Lower prednisalone

[Shandon1]

Went from 4mg pred to 3.5mg prednisalone and got very bad depression and upper left arm pain. Is this unusual?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Dubliner1,

Don't know about depression, but see my reply to Olive' post re reduction. Next post down.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Dubliner, the reason for the depression to set in at these very low doses could be that you are suffering from a shortage of natural steroid (cortisol) made by your adrenal glands. That natural production has been suppressed by the artificial steroid, Pred, and as you start reducing Pred from around the 7.5mg dose the adrenal glands have to start manufacturing the usual supply of cortisol again. Until that happens and they catch up, you can have a shortfall of cortisol in your body leading to increasing pain and depression. Other hormones in your body have also been disrupted and need to adjust back to normal again. Try increasing your steroid dose by 2-3mgs for a few days to see if that helps.

[Shandon1 in reply to Celtic]

Good advice. Thank you.