I hbeeave been taking 5 to 10 mg of prednisone daily for rhe past 7 of my 84 years. It cleared up my orthostaic hypertinesonor lighthedness caused by low blood pressure and been good for my COPD. It also gave me help for my fatigues. I have developed type 2 diabetes, and blotched skin all over my arms, using but otherwise fine except the inability to quit using it. I have tried withdrawalmethod several times dnd gotten down as low as 5, but invariably the fatigue and weakness has lead me back to 10. I know that my COPD is not gonna get any better n am thankful the inhalers and oxygen have kept me going.
At this stage of my life, I am convinced that the rewards are far better than the risks, and thankful for the cure of my low blood pressure and better strength prednisobe has provided
Hello all, Im new to this site but all of you have provided me with useful information. Recently I visited the ER because of my back being inflamed and the doctor there prescribed me prednisone 20 mg 3 x day for 5 days. I had never been on this drug before. I will admit while taking the drug I felt like a million bucks I had a whole lot of energy and I didn't hurt not one bit which was such a relief compared to how I felt when I went to the ER ( was barely able to walk from the pain). Then as day 5 approached and and I discontinued the drug the following day I awoke to EVERY muscle and joint in my body aching as if I had been working out for a week straight without a rest. This feeling is horrible and I don't have know idea as to how long it is going to last seeing that I was never instructed that I would have this withdrawal from this drug in the first place!!!! Does anyone have a clue of how long it takes for these symptoms to end???? Also is there any ideas of how to ease these symptoms??? I have tried hot baths, rest, heating pads, ect.... but nothing seems to be easing this aching feeling. It seems to me that the origin of my problem (lower back) is better now but I don't think the results from this drug making the rest of my WHOLE body ache was worth it!!! Any sugestions would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you, Traci
i see that you commented this over a year ago but I figured Id try and see if I get a response im 23 and just recently was diagnosed with RA and erosive arthritis ive been on prednisone since nov of 2013 at first it was working but as of feb they upped my dose to 10mg because is just isn't helping anymore I feel like im taking it for no reason im constantly in pain and swollen isnt this suppose to help with that? iam also taking a dose of methotrexate once a week plus the folic acid and vit d....I got dental surgery 2 weeks ago and was on antibiotics and now my face is super swollen and puffy but its not from the surgery could it be a side affect of the meds im having trouble sleeping eating for no reason and my doctor just doesn't really have much to say im so young a mother and wife and feel like im in this all alone ugh
Hi:
I suffered from severe headaches for over three weeks. When I went to my GP he immediately sent me to the ER. They did a cat scan of my head which turned out ok (thank God). After receiving the blood results my inflammation was 115 and it should have been .5. The attending at the hospital put me on 60 mg of prednisone. Said I had Giant Cell Arteritis and that I should see a rheumatologist within a few days.. They also dis a biopsy which was negative, however, the inflammation was still out of range.
I started taking prednisone February 2013 (60 MG). Gradually my dosage was reduced then blood work showed an increase in the inflammation so I had to go back up.
I am presently being weaned reducing my dosage by 1 mg per week. I am presently on 2 mg. I do have to have cataract surgery, I gained 17 pounds, was extremely lightheaded when standing up quickly.
The side effects are terrible. I am depressed, wake up with joint and muscle pain throughout my entire body and have severe fatigue. Ibuprofen has helped me get through the day. My best hours are 11 am to 9 pm.
I called my rheumatologist regarding the pain. He indicated it could be PMR or withdrawal symptoms. I hope it is withdrawal. Have an appointment on July 3.
Hope this helps anyone suffering from these horrible diseases .
Arlene
I was on prednisone for 3 years for respiratory issues I weaned my self off due to the fact that my dose kept going up and up and my bouts were becoming more and more frequent. I used herbal preparations to help with the withdrawal 18 months ago and I am still managing on the herbs just fine without the prednisone. But unfortunately I now have repeated bouts of a tiny small red rash with puss on my face and this is 18 months after coming of the bloody poison and I now have allergies to certain antibiotics one nearly killed me I went into severe anaphylaxis. I HAVE TO BE REALLY CAREFUL NOW. If I knew back when Dr bought up Prednisone what I know now I would never have gone onto it.
I was put on Prednisone for Lichen Planus of the scalp in May of this year. I only took 2 days worth. 1st day was 40mg and by day 2 only 20mg. I was shacking uncontrollably couldn't sleep. I finally took some Xanax to calm my nerves. I stopped them completely and I was very anxious and emotional. 2 weeks later I suffered a terrible loss to my family. My anxiety and emotions were up and by then I wasn't able to eat. I lost 30lbs within a couple months. People kept saying I was depressed so I was put on Zoloft which my anxiety even worse and I didn't sleep but 3hrs in 3 days I also had to take Xanax to calm down which they said I shouldn't have to take one med to calm another one like that. Its been 5months and I don't feel any better besides I'm able to eat now. My head constantly hurts and my ears are now plugged and Ive had vertigo twice. I'm seeing a psychologist now because I'm grieving the loss my sister n law/bestfriend. I want to know how long does this last because I was perfectly normal before I took this medicine.
