Prednisone is a synthetic corticosteroid drug that is used to treat a variety of conditions including: asthma, adrenal insufficiency, Cron’s disease, inflammatory diseases, some types of cancer, hives, nephrotic syndrome, lupus, Meniere’s disease, and hives. It is also used to help with organ transplants by preventing bodily rejection to the new organ. This is a drug that is also used to help with severe migraine headaches, leukemia, lymphoma, and various types of tumors. It works by replacing steroids that are naturally produced by the body.
Essentially this is a drug that mimics your body’s natural hormones produced from the adrenal glands. When prescribed in significant doses, Prednisone works to help suppress inflammation. In the event that a person’s immune system is attacking its own tissues (as is the case with autoimmune diseases), this drug can help reduce activity by suppressing immune system functioning. It affects the “HPA” or hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis when taken longer than 7 days.
Although Prednisone can be a life saving drug when used to treat certain conditions, others that are on it for a less-significant condition may be extremely unhappy with the drug’s side effects. If you can no longer cope with the side effects as a result of Prednisone use, it may be time to withdraw. Once you have spoken with your doctor about withdrawal and have made up your mind, you will want to educate yourself on the potential symptoms that you may experience upon discontinuation.
Factors that influence Prednisone withdrawal include:
When it comes to any medication, there are factors that influence the severity of withdrawal. Various factors that will play a role in determining how difficult the withdrawal process is include: time span, dosage, individual physiology, and whether you quit cold turkey or tapered. If you experience a very severe withdrawal, it is likely due to one or more of these factors.
1. Time Span
How long have you taken Prednisone? In general the longer you are on this particular steroid, the longer it’s going to take your body to readjust to functioning without it. If you are on it for longer than 2 weeks, it can affect your adrenal glands’ ability to produce cortisol. Therefore your body and brain become dependent on the Prednisone for everyday functioning when taken for an extended period. If you are only on this drug for a couple weeks, you should have a much easier time coping with the withdrawal compared to someone on it for months and/or years.
2. Dosage (2 mg to 80 mg)
Since this drug is used to treat a variety of conditions, the dose that you are taking will depend on the condition that you are treating. The maximum recommended dose per day is 80 mg. Most people are taking somewhere between 2 mg and 30 mg per day. In any event, the greater the dosage you take for an extended period of time, the more severe your withdrawal symptoms will likely be. Someone that is on a very low maintenance dose of Prednisone should have a much easier (and quicker) time withdrawing compared to someone who is on the maximum recommended daily dose.
3. Individual Factors
Since this is a powerful corticosteroid, it likely will result in withdrawal symptoms in nearly everyone that took it for an extended period of time. However, the severity of those symptoms can vary depending on the individual. People that were on very high doses for a long term may have a very severe physiological response upon discontinuation, while others may have less of a reaction.
Just know that what you experience may be more or less severe than someone else – as everyone’s situation is different. One person may recover from their withdrawal within a few weeks, while another may experience aches and pains for months following their last dose of Prednisone. The recovery time varies among different individuals.
4. Cold Turkey vs. Tapering
It is never recommended to quit taking Prednisone “cold turkey.” It is thought that if you quit taking this drug cold turkey from a relatively high dose, it could result in potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms. If you were on Prednisone for an extended period of time, your body likely has become fully dependent on this drug for functioning and providing cortisol.
Since your body has stopped naturally producing cortisol, stopping Prednisone cold turkey can be a recipe for disaster. Why? Because your adrenal glands may not be able to kick back in and produce cortisol. Therefore it is important to gradually “wean” off of this drug to give your adrenal glands some time to pick back up with natural production.
In order to prevent doing damage and or experiencing a nasty cold turkey withdrawal, some have recommended reducing the dosage of your medication by 5 mg every 7 days. If you are unsure about how to taper, be sure to talk with your doctor and voice any concerns you have. If you were on Prednisone for a very short term (i.e. 7 days or less), it is alright to quit cold turkey.
Prednisone Withdrawal Symptoms: List of Possibilities
Below are some common withdrawal symptoms associated with taking Prednisone. Recognize that these are some symptoms that you may experience upon discontinuation from this particular drug. Also understand that you may not experience every symptom listed below and that the intensity of withdrawal will likely differ based on individual circumstances.
- Abdominal pain: Many people notice intense abdominal pain when they first stop taking Prednisone. This may be in the form of intense stomach aches and/or burning sensations throughout the stomach.
- Anxiety: Many people report depression, but a lesser reported symptom is that of anxiety. You may feel somewhat nervous and/or have relatively intense anxiety during withdrawal. It is thought that this is a result of hormonal changes and HPA functioning.
- Body aches: Many people report severe body aches when they stop taking this drug. These aches may last for weeks following your last dose of the drug. If they become too intense, you should consider tapering more gradually.
- Decreased appetite: Since Prednisone is associated with significant increases in appetite, when you stop taking it, you will likely notice a major decrease in appetite. You may have constantly felt hungry while on it, but when you quit taking it, your appetite will significantly drop off.
- Depression: Another common symptom to experience upon discontinuation is that of depression. You may feel very depressed in conjunction with significantly low levels of energy. This is in part due to lack of stimulation. Your adrenal stores need to build themselves back up for you to feel normal. Just know that your brain and body will eventually fully heal as time passes.
- Diarrhea: Some people report diarrhea when they first come off of this drug. If you are experiencing this, be sure to pick up some Imodium (available over the counter) – it should help ease this particular symptom.
- Dizziness: This is a common withdrawal symptom from any drug. If you feel dizzy, just know that it should go away within a few weeks. The most intense dizziness should subside after the drug has been out of your system for a week.
- Fatigue: Most people end up having to deal with extreme levels of fatigue and low energy when they quit this drug. If you feel fatigued, just know that it is a result of your body withdrawing from a drug that it has depended on for functioning for a long period of time. Additionally you no longer have adequate amounts of cortisol to provide the body with energy. It will take some time before these homeostatic levels are reestablished.
- Fever: Some individuals report having a fever when they stop this drug. This is your body’s way of trying to readapt to functioning without Prednisone. The fever should not last more than a week or so after your last dose. If it persists, be sure to consult your doctor and/or another medical professional and consider a more gradual taper.
- Headaches: Since this drug actually helps many people with severe headaches, coming off of it may result in even more extreme headaches than initially experienced. Some individuals report constant headaches, while others report full-blown migraines during withdrawal.
- HPA Changes: Anyone who has taken this drug for an extended period of time will exhibit changes in their HPA (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis). In other words, the adrenals are no longer producing sufficient levels of cortisol because they have become accustomed to receiving the Prednisone. Therefore even if you gradually taper, it will take your body awhile to get its natural production of cortisol back up.
- Joint pain: It is extremely common to feel pretty intense joint pain when you stop this steroid. This joint pain is caused by lack of natural cortisol production. In some cases it could be due to inflammation during withdrawal. Avoid excess physical stress and activity until the pain subsides.
- Low blood pressure: Some individuals experience blood pressure drops when they discontinue this drug. Although it increases blood pressure while taking it, many people experience rapid reductions if they discontinue too quickly. In some cases if blood pressure gets too low, it can lead to dizziness and fainting. Be sure to monitor your blood pressure when you quit this drug.
- Low blood sugar: Many people experience low blood sugar when they come off of a corticosteroid like Prednisone. You may want to monitor your blood sugars when you discontinue and keep some sweets around in the event that it dips out of the ordinary.
- Mood swings: People feel fatigued, low energy, and have depression as a result of their withdrawal. It is no wonder that some individuals experience mood swings and/or changes when they quit taking this drug. Just know that these should stabilize when the body heals.
- Muscle soreness: Some people notice muscle soreness and/or pain that does not go away for an extended period of time. The best thing you can do for yourself is to take some sort of over-the-counter pain relief to help yourself cope with this symptom.
- Nausea: You may feel extremely nauseated when you originally stop taking this drug. The intense nausea should only last for a few days and then gradually improve. Assuming your doctor conducted a gradual taper off of Prednisone, the nausea should not be long-lasting.
- Shaking: Many people have reported uncomfortable “shaking” in the limbs including the hands and feet.  This is not as common of a symptom, but one that has been reported that can make life uncomfortable for awhile.
- Skin rash: In some cases a person may develop a skin rash when they first quit taking Prednisone. Some hypothesize that burning and/or itching skin could be a result of nerve irritation beneath the skin. If you are experiencing a skin rash or irritation, just know that it’s likely from the withdrawal.
- Suicidal thoughts: When you first quit taking this drug, you may notice that your depression becomes overwhelming to the point of triggering suicidal thoughts. If you feel suicidal at all during withdrawal, make sure you talk to a professional about it. Just know that as your adrenal stores build back up, your depression will gradually subside and your thinking will return to normal.
- Vomiting: Some people report vomiting when they stop Prednisone. This vomiting is usually a result of tapering too quickly and not giving your body a chance to gradually adapt to functioning without the drug. If you are vomiting, it could just be that you are hypersensitive to withdrawal and/or are withdrawing too quickly.
- Weakness: It is common to feel muscle weakness and an overall sense of malaise when you first come off of this drug. It should take your body a few weeks and/or months to fully recover from feeling very week and achy. This is just your body’s way of reacting to functioning without a drug that it has received constantly over an extended term.
- Weight loss: Individuals that are on Prednisone for the long term tend to pack on a pretty good amount of weight. Obviously the amount of weight you gain will be based on your individual circumstances. Most people notice that they begin to lose weight a few weeks after they have fully discontinued this drug.
Note: It is thought that Prednisone stays in your system for less than 24 hours after your last dose – meaning it has a short half-life.  Discontinuation symptoms are thought to be a result of the body attempting to recalibrate itself to functioning without the Prednisone.
How long do Prednisone withdrawal symptoms last?
The time it takes you to fully withdraw from Prednisone will depend on individual circumstances. