Heavy cold, lots of mucus…

[Exflex]

Upped my Pred from 1/4mg to 2mg yesterday. Prior to increase I was shaking and having been through adrenal insufficiency once before, I took the larger dose.

Today I’m feeling somewhat better, the shaking has gone. Am I ok to take 2mg or 1mg for say 3 days and drop immediately back to 1/4mg (I was on wk4 out of 5 of slow taper from 1/2mg). There’s no sign of PMR, just the adrenals struggling, I think.

I know this sort of question crops up time and time again, but I don’t think I’ve come across the situation mentioned here.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes - should be fine and definitely right to body-swerve an adrenal crisis.

[Exflex in reply to PMRpro]

Swift reply and thank you!

As many others have said here, principally your good self and Dorset Lady, Adrenals can take quite a long time to become fully competent after coming of Pred. Being on 1/4mg doesn’t mean I’m off, so I could have another 12 months where I will need an occasional ‘boost’ of Prednisolone. I know the Drs would go mad if I told them, so I won’t.

[SnazzyD]

play it by ear. If you find you can’t drop easily because your adrenals are still being asked to do too much, do it more slowly. There is no hard and fast rule and recovery from viruses are different each time. Any chance the shaking was low blood sugar or fever starting? Covid? Doesn’t seem to be a heavy cold that isn’t at the moment.

[Exflex in reply to SnazzyD]

I had carbs at tea-time so I suspect not. My money is on my Adrenals. 2 1/4mg yesterday, today 1 1/4 and all being well 3/4mg the day after then finish the last taper (1/2 to 1/4 mg). Then the big one: 1/4mg to 0. 😳

[Meggsy in reply to Exflex]

Good luck! I have been on 1/4mg for over 4 months and planning to begin DSNS taper tomorrow am. I have been very apprehensive about taking the step to zero but know I have to give it go. Fingers crossed for both of us.🤞