Wendy - did you get an answer as to what the tiny blisters are?
My daughter has them as well and has been on Prednisone since 1996.
My husband has the rash from hell after getting off prednizone.
I'VE TRIED GETTING OFF THIS DRUG 4 TIMES , WEENING DOWN, DIDNT WORK FOR ME . AFTER 3 DAYS I WAS IN BED COULD NOT GET OUT OF BED, AMBULANCE TRIPS 4 TIMES IN 3 WEEKS. HOSPITALS PUT ME BACK ON MORE THAN EVER HAD BEFORE. NOW I'M DIABETIC AND BACK ON THIS DRUG, --- SYMPTOMS --- BACK AND STOMACH PAINS, SEVERE HEADACHES,WEAKNESS GETS WORSE, , SHARPE PAINS TO KNEES ,LEGS [[ LIKE DARTS HITTING U ]] U FEEL SO MISERABLE EVEN JUST TAPPERING OFF, DWN TO 1 [[20MIL.]], THEN 1/2 , I GOT THE SAME EFFECTS, . SO 4 DIFFERANT DOCTOR SCHEDULES DID NOT WORK . c**p NOW TRYING 5TH DOCTOR FROM THE V.A. ER. IN ARKANSAS.
I knew I could expect weight gain, and being overweight already, significantly, this was not a good thing. But having my body destroy my liver is an even worse thing. So on came the weight. After about 2.5 weeks my lower back began to have serious SERIOUS issues, and I now (a little over a month later) can't walk but a few feet before the pain nearly brings me to my knees. I feel like I'm destined for a wheelchair at this point, and I'm not exaggerating. But there's more...
I also knew to expect "moon face" and fat accumulation around the chin and neck area, a place I NEVER gain weight. Well, it's so bad right now that I find it hard to sleep because it feels like someone is trying to strangle me. And the moon face.. today I wonder if this isn't something else, prednisone withdrawal, a reaction to prednisone, I don't know. But he 'fat' around my face is hard, and my eyes are swelling. The swelling under my eyes, over the eye sockets, is also hard/firm and reminds me of an allergic reaction. I have black/blue circles under my eyes and on both sides of my nose going up to the inner corners of my eyebrows. Swelling around my mouth, that firm/hard kind of swelling. In fact, the swelling on my cheekbones is such that lowering my eyes to type this... I can see the top of my cheeks (cheekbone area).
I'm also on Azathioprine (generic Imuran) which is supposed to help alleviate prednisone withdrawal. It doesn't seem to be helping at all.
And the headaches.. horrible, awful, unbelievable.. something I don't usually get.
I have heart problems and am concerned about the risk to my heart while being on this drug. I'm being monitored by a liver specialist for the AIH, but he's difficult to reach sometimes. I'm going to have to call him again tomorrow (Monday) because the swelling and symptoms are out of control now.
Prednisone is scary stuff but at times a necessary evil. Maybe I'm being weaned off too fast, but I know the doctor said he wants me off this stuff (and I do too). The weigh gain alone is a huge risk for me given the heart problems, but having this withdrawal business is also very scary.
Overall, I 'believe' my current symptoms are from withdrawal, and I'm not exactly sure how that will be addressed.
NOTE: I belong to a couple of message boards in which people have tapered off prednisone at 5mg/week and did just fine. I'm just not one of those people, apparently.
Prayers to those who have dealt or are dealing with prednisone...
Ella
Thank you - I've been on them for a long time - got myself down to 3 mg. a day. I find that going below after a few days, I'm completely ill and weak - ready to pass out. Predisone is horrible. ultimately killed my husband and I'm stupid enough to get on it also - the way doctors put you on it makes you think - ah! I feel so much better and can work and play - I need this stuff. I have my doctor objecting to me taking a 1/2 of a 5 mg. of Valium a day which in no way hurts me, but hurts the message from his life insurance backer. He says - ...oh, no problem - try the prednisone and you wil feel better. Yes, Indeed - did feel fetter, but realized I need to get off it. Years later - I realize that the blood vessels that pop in my hand are from that and I may probably die like my husband from doctors who do not know, care or realize that they just signed their patient's death certificate! Once you are on - there apparently is no way off. ugh.
I was on 1000 (yes, 1000mg) o Prednisone for 5 days to treat an MS relapse. They did not order a taper and I am feeling awful 3 after stopping them. My head is pounding, I am tired but cannot sleep. My whole body aches. I have no idea how long this is supposed to last. I know it is a very high dose, but that is the common treatment for MS relapses. I have usually been given a taper dose though and this ER doc did not think it was required because it was for only 5 days. Any thoughts?
I'm a post liver transplant patient. I was weaned off prednisone after 16 months.I know it was a necessary evil..However, I've never know the physical pain I am experiencing ..My flesh is sore , joints are painful, emotions are raw and am told "it's not due to meds" I'm not going to blame but I'm not stupid...All these anti rejection meds cause muscle and joint pain...So, why not just tell you how bad the pain can be and then let you decide to live? It is a mixed bag..But the truth...