Prednisone withdrawal ?

[Canoehead]

After 15 months of undetectable PSA, my MO decided to let me solo. My last Zytiga and prednisone were last Friday. Then Sunday and today I had fatigue worse than during chemo. Could this be prednisone withdrawal? I was only taking 5 mg/day, so I saw no need to taper. But I have been on it for 18 months. Anyone have similar experience?

[NPfisherman]

It could be....see what the Mayo posted on this:

mayoclinic.org/prednisone-w...

The issue is the duration that you were on....You may need to do 2.5 mg for two weeks....then 1 mg for two weeks, and off...

Good luck,

Fish

[huhnes in reply to NPfisherman]

I think you can really hurt yourself if you don't taper off. Quitting "cold turkey" is not recommended. I was on prednisone for over a year as well. They cut me from 5 mg. a day to taking 2.5 mg. a day for two weeks, then 2.5 every other day for two weeks. I was super tired, sleeping sometimes 16 hours a day (but not well). Even though it is only 5 mg per day, prednisone is a powerful drug and it is recommended to ween yourself off of it.

[Schwah]

Oh yes yes yes. My first week just tapering off 5mg I was more exhausted than I ever was in the 21 months on Lupron and Zytega. I always fought through any tiredness to make my workouts but that week or so it was almost impossible. Good news is two weeks later and I’m fine.

Schwah

[LearnAll]

Prednisone withdrawal can be very uncomfortable. People have high anxiety, restlessness and mood swings while undergoing prednisone withdrawal.\ If I was on 5 mg for 18 months, I would taper to 2.5 mg for 7 days.1.25 mg for 7 days and stop.

[Fairwind]

You can really mess yourself up if you just "cold turkey" off Pred...

[Canoehead]

I’m glad I asked. Thanks, guys. Took a half dose (2.5) today and will Do it for a week, then every other day for a week. Still feel really tired.

[deedeer]

Yes canoehead you have probably nailed it. The feel good factor (mood, energy etc) with Prednisolone is huge. It must be tapered and your body will tell you, just like it is, if you have done this too fast. For some strange reason the medics seem to forget this and stop the Prednisolone at same time they stop Chemo/Abiraterone etc.

[MelaniePaul]

My husband had the same experience when he came off Prednisolone. He had been on it during his Zytiga treatment which lasted about two years. So the oncologist decided to put him back on it because he said that his body was so used to it now. I don't think there is any harm in going back on it because it will give you a little bit more energy but not have any significant side-effects, if any side-effects at all.

[Mathes72]

I came offf jevtana end of may,went down to 5mg for a week,not enough time,knocked me to the floor,my whole body ached still not right pain killers ibuprofen,be careful with that stuff, we do not need more problems

[Hidden]

Frankly your MO should have weaned you off of the Prednisone gradually reducing your dosage. Are you sure that you did not miss his instructions?

GD

[bikerjorge in reply to Hidden]

I was taking 10 mg and my MO gave me a five week detox routine and I still felt totally wiped out for almost two months. It was the worse fatigue I have felt yet by far.

[Canoehead in reply to Hidden]

I actually asked him about tapering, and he said my 5mg dose was no big deal, but if I got fatigued, I could take half tabs for a few days. Despite that seemingly cavalier attitude, I really like the guy.

[Hidden]

Does anyone know if when taking zytiga, are we supposed to take the prednisone at the same time, or can we wait until later such as after a meal?

[j-o-h-n]

Your problem was that you couldn't hear your MO clearly with your head in a canoe...Take it off when he's talking and put it back on when he's finished. Even stupid I would have done that. Geezamacripe.👀

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n Wednesday 07/03/2019 7:12 PM DST

[erjlg3]

Yes, yes, yes. I'm trying to taper from 5 mg to 2.5 and I'm having a tough time with fatigue, anxiety and no get up and go in me. Hope you can go back on and taper slowly