Hi All,
Whilst I plan on double checking with my Mum’s Respiratory Consultant today, I was wondering whether anyone else has previously stopped a two week course of Prednisolone (40mg a day) without gradual weaning/reduction please, as that is what the medication instructions imply?
Thank you in advance.
Hi, I can only say that Pete has never just stopped that many steroids without gradually weaning himself off. No doctor has ever advised him just to stop. Do check with your mum’s consultant.
Take care and stay safe. Xxxxx
Hi, I have been prescribed a 3 week course of prednisolone and stopped without tapering off. It was prescribed by a consultant who said that tapering is only needed when it has been taken for over 3 weeks. I have, however, also been prescribed a 2 week course of prednisolone by a different consultant and been tapered off slowly.
If you have no specific medical advice then it is probably best to check.
Thank you CDPO16, good to know!!!
Whilst there is no mention of tampering on the steroid instructions, I have just noticed a hand written note by the Hospital Pharmacist on the prescription carbon copy and it would appear they double checked.
Thanks again for your kind assistance 😊
That would suggest that she is ok just to stop without tapering.
Thank you 😊
PS. I would have thought that if she needed to taper, a further supply of pred would have been issued with clear instructions on how to reduce the dose before stopping. Blessed with afterthought!
Good thinking Brains!!! 👍🏻
Brains not as sharp as they used to be, hence the afterthought 🙄 xx
I would say its always best to discuss with Consultant or GP if its safe to stop first and then discuss be aware of what may result generally if the problem being treated is no longer treated with prednisolone and if there is any alternative that may help the problem.
Good you are speaking with the Respiratory Consultant today.
hi , l stopped takeing steroids in one go then it felt like l had fallen of a cliff,
l could hardly lift my arms , so be very careful . take care Rodders 41
Oh my goodness rodders1941, thank you for the heads up! Praying the improvement she has made is permanent with no side effects from going cold turkey 🤞🏻
How long has you been taking them rodders?
Gladwyv hi yes lv been taking steroids for over a year lm down to 3 mg and hopeing to come off them altogether . take care Rodders 1941
Heavens rodders I’m not surprised you had such a reaction after such a lengthy time on them! I hope you dont suffer too long and that you are feeling much better now.
Thank you for answering my question. 😀
thanks for reply yes l did get over it but l never got back to were l was taking a high dose of steroids. a lot of people are hooked on them, they should be more caution from the doctors dishing them out take care Rodders
I would tend to agree with CPOD, that I have had steroids for a fortnight and just stopped. Another occasion I had them and was for a2 weeks and was tapered but that’s only because it was such a severe asthma attack, rather than because of the actual stopping of the steroids.
But obviously you must follow how your Dr (mums dr) prescribed them.
Y I have. I have asked in the past and our GPs also believe that you'd have to be on more than 3 weeks before needing tapering.
While consultants are very clever they are not the ones taking steriods. We are all different and thear for we all have different reactions. Some people can just stop them while others get terable withdrawel affects. I would ask for some step down steriods just incase then see if your mum needs them. She may be fine without. I hope she is feeling better soon 😷
I always have two weeks of Prednisolone, sometimes 8 a day and sometimes 6. I have received different advice from people.
I have been told, 'No need to taper off after only two weeks.', (Consultant)
'You need to taper off.' (GP)
'Whatever you do, don't just stop them, I'll always prescribe enough for you to taper off.', (Another GP)
'Drop the dose down by one tablet a day until weaned off.' (Hospital)
Drop the tablet down by one tablet every other day until weaned off.' (New GP)
Personally, I prefer to come off them by dropping down a tablet a day. That seems to work best for me, but you have to be guided by the medics. Just don't expect them all to give the same answer!
Hope your Mum gets better soon. xx Moy
Day 1 of no Prednisolone and nothing to report so far (touch Wood) except a sore throat. Could that be a side effect? How long does the immune system to take to recover does anyone know please?
Alternatively could it be the fluticasone furoate/vilanterol inhaler she is still taking for the rest of the month?
Thank you
The prednisolone has never caused me to have a sore throat.
Some of the inhalers can cause oral thrush if not followed by a gargle or a good mouth rinse.
It might be an idea for your mum to check her mouth (or you can do it if easier for her) and look for any red or whitish patches. If she has some, let the GP know as if she does have thrush, she can be prescribed something for it. I have never had it myself but I believe it can be very sore. xx Moy
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