Needing sleep: I don't know if my post posted or... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Needing sleep

Noncontagious profile image
6 Replies

I don't know if my post posted or not. Looking for a better way to take 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 mg taper a prednisone and be able to sleep in the first three days. I literally have been up since yesterday and I mean not a wink of sleep. It'll be this way for about 2 more days and then I'll sleep in our two increments and then of course by the I'm a 3rd

4th day I'm exhausted so I'll sleep until I can't sleep

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6 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Hi,

10mg tapers are quite big even at high doses, so your body is obviously having problems adjusting to each drop. Don't know what dose you are on now, nor how quickly you've reduced, but think you need to slow down a bit.

Most people find if they reduce over a number of weeks rather than an overnight drop - e.g. Old dose one day, new dose next - they do not suffer from steroid withdrawal which is what yours sounds like.

Rose1bud profile image
Rose1bud in reply toDorsetLady

was on 30 mg for 2 weeks reduced from 30 to 20 yesterday my head feels very foggy could that be because of the reduction as my body getting used to the withdrawl

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toRose1bud

Hi Rose, a thirty per cent reduction sounds pretty high to me, particularly after only two weeks on 30mg, I am sure you could have steroid withdrawal at that amount. You may find that you are actually OK after a couple of days as some people can take high drops. On the other hand I think I might try smaller drops if you continue to feel bad.

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toRose1bud

Totally agree with piglette, too big a drop. No wonder you are feeling weird.

Recommended drop is usually no more than 10% of original dose, at 30mg that would be 3mg not 10mg!

Pred is no different from most drugs in that you have to taper sensibility- unfortunately lots of doctors seem to ignore that when they give you a reduction plan.

You may be one of the lucky ones who can take a bigger drop, certainly at the beginning, but you need to consider smaller reductions as you continue your journey with Pred.

My steroid withdrawal manifested itself as feeling generally unwell, short-tempered etc and only lasted a couple of days, so if your lasts much longer than 3 or 4 days you need to take advice.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toRose1bud

Hardly surprising you felt horrible - that is a 33% drop! Next time try 5mg at a time! And for some people even that is too much. The recommended reduction is not more than 10% of the current dose - so 2mg (2.5mg max) for the next steps down to 15mg. Then 1mg at a time.

Rose1bud profile image
Rose1bud

I started on 60 mg for 2 weeks then 50 for 2weeks then 40 for 2 weeks then 30 for 2 weeks and now 20 for 2 weeks and now on the second day of 20 and feeling quiet weird thank u for comments most grateful

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