Prednisone Withdrawal

[petluv]

I would like to know if anyone taking Prednisone has had the following happen when you try to taper off. I was taking 40mg of Prednisone for my severe flare up of my Fibromyalgia that I have had for the past 20 years. I am 60 but feel like 80! I am now taking 10mg but I am shaking like a leaf!! I have been tapering off 1mg every 4 or 5 days. According to my Dr. I should be able to handle this!! I am taking 1mg Ativan twice a day and also Flexeril 5mg at bedtime and I cut the pill into fourths and take during the day if I feel I need it. However, even this is not stopping the shaking! I also take Magnesium 400 mg twice a day, Calcium Citrate with Vitamin D 800mg at bedtime. Vitamin B complex.

[Kari7171]

I'm sure the prednisone is hard to taper off of. I took it for only 7 days on two occasions and that is seriously some strong stuff. I felt horrible while taking it and then for several days after. I'm sure what you doctor means is it is safe to taper off like that but you will have some side effects. Predisone is a very strong drug. Just try to hang in there. Follow the doctors instructions and the withdrawal will go away in time.

[Karen W.]

Hi,
May I ask how long you were taking predisone? My son was on predisone for 8 month's, it was a low dose-like 20mg per day, his asthma was so severe that was the only way he could breath, well after being on it for that long his adrenal glands shut done and he ended up with secondary addisons disease, it took two full years to get him off the predsion but we finally did it.
Karen W.

[petluv]

I have been on Prednisone since September of this year. I am now taking 8mg and on Wednesday of this week I will taper off another 2mg. I HATE being on this drug. I blame my DR. for putting me thru this since he was the one that put me on it! I have also gained weight, YUK! I am only 5' tall and petite. However, I have gained around 6lbs which may not sound like a lot but I gained it in my hips, stomach and thighs.