I am currently tapering down below 6mg Prednisolone. If we assume the adrenal gland is fully responding with cortisol to make up the deficit, do you still get symptoms from steroid withdrawal ?
I have been taking steroids since May 2024 and reached a maximum dose of 20mg before tapering.
. If we assume the adrenal gland is fully responding with cortisol to make up the deficit, do you still get symptoms from steroid withdrawal ?
I'm afraid to say you cannot assume that at all..especially as if they haven't woken up at all yet.. which is quite likely at 6mg.. and can take up to 12 months after finishing Pred to be at full throttle -.
Have a look at this re adrenals etc - and you can get steroid withdrawal [SW] symptoms at any dose, but when you are at low doses sometimes it difficult to know what is SW and what is adrenals stuttering -
healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...
Hi DL
I think we are at cross purposes. Perhaps I should have said for an individual whose adrenal gland switches on straight away and makes up the deficit will you still get symptoms from withdrawing from the steroid itself. But it sounds as though the answer is ‘yes’.
My point is that they don’t switch once you’ve been above 7- 8mg and for more than 3weeks… as most on her have been. They need nudging into life again.
Those who only take steroids for a short period for an acute issue -which I did a few years ago and only for 2 weeks-there was no issue in them working. No issues with steroid withdrawal either after such a short period.
Ok, thanks. The reference you gave was also very helpful.
I’m sure I did because it was quick to start and over in a week whereas my low adrenal symptoms were a constant grind or popped up when I overdid something. As I got to very low doses the withdrawal symptoms were much less marked.
Thanks Snazzy. What were the ‘very low doses’ ?
Under 2 I think.
we are all different though as are our lives, and it isn’t an exact science. Have you got symptoms?
My stiffness in the am has lasted longer, I have felt fatigued and gone to bed early and I am shivering. It’s my 5 day since dropping 0.5 mg.
Would say a combination of slightly too low dose[ am stiffness], although that may improve in next couple of days… and adrenals [fatigue and shivering].
But will just throw in, you haven’t caught a virus have you? Maybe try paracetamol and see if they help,,and can you check your temperature?
.
Temp. Is fine and I don’t think I have a virus. I didn’t know that shivering was a symptom, so that helps. Many thanks again.
I agree with DL - did the morning stiffness appear straight away? Is it worsening or improving?
No, the stiffness and other symptoms took 5 days to appear after the drop. Today was about the same as yesterday I think.
That suggests the dose is now too low - be careful.
Ok, thanks
The adrenal glands DON'T switch on overnight - it isn't a toggle ON/OFF light switch, it is more like a dimmer switch that sticks and jams!
Your body tends to also react to the change in dose - you can have steroid withdrawal effects even at high doses well above the range at which cortisol lack or not is an issue - which is anything above 10mg but some people will notice a 5mg change in dose at well above 20mg. As you get to the low doses, under 10mg for example, each change in dose becomes a higher proportion and you may notice it more. Steroid withdrawal symptoms at those higher doses are not the same as signs of adrenal insufficiency.
understanding withdrawal and flare
PMR Symptoms or Pred Withdrawal
Prednisolone withdrawal.
prednisolone withdrawal 
Prednisolone withdrawal
