For my lung inflammation I was prescribed 40mg prednisolone for 3 weeks and then 20mg prednisolone for 3 weeks. I'm finally on my final week of this prescription. The side effects have been awful (I can't sleep and I've gained a stone... so hungry all the time!)
I'm so desperate to get off these tablets. Will I have to taper off of it if it's only been 6 weeks? How long does tapering take? Do you get withdrawal side effects when you taper off?
I will be asking these same questions to my doctor this week but I can't see them till the end of the week and I am impatient. I know it differs for each person but I'd like to know peoples thoughts as I don't understand this steroid much.
Thank you
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sleepycocoa
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For sure your doctor is the best person to ask, from my own experience, I started low then increased gradually stayed fixed for a fortnight and then slowly tapered off again, but that was a time I was on them for 3 months (and instructions from my own doctor regarding tapering). I had the proper moon face, weight gain sleepless nights but loads of energy and they did make me feel so much better and more positive about things oh yes and the munchies. But then I had been ill with a chest infection for over 7 months that didn't respond to anti biotics. The steroids did the trick though. The side affects are not so good.
It will no doubt be different for you. Steroids act to reduce the inflammation in the lungs / body. Not tapering off in some cases can give rise to more horrendous side affects.
I drop 10 mg every 3 days unless i feel the withdrawal symptoms kicking in then i will remain on that dose for another couple of days then resume dropping the dose every 3 days untill im done. The Dr will advise you but we all react differently so listen to your body and try to let how you feel guide you. As your Dr isent the one taking them dont let him tell you what to do but do let him guide you. They do have some knowledge 😉
They are horrible but the effects wear off. I would taper after 6 weeks and take a week to do it. Just remember when you are hating them they are keeping you alive....😉
Welcome to the club! It could have been me writing your post.
I have recently finished steroids and was up most nights for a couple of hours and was ravenous so have put on 11lbs! One night I sat down with a cake tin full of cherry cake and kept going until it was all gone. Other nights it was crisps, biscuits, bowls of cereal - anything I could lay hands on. I was so hungry I just couldn't sleep.
I've been on Pred lots of times before and have never been affected so badly in the past. This time it's been a nightmare.
I started with 2 weeks on 40mg and no tapering (unusual for me, but I followed the drs instructions and my consultant has previously said that I shouldn't need to taper off if only on them for 2 weeks). I had to go back on them shortly afterwards and was then put on 30mg for 2 weeks and to then taper off by one tablet every 4 days. It took for ever but the result is that I haven't had the 'rebound' effect I had before. In future, I will always taper off.
In the past I have been told different things by different medics. As I said, my consultant thought it unnecessary to taper off after only 2 weeks use. My (then) GP advised that I taper off by 1 tablet every other day. My current GP advised I simply stop them after 2 weeks (in line with what the consultant said) and then another doctor at the local 'hot spot' (where I was sent when the chest wasn't clearing up and the cough had become worse so GP wouldn't see me in surgery) prescribed the 2 weeks and then taper off one every 4 days. However, she didn't actually prescribe enough pills to do so, but I had my rescue meds at home so was able to comply.
Most times the Pred has just given me a bit more energy to do things I would otherwise struggle with. I call it the Prednisolone High! I do feel wonderful when I'm on them usually so don't know why this time was so different.
Good luck with shifting the extra stone! I am pleased to say that my appetite has now returned to normal so I am hoping to shed my 11 lbs without too much trouble.
I live in France. I am a big guy and was put on 80mg for 2 months to reduce lung inflammation, then 60mg for 2 weeks, 40 mg for 2 weeks and go down to 30 mg for 2 weeks tomorrow, thereafter 20mg, 15mg, 10mg every 2 weeks. I am also prescribed vitamin D3 and potassium to counter the side effects. The steroids have really helped my P F and I've actually lost a little weight as I have also been put on a low salt, low sugar diet to reduce the risk of diabetes. (Haven't reduced my wine intake though!). Also, for what it's worth, I started a 6 week rehabilitation programme last week and can already feel the benefit, although it's hard work. I'm in the care of a specialist pneumology team at a large teaching hospital who clearly know way more than me about my condition and I follow their advice diligently which is definitely benefitting me. Whilst it's great to share other's experiences, we all have different symptons at different stages. My advice is to listen to the medical experts who, I believe, know best.
My consulatnt has always told me that tapering off from Steroids is necessary if they have been taken for three weeks or more. When I have been discharged from hospital eachtime I have received a pre-printed tapering off sheet from the Pharmacy. It usually takes about 30 days. But, that is only my experience. Good luck 😊
tapering off I just reduce the amount of pills per day 6 one day 5 the next and so on you
will find you will go down but you will recover to your normal level they do the job but
side affects like bruises that appear if you knock yourself with out knowing not sleeping
Hi, I'm on them at the moment too, starting at 30mg for 2 weeks, 25mg for 2 weeks, 20mg for 2 weeks, followed by tapering down by 5mg each week.
This means I will be finishing with 5mg for 7 days. Your doctor will advise you how best to take them but you shouldn't get side effects if it's tapered appropriately.
Hi sleepycocoa, l know exactly how you feel , l started off on 8 tablets a day ,that was over a year ago,lm now on one tablet a day 5 mg ,at first l was on top of the world ,after about 8 months l started getting the down side of steroids. they nocked me side ways .hopefully l will be off them altogether by the end of the year. l hope you are off them soon , god bless Rodders1941
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