Just looking for help and suggestions on prednisone withdrawals,

What condition was being treated when you were taking Prednisone? Definitely see a doctor and get a new prescription. A "stable dose" of Prednisone followed by a slow taper is better to prevent withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor won't be pleased that you "self medicated." When you follow the advice from the internet about a good taper schedule ... that is self medicating too.

There is NOT a single best way to taper off Prednisone but what you did is all wrong. I have been there and done that so I'm not being judgmental. It is just a man thing ... I guess.

You've done something very dangerous by dropping from 20 mg a day down to zero. Even fairly low doses (4-6 mg per day) for a few weeks cause the adrenal glands to stop working. The adrenal glands don't start instantly working again when you stop taking prednisone - you have to taper off of prednisone slowly to allow the adrenals time to get back to full functionality. Depending on how long you have taken prednisone, that can take several months or longer. In some cases the adrenals don't recover, and the person has to keep taking a medication to compensate for the adrenals.

Here is a quote from Google AI about the risk of stopping prednisone suddenly:

"Abruptly stopping 20 mg of prednisone, especially after more than a few weeks of use, poses a serious risk of adrenal crisis, a life-threatening condition where the body lacks sufficient cortisol. It can trigger severe withdrawal symptoms, including extreme fatigue, weakness, body aches, joint pain, low blood pressure, nausea, and, in rare cases, death. "

In the UK, people taking prednisolone are required to carry a medic alert card in case something happens so that medical personnel know the person is dependent on steroids.

It sounds like you need to be on at least 20 mg for several weeks to get your PMR back under control. I wouldn't try to taper until you discuss it with your doctor.

@jeff97
"In the UK, people taking prednisolone are required to carry a medic alert card in case something happens so that medical personnel know the person is dependent on steroids."
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I think the medical alert cards they do in the UK are because their doctors discharge patients when they are noncompliant and listen to the advice from non medical people on the internet. Self medicating with Prednisone is never a good thing. I'm only guessing ... and trying to humor myself.

@jeff97 thank you Jeff. Yeah I kind of think I already researched a new. I was trying to lose weight and steroids were preventing me from doing that so I originally started taking steroids for walking pneumonia and congestion, and I just kind of continued to take them without really researching the real risk and side effects and that’s my fault that’s on me so yeah I told my wife I probably need to go get another prescription start off with a couple high doses, such as 20 mg till I can freaking move and I have a doctors appointment in a couple weeks to hopefully help me with a taper schedule. It’s not a rheumatologist, but hopefully they’ll be smart enough after checking Cortizone levels and what you’re saying PMR.

@dadcue
I just checked, and in addition to the UK (according to Google AI), the European Union, Australia, Germany, and Canada have some form of medical alert for people who are dependent on steroids. I always thought the US should do better about the risks of stopping prednisone suddenly, whether due to accident or intentionally. We're very lackadaisical about it and just hope for the best.

@krispeabody

I originally took Prednisone for flares of uveitis. My ophthalmologist prescribed massive amounts of Prednisone for every flare of uveitis I had. Uveitis can cause vision loss so I took a lot of Prednisone.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/uveitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20378734
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I always had large quantities of Prednisone leftover after every flare of uveitis that went into remission. It was routine for me to be prescribed 60 mg of prednisone ... increase as needed and taper off as directed. I perfected the art of tapering off Prednisone for uveitis. My ophthalmologist said I was skilled at tapering off Prednisone.

I put my leftover Prednisone to good use. I treated myself for a "wide range" of medical conditions and stopped seeing doctors. What got me into trouble was when I decided not to take Prednisone anymore and threw all my leftover Prednisone away. I 'froze up" like you described and that was when PMR was eventually diagnosed.

I thought a PMR diagnosis was a blessing because I legitimately could take Prednisone every day.

@jeff97

It is strongly recommended in the USA too. We all should be buying those medical alert bracelets which say we are on Prednisone. The following is an example of one that is used in Australia.
https://www.mediband.com/au/adrenal-insufficiency-steroid-dependent-medical-bracelet-b1432-color-white/.
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Anyone can buy a bracelet on Amazon. My rheumatologist gave me a brochure with information about how I could order one but I never did.

It's a good idea, but no one ever mentioned it to me. I think in the UK the doctors prescribing prednisolone have to provide the card to the patient.

I use a card that came with a carrying case I bought for my Actemra injections.

@jeff97

The bracelets are better because they are visible. Not many emergency response people are going to look for a card.

@dadcue I suspect they will look for an id.