Coming off prednisolone

[Scazzoh]

I have Hashi's. I had an ear problem (deafness and tinnitus) which turned out to be simple wax, now removed. However, prior to diagnosis, my GP sought advice from the ENT clinic who suggested prednisolone for 6 days - 60mg tapering down to 10mg. Their view was that this could be an inner ear problem and Pred would mitigate against long term damage. I felt great whilst I was on them - loads of energy. I stopped taking them last Monday and have felt really ill since then - poor balance, nausea, very tired, headache, horrible. Is this normal, and does anyone know how long this might last?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hi Scazzoh

When I had to have prednisolone last year for a flare up of my lung condition, I was given 40mg daily for 5 days. It wasn't tapered down, just stopped dead. Didn't give me loads of energy (I wish) nor did I have any after effects or felt ill. I know how long and hard you've struggled to be well, could the pred have upset the applecart?

[Scazzoh in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for your reply Susie. I think it might have. I haven't had my adrenals tested for ages because I have been feeling well, bu think they may be responding to the steroids. My cortisol was always high and DHEA low. I am feeling a bit better this morning, so hopefully it's a 'blip' which will wear off. Note to self: 'avoid steroids!'

[Wetsuiter in reply to SeasideSusie]

I always get a slump after steroids.

[Scazzoh in reply to Wetsuiter]

I'm more or less back to normal now, but it took 3 days. Glad I'm not the only one.

[Bramble83]

The slump will be because during the time whilst you’re taking the steroids, your adrenal glands don’t have to do anything, so have a bit of a nap!

The minute you stop taking the steroids, they have to do something again, but it can take them a few days to ‘wake up’ properly.

During the period of time when you’ve stopped the steroids but your adrenals are still ‘waking up’, so aren’t back to full production, your cortisol will be low and you will feel like rubbish!

[Scazzoh in reply to Bramble83]

Great explanation. I wouldn't like to feel that that for a long time. Thanks.