Need advice

[Roy2277]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone is using prednisone for long term,, I am currently taking 15mg a day, if I try to cut back or come off I get very short of breath and my heart beats very fast, also while I'm taking it am able to sleep at night. My doc wants me off the drug but it sure does help me. Any advice, thanks, Roy

[sassy59]

Hello Roy, my husband Pete has been on pred since 1991 and takes 10mg each morning. He has been advised to come off them completely but feels he can’t so will stay as he is.

Hope that helps a little. Xxxxx

[Ergendl]

These magic bullets work wonders at first but come with a lot of side effects when taken long term. Your doctor is paying attention to your long term health in advising you to come off them.

[jabber]

Ergendl is right. It is in your interest to come off the pred if you can, but it's not a quick process. Your body is used to that dosage and you have to get it used to lower amounts very slowly. Could you reduce to 14mg a day for a while (I assume 1mg tablets are still available), then when comfortable with that down to 13mg, and so on? Many years ago I was in the same position as you but I eventually got down to 5mg a day. Once I'd been there for a while I started taking them every other day and from there gradually came right off them. It was so slo-o-o-w but worth doing. Now I can use them as a rescue pack in short bursts without worrying about side effects and withdrawal symptoms.

The very best of luck, Jan

[wheezyof]

Hello Roy,

Please take your doctor's advice and come off the tablets. You will need to reduce slowly. I was on prednisolone for 2 years. It wrecked my health.

Weight gain, steroid cataracts, osteoporosis, bruising, skin thinning, hair thinning on head but facial hair growing, weakened stomach, and lowered my immune system. (Catching EVERY bug going is no fun)

I'm not saying all this will happen to you : I'm unlucky that I reacted so badly.

However, long term you stand more chances of one/some of these things happening.

Steroids are great but not long term for some people. If your doctor wants you to wean off them then please do.

To come off them I had to reduce very slowly, even though they were damaging my health, it took 4 months to reduce them to 2mgs a day, then a week of every other day. Then stop.

[Tricity125]

Hi. Roy. These meds . are majic I have used for over 10 yrs. and. I would say helped to keep me alive very strong med that produce cortised that's what yr kidney make if Iam right. But by taking a med that copies yr putting a strain on yr system. If yr taking but no reason like like say you have a ongoing. Infection my advice would be find a NEW DR that. Keeps a eye on you. But. Until you find such. A Dr. My be. Try cut down over a period I would think about a week to 2. But. It's yr. Body. I've been told that if and when I get a lung Transplant I will need. 3 shots of 1000 ml. 🤢

[Tricity125]

You can brake. Tablets in half and quarter

[Caspiana]

Hi Roy2277 .

As others have pointed out, long term use of the devil's tic-tacs can wreak havoc. I have been on a low maintenance dose for a few years now and my doctor will not take me off them completely. However, that is specific to my case. I am sure your doctor has good reason to encourage you to go off them. I did have quite a bit of trouble when tapering the dosage, it can be uncomfortable.

Take care,

Cas xx 🌿

[Kristicats]

If you choose to withdraw then do it very gradually specially during the winter months and monitor yourself as you go ?

[poeticlady]

I would strongly recommend that you do all you can to reduced your steroids.with a view to completely stop. For your long term health. I have been taking prednisolne 40mg daily for 15yrs at least due to severe asthma. Numerous problems have occured over the years.i am now on the monthly injections of metzob (NUCALA).I have managedto reduce to 20mg.but the side effects have been bad. Prednisolne is a wonderful drug to get you out of trouble but its a double sided coin..reduce slowly .less anxious about it then

Good luck. Keep talking to your doctor

[Lizzie34]

Unable to sleep! Pred. Does that. You can Ask your dr. To give you some sedation or small amount of Serapax. Talk to your dr. And don’t worry!

[Hidden]

Hello Roy

You must be referred to an endocrinologist who will help to wean you if necessary.

I have to decrease by 1mg a month more or less down to 7.5mg but I am seeing the endocrinologist in December.

Take care.

[Bronchi1]

Hi....I only take high dose of inhaled steroid and have done for 25 years. My skin tears like paper, my face is hairy and keeping the weight down is a struggle. The side effects are an endless list. However they are very effective. It's a hard choice to be made. Reduce if you can.