Weaning off medication - Asthma Message Board

Howitt44 · 04-24-2009, 09:15 AM

I just had an asthma flare a couple of weeks ago and had to be put on Prednisone (20mg) 3x a day and extra Albuteral - 3 puffs 4x a day. I hardly ever have trouble with my asthma unless it's pollen season or I get a cold. I maintain control with daily Advair and only an occasional puff of Albuteral. I am nearing the end of my Prednisone and feels so much better. However, I can tell my lungs have gotten used to the high doses of Albuteral. I want to gradually strengthen them and wean off. Also, my doctor didn't tell me to gradually reduce my Pred. I though you were supposed to, so the body can start making it's own cortisol again. Any idea?
Thanks,
Cindy

Titchou · 04-25-2009, 07:03 AM

I've taken pred both ways....taper and not. I'm not sure what the ratonale for it is but it didn't do me any harm...or so it seemed at the time.

As for the albuterol, I'd start dropping one puff per session at first for a a couple of days and see how that does. If no problems then i drop one whole session a day and see how that does. Just gradually drop back as you see you can tolerate it. you can always add one puff easily.

Howitt44 · 04-25-2009, 08:30 AM

Thanks for your reply. I have done just that and seem to be fine with it.
Cindy

doloresmc · 04-25-2009, 03:33 PM

Hi, they told us to drop one albuterol every 3 days..3 days at 3 a day, 3 days at 2 a day and then 3 at 1 a day. Pulmicort or prednisone, not so sure since it's my child's control medication. He's on 1 a day unless he gets sick, then we go up to 2 and somewhere in there we challenge him to go back down to 1 and if he doesn't cough or wheeze he stays there.
Good luck!
Dolores