Fine tremors all over!

[Heidiypi1]

hi everyone just wondering I have been reducing my prednisone from 10mgs which I feel fine on, now down to 6:5mgs (started yesterday) dropping by half of 1mg every 5 to 7 days, I was originally on 25mgs. I have had this weird feeling started in my feet like I could feel the earth tremors now I feel it all over my body, I don’t think it’s visible all over but I can feel it in every part of my body now! my left hand visibly finely shakes and my head does to if I have a drink of any sort when my mouth reaches the cup or glass! Is this the PMR or the prednisone or is something else going on?..

I am seeing my Rhumy on the 24th I’ll be asking him, but I’m a bit worried about it! Any ideas please at all?…

[nallufl24]

I had tremors the entire time I was on prednisone. They went away after I stopped prednisone. I’m surprised yours didn’t start until you got to low doses.

[SheffieldJane]

If it was me, I would assume that it was withdrawal from Pred. symptoms and wait for it to settle. I would still mention it to my Rheumatologist though. The glass to the mouth issue does sound quite severe.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you really reducing 1/2mg every week or less? Under whose instructions? If so, I would suspect that could have something to do with the symptoms. The lower you get on pred, the slower you should be reducing and the usual recommendation is to reduce not more than 1mg per month below 10mg. At this stage your adrenal function must start to return to produce cortisol again to replace the lack of corticosteroid as the pred dose falls. That doesn't happen overnight - it can take months to catch up.

[SnazzyD]

reducing at that speed could certainly cause tremors.

[piglette]

If I understand you are reducing every week which does seem excessive. You have now got to the point where your adrenal glands have to start to wake up as they are no longer getting enough cortisol from the steroids. They can cause all sorts of strange symptoms. In my case it was mainly fatigue when I turned into a zombie.

[Heidiypi1]

thank you for your replies, it means a lot to me! I have put the handbrakes on a bit on the tapering I’m down to 5mg but I can’t seem to get down below this now! Had a severe reaction at 4:5mgs so went straight back to 5!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Heidiypi1]

YOu aren't heading for zero come what may - you are looking fr the lowest effective dose for now - and that appears to be 5mg! You will get lower- just not yet.