cold turkey

[hatesteroids]

I was taking 5 mg of prednisone for hypopituitarism daily for 2 years. I stopped cold turkey since they didnt seem to make any difference for illnesses intended. I had gained over 35 pounds on these horrible meds. I just stopped taking them one day. It has been 2 months free and no side effects.

[helixhelix]

Well, it's your choice and I'm glad you're doing fine. But not something to recommend to others as even if 5mg is at the bottom limit for adrenal insufficiency following your example could have serious consequences for others.

[nomoreheels]

You've been very fortunate, I'm pleased you didn't experience acute adrenal insufficiency or adrenal crisis by just stopping your pred after taking it so long. I'm not sure it's advisable for anyone to risk taking this approach, they may not be as fortunate as you if they don't follow a personalised safe taper. I'm due to start tapering prednisolone, in fact I'd been on deflazacort 3mg nearly 5 years & in order to start a safe taper I've had to change over to prednisolone 2.5mg as deflazacort isn't produced in anything less than 6mg tablets. I envisage it being several months before I'm steroid-free.

I hope you continue to be ok, I guess after 2 months of no side effects you've been very lucky. I'm intrigued though, how have you explained to the original prescriber that you're not filling your repeat scripts for the pred?

[helenlw7]

You are very lucky to be streroid free, and if I was a jealous person I would be green!

After many years on various levels of pred With it's varied side effects, I decided two years ago I needed to come off it, so with the understanding of my lung and rheumatologist I very gradually reduced my daily dose from 15mg. I got down to 5mg before Christmas, but felt so ill. My breathing wasn't good, my joints were really painful and the stiffness had returned. I saw my lung consultant in January, and he referred me to an endocrinologist. We decided to return my pred to 7.5 mg. the endocrinologist diagnosed adrenal insufficiency. While I'm not happy to still be on steroids, I feel so much better now than I did before Christmas.

[oldtimer]

The result suggests that you didn't have adrenal insufficiency after all - lucky you.

[LesJames]

I have been on steroids for over ten years, my new consultant cannot understand why I have been on them so long. I am currently on 10 mg and have severe adrenal insufficiency. Most of my original symptoms are back with a vengeance. On the letter to my GP from the Endocrinologist he suggests I remain on steroids for ever, he suggests 7.5mg. As I said I am on 10mg now and have severe difficulty from head to toe. So it looks to me my maintenance dose may 10+. I have put on 5 stone since going on these, I cut myself by just brushing against most things and have Glaucoma and the onset of cataracts.. Recently I have been diagnosed with early onset vascular dementia. Coming down off steroids for me has now become dangerous. I am pleased for you that you have not had setbacks, but please don’t advocate others follow your lead.