Whay should l do please?

[Teacup777]

I have been on prednisolone for the last 14 months and have been tapering down the last few months and l am now done to 4mg daily. I have been ill for last couple of days after an increase in my Buprenorhine patch it was too strong for me it has made me v poorly and l been unable to take prednisolone because of being sick. Should l go back on prednisolone and continue to taper or or? If l dont will l get withdrawal symptoms? The last thing l want now after being poorly is to get withdrawal symptoms. Any advice would be appreciated.

[SnazzyD]

Poor you. It is likely your adrenal function isn’t running on its own yet, especially as you’re still topping it up artificially with Pred. Are you able to take the Pred now? If you can you really should and do get on an even keel before even thinking about reducing. If you are not able to take the Pred you need to seek medical advice now in case you have an adrenal crisis where your body can’t cope with not enough Pred or your own cortisol plus having this problem at the same time. Symptoms of adrenal crisis are deep fatigue, nausea, weakness, abdominal pain, amongst others. Have a read of this. patient.info/doctor/adrenal...

[Teacup777 in reply to SnazzyD]

Thank you so much for advice l have now taken them.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

You MUST keep taking the pred - and you may need it more than ever if you are unwell as Snazzy has explained. This isn't a question of withdrawal symptoms due to change in dose - it is poor adrenal function leading to a lack of an essential substance, cortisol, which is being replaced by the pred.

If you can't keep it down for an hour or so then you may need to get the GP to give you an injection to make up for it.

[Teacup777 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your advice, l have now taken tabs, l didnt know whether the weakness and shakiness plus few other symptoms was due to being so poorly . Hopefully this will now soon pass.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Teacup777]

Some of it may well be due to the lack of pred