RA does this too. At 78 Drs don’t feel I should put myself through trying to get lower.
Trouble T 5 in a taper I don’t believe is unusual. I always have to go down 1 at a time after 10 in a taper. Get OFF it if possible!!

Jump to this post

I am really sorry to hear you have suffered with RA for so many years and also the side effects of steroids. I am definitely going to try to get off of this prednisone as soon as is safely possible. Thank you for your message.

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