Steroid withdrawal..?

[Monawhite1]

Hi everybody. 3rd time of posting on here and find this web community such a help. My health centre not very good at all. My Copd nurse is hardly ever there. I have emphysema as confirmed by an x Ray 2 winters ago and because I have kept on to the Dictors at the health centre I should be getting, hopefully soon an appointment with a chest specialist to see if my bronchi tubes are damaged as well. I have been suffering this winter with chest infections and maybe bad flare ups. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference but have been treated with various ab and 3 courses of steroids. I have 2 puffers one of which is a steroid one. And ventolin for when my chest gets tight. I finished the 3rd course of steroids 5mg last Friday and boy have I gone downhill. My energy is nil and I have flu like symptoms and feel really shakey and weak. My chest does not feel so bad and I do not have a temperature or swollen glands so wondering if this is a sudden withdrawal from the steroids and wonder if anybody else has had similar symptoms. I did feel ok when I was on them not brilliant but loads better than is. I know steroids not good for us but helpful when we are really suffering but am wondering whether I should have kept taking for 3 weeks with a few days inbetween . My health centre kept advising me to do so just took their advice. Any advice gratefully received thanks Mona

[Channell]

Yes once I'm off steroids a couple if days I go down hill on a lot more Medstead than u but what your saying us all what happens I'd speak to someone. Each one as u might need more steroids

[mrsmummy]

If you abruptly stop taking prednisolone or taper off too quickly, you might experience prednisolone withdrawal symptoms: Prednisolone is similar to cortisol, a hormone naturally made by your adrenal glands. If you take prednisolone for more than a few weeks, your adrenal glands decrease cortisol production. A gradual reduction in prednisolone dosage gives your adrenal glands time to resume their normal function. I suggest you have a chat with your GP.

[Monawhite1 in reply to mrsmummy]

Thank you mrsmummy for replying to my post. Yes I have booked a doctors appointment for tomorrow and yes I think this is why I am feeling so rubbish as I have never taken so many steroids before and yes just stopped them. What you have said about the adrenal glands makes absolute sense. Thank you. Will see what the doctor says tomorrow and hope he agrees as I am convinced now that is my problem. Thanks mrsmummy x

[MoyB]

I was having a chest infection on a monthly basis so was having AB and prednisilone every couple of weeks then stopping for two weeks, then infection again. My consultant had said ok to stop the preds dead but my new GP suggested weaning off for the reasons given by mrsmummy. Since weaning in early November, I've had no chest infections so it seems to have done the trick - or could be coincidence - but I doubt it.

[mskpjb]

My doctor always said if you take steroids for a week you could stop right away but if taken for ten days or more you shoul reduce gradually. Stopping suddenly can cause a "crisis" and make you seriously ill. Sheila

[sarcoid123]

I take long term steroids 5mg a day. I agree with all the posts above that if you take 5mg prednisolone for 5 days or more you need to taper them down. 1mg tablets are also prescribed so your doctor may perhaps suggest you go back on 5mg for a short while so that you feel better, then taper down to 4mg for a week or so perhaps longer, then 3mg for a week or so, and so on. As I understand it this allows your adrenal glands to 'kick back in'.

[Monawhite1 in reply to sarcoid123]

Hi sarcoid123 thanks for your message. I have been to the docs tonight and he has given me 3 courses of 5mg prednisolone to take over 15 days decreasing the tablets every 5 days and then I have to go back to see him. I wonder if I will go then on the lower dose ones. Bit cross with myself for taking so many and not realising that if I stopped them cold turkey there would be such awful withdrawal symptoms. I felt so ill for 4 days and only realised what the matter was by reading others experiences on here. None of my doctors or my Copd nurse told me to watch it when coming off of them. Thank you for your info and hope u are keeping well.