Reducing prednisolone side effects. - Lung Conditions C...

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Reducing prednisolone side effects.

11 years ago•10 Replies

I am currently reducing pred by 1mg per week, I was put on 15 mg about 10 weeks ago for polymyalgia rheumatica and that dose really helped me to function without pain, I am now down to 12 mg, but am finding myself breathless on occasion and also very weepy, is this a reaction to the reduced dose? Any info would be a godsend thanks xx

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Dottymott

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knitter11 years ago

I take prednisolone for my asthma, and when I am on a reducing dose I can feel depressed, but I think you should discuss your symptoms, especially the breathlessness with your gp or nurse practioner.

Best wishes

Dottymott11 years ago

Many thanks knitter, I did ring my gp, and she said the weepy ness can be the reduction so I'm now reducing by 0.5 mg per week, the breathlessness could also be the reduction but she said if it continues or worsens to go in, the only reason I am having to reduce is for certain blood tests to be carried out for a diagnosis, can't believe the difference they made to me xx

Dottymott11 years ago

Thanks fibberti, the rheumatologist thinks I am too young for pmr ( I've just turned 50 ) and the tests are for other auto immune diseases, that aside I'd been suffering terrible pain for months to the point I almost gave in to crutches! And after just one dose of the pred I was back to my old self! So to now be a weeping wreck is a big change for me xx

Dottymott• in reply toDottymott11 years ago

Forgot to mention, my breathing was fine prior to the steroids, and it's a new thing that started after I started to reduce them!! Xx

appyalison11 years ago

Hi dottymott, I was on v high dose of pred and found it soooooooooooo hard to reduce dose. Symptoms returned and i felt wretched. I found I had to reduce very slowly indeed to reduce the pain, disease symptoms and stress. I am, therefore, very anxious indeed to be told I will be on long term pred again. Good luck Alison

Dottymott11 years ago

Hi Alison, thanks for your reply, I really sympathise with you I know that I feel dreadful, it's strange as I had none of the symptoms associated with being on long term steroids at all, it's just the coming off them! Good luck to you too xxx

moneal11 years ago

Great while they work, but like smoking very hard to kick the habit. All sorts of strange things happen as I try to reduce (been on a high dose for over a two years) and unfortunately I can not take pred unless it is the soluble variety which are not available in 1mg, within a couple of hours I blow up like a balloon and can hardly move, then have to take Windeze or similar.

They do play with your emotions, from tearful to short tempered and feeling good to feeling awful. It's a case of braving it out, but your GP or our wonderful nurses on here should be able to offer you some guidance

Good luck

Dottymott• in reply tomoneal11 years ago

Many thanks xxx

strudle11 years ago

Hi Dotty My experience has been about the same its a life savor but turns into the devil when u try to shake it(smile) Good luck u can do it.

Dottymott11 years ago

Hi strudel, it certainly is the devil, I turn into moody Margaret,or snivelling Sheila for the two days following a decrease!! Am down to 10/11 mg alternate days, from 15 mg daily , getting there slowly but surely xxx

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