Weaning off Prednisolone after miscarriage

[Catlady12345]

Hi Ladies,

Sorry for another question, but I have been on 20mg of Steroids for 6/7 weeks since my transfer. Sadly my pregnancy ended in a mmc and I have been advised to wean myself off the steroids. The clinic haven't been too clear about what that means. I was taking 4 5mg tablets per day, and just wondered what everyone else did about reducing the dose?

They've said to wean off over 7 days, but it seems quite short for the amount of time I have been on them.

Any advice?

Thanks x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Catlady. So sorry to hear about the MMC and hope you've got plenty of support just now. My suggestion re weaning off prednisolone woulde be one tablet Monday, Wednesday and Friday. One tablet Monday and Thursday the following week, then a final one on the following Monday. Diane

[Catlady12345 in reply to DianeArnold]

thanks Diane! I’m taking 4 per day, (5mg each) so I was going to drop down to 3 for a few days, then 2 for a few days, then 1 etc?

I’m just worried as I’ve heard horrible side effects from coming off them so trying to be sensible about the doses xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Catlady12345]

Hi. That should be fine. The drug has a very strong "feel good" factor, so if you suffer with the slightest ache or pain, it will be camouflaged. Stopping abrupty will make a tiny ache feel like a big kick for a few days, until it settles down. You should be fine. Diane

[Koala365 in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi Diane, Could it camouflage a cold and sore throat too? My OH has one at the moment and has tested negative for COVID but I am in the process of weaning myself off the prednisilone (last day of 3 tablets tomorrow before then moving down to 2) and have no symptoms at all. We have been all the same places as each other since about Sunday too. I was planning on seeing elderly relatives on Fridayho won't want to catch a nasty cold so I just wondered! Many thanks,

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Koala365]

Hi Koala. Weaning off prednisolone won't have any bearing on you catching a cold sore or not. Just keep away from your OH's sore and likewise, don't kiss any elderly relative, just to be on the safe side. Diane

[Koala365 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks Diane. It's actually a sore throat that he has not a cold sore. I was wondering whether I could have the same virus he has but not feel any pain in my throat because the prednisolone I am on is making me feel good and therefore masking the pain. Is that possible do you think?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Koala365]

Hi. Yes, that could happen, but you would most likely get a sore throat too, if you are unfortunate. Diane

[Kimbob82 in reply to Catlady12345]

That's exactly how you're meant to do it catlady, I've weaned off them many times. Coming down from the 4 tablets... I do 3 tablets for two days... then 2 tablets for three days and then one tablet for about 4 days.. I'd rather wean off them very slowly otherwise you can cause damage to your adrenals and you just feel awful in general if you don't. Sorry to hear about your miscarriage xx

[Purple276]

As Kimbob says that's exactly right to do slowly. My clinic says reduce by 5mg every 3 days ending with 5mg on alternate days for 3 doses so 5mg nil 5mg nil 5mg stop.

Really sorry for the sad news too and sending you best wishes

[Koala365]

I am currently in the process of weaning myself off prednisilone following my embryo transfer not being successful. I have weaned myself off them once before following a previous cycle. I was on 4 x 5mg tablets per day and was told to go down to 3 x 5 mg tablets for 3 days then 2 x 5 mg tablets for 3 days then 1 x 5 mg tablet for 3 days then take one every other day for 6 days so don't take one the next day then do take 1x5 mg the following day then no tablets the next day then do take 1 x 5 mg the next day then no tablet the next day then do take 1 x 5mg then stop altogether. However this time they just told me the number of tablets per day but looking at my notes from last time, they were quite specific e.g on the days when I was taking 3 tablets they wanted me to take 2 x 5mg in the morning and 1 x 5 mg in the evening and on days with 2 tablets it was 1 x 5mg in the morning and 1 x 5mg in the evening. Having just started to cut down to 3 tablets a day yesterday and having taken all 3 together in the morning yesterday and today, I am going to double check with the clinic whether I should have split the dose between morning and evening like I did before. I am very sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Please take lots of time off work to work through things and be kind to yourself and don't rush back too soon like I did xx