Dropping from 4mg of prednisolone to 3mg and I am experiencing nausea and palpitations any comments?

[michaelegan]

[steph1]

im not an experct but i would say u need to speak to GP as maybe u are on a to lower dose, how long have u been on preg and how quickly have u been reducing?

Steph

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hello michaelegan

Dropping down through the doses can sometimes have temporary weird effects on the body or you could perhaps have an infection of some sort lurking, but I feel it would be wise for you to get checked out by your GP. I hope you feel better soon - do come back and let us know how you get on.

[hannmorr]

Obviously if the symptoms continue for more than a week or two you should get it checked out but I often feel like that when I first drop my dose...shaky and often get sweats as well.You have made a very big drop in percentage terms from 4 mg to 3 mg..25% and most specialists recommend 10% drops when under 10mg daily.

Wait a while and see if things stabilise...if not get some advice..it may be that you have to go to 3.5 mg for a while then drop to 3 mg.

Good luck

[Hidden]

Hi Michael,

although the drop does not seem like much, you must remember that your adrenals are continually being pushed now, and they will still be a bit sleepy and, sometimes, just can't make it. What you are getting are quite common withdrawal symptoms.

See how you go for a few days - say 3, and if no better then go back to 4mg and stay there until you feel good again and then make another drop. If you are lucky enough to have 2.5mg tabs then use one with a 1mg and go to 3.5mg on alternate days for a week. If all goes well, then drop to the same dose every day for a couple of weeks. Just see how you go. Don't be in any hurry - remember that these low doses do virtually no harm to your body, so chill and take it easy. Don't spoil things now! If you have any return of symptoms along the way then up the dose to the one you felt good on and reduce more slowly.

If you only have 1mg tabs then you can easily cut one in half with a sharp blade. By the way, I do have 2.5mg tabs which are coated as you prob know, but I bite right through them before I swallow to make sure every vestige of drug gets right into my system. I'm on 7.5mg now and taking no chances.

Good luck, Pats.

[michaelegan]

Thank you al for your comments all very helpful. I'll apply your good advice. Egan

[Annodomini]

When I dropped from 4, I too 4 and 3 on alternate days for several weeks. Even so, I did feel tired when I went down to 3. The GP has told me not to rush into a further reduction until I feel fully comfortable on 3. Good luck.

[michaelegan]

Thanks Annodomini

[Pipistrelle]

I did half mg drops from 7.5 downwards and had few problems but always would have a week or two of noticeable increased achiness etc. Also hot flushes, heart palpitations, night sweats. At the moment am trying to totally come off preds after about two years (yay! You can get there!) and am on 1mg every three days -- getting heart palps still. It is a slow process to have your body adjust to going off it. Am really hoping the occasional palpitations (well more an accelerated beat for 5-6 beats now and then) and night sweats soon stop as they are annoying!

[michaelegan]

Thank you Pipistrelle, well done you. I hope your PMR stays away! Thanks again