Has anyone with COPD tried to reduce ... - Lung Conditions C...

Lung Conditions Community Forum

55,064 members65,851 posts

Has anyone with COPD tried to reduce daily steroid dose.

hallentine47 profile image
15 Replies

I am 69 with severe COPD and Emphysema and have been taking prednisolone steroids

for 4 years on and off but almost constantly for the last 2 years. I have reduced from 30 mg to 9 mg very gradually to avoid with drawal reaction but I seem stuck on 9 mg. I have tried reducing to 8 1/2 mg but after a few days find my breathing very labored and so I increase back to 9 mg. With all the side effects and problems being created by the Steroids I really want to get of them other than when I have a virus or exacerbation. Has anyone else been in a similar position and how did you get on please.

Written by
hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

15 Replies
sassy59 profile image
sassy59

Hi hallentine, my hubby Pete has sarcoidosis and COPD (Bronchitis) and has been on steroids for 25 years reducing from 30mg to 10mg. The Hospital doctor now wants him to reduce down to 5mg as steroids have caused a few problems over the years. He is currently on 9mg and next month 8mg etc. We have yet to see if he can do it but it would be good if he could.

I do wish you well and will let you know how things go. Take care xx

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47 in reply to sassy59

Yes please. I am very interested i his progress as it sound so like my own situation. Thank you sassy59

seyre profile image
seyre

I have been lead to believe that once you are below 10mg there should not be any side effects. Personally I think if it makes it easier to breathe I would continue as you are. Sue x

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47 in reply to seyre

Hi Sue

My community nurse would agree with you but I a told I have steroid induced boarder Diabetes and onset Osteoporosis and my Dentist says I have bone loss. I have had taken out three big molars in a year and it all points to long term use of steroids. Its catch 22!

sassy59 profile image
sassy59 in reply to hallentine47

Pete has osteoporosis and his teeth are crumbling hallentine. Xxx

duffer profile image
duffer

I always struggle to come off steroids once I get below about 10mg. I think what is happening is that your body normally produces about 7-8mg steroids daily anyway. Once you start taking Prednisalone above 10mg your body detects enough steroid levels and stops producing any. Once you start reducing to near this level, especially after a long period, your body has not started to produce again yet so it suffers low steroid level effects.

I have to 'acclimatize' to each reduction before moving on to give my body time to react and start producing natural steroids again. I would suggest you stay at 9mg for at least 2-3 weeks and then reduce at 1mg per month. It may take some time for your body to react but it will sort it out if you give it time.

Hope this helps, good luck. Joe

rattles profile image
rattles in reply to duffer

Excellent reply duffer, the only way is to do it very slowly as duffer has said. Best of luck. x

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47 in reply to duffer

Thanks Duffer. I have managed to reduce in the way tou suggest from 30 mg a day over 3 years but its these final numbers that confound me. I don't seem able to reduce even half mg without problems below 9mg.

Are there any herbalists near you? If so try to get to one. Liquorice in pure form has natural steroid properties and may help with the effects of reducing them. I went down 0.5 at a time and suffered awful withdrawals. Pains in my joints etc. You should be checked for adrenal fatigue as you reduce them as Duffer previously mentioned your body can stop producing steroids if on them a long time.

I hate the bloody things. Good luck xxx

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47 in reply to

Thank you nfanning fir that information and I will look into it my local Health Food shop to see if they can help. I hate the bloody things also but without them I would have been in serious trouble last December when I spent 18 nights in Intensive Care as a result of Pneumonia.

in reply to hallentine47

If you can get to a herbalist rather than health food shop it would be even better but anything is better than nothing! Jesus you poor thing. Best of luck reducing them, it's not easy xxx

jellytas profile image
jellytas

Hi,it's not easy ,I've tried hard myself recently but without complete success.Every time I get down to a lower level (below ten) like you I get bad and have to increase again.I found Duffer's comments very comparable.There's a good site on line,give it a try:

CSS Association.org Reducing steroids while on a low dose by Marian Mesker.

Good luck.Nigel.

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47 in reply to jellytas

Thanks Nigel. Plenty to get whats left of my teeth into!!

butterfly31851 profile image
butterfly31851

hi,

It is very difficult. I am on 15mg a day as soon as I drop to 10mg I have problems.

I have been told to drop 1mg every 2 weeks to give my body a chance to sort itself out!

I will give it a go.

hallentine47 profile image
hallentine47 in reply to butterfly31851

Thanks for your reply and best of luck like wise.

The ability to reply to this post has been turned off.

You may also like...

Steroids for COPD flare up

who prescribed anti biotics and steroids which I have not had for years. I took the first dose with...

Does anyons has experience if Steroids make worst Bronchiectasis?

I have been prescribe steroids for my bronchiectasis that is mild to moderate. Normally I dont cough

COPD - ANYONE HAVE HELP WITH WASHING/DRESSING ETC

diagnosed with Emphysema back in 2018 and then in 2019 with COPD. Supposed to have had a yearly...

Anyone tried lung training?

definitely breathe easier afterwards and I’ve noticed a general improvement. Especially after...

Grandad has COPD

experience dysphagia with COPD or whilst having a chest infection with COPD? They are not doing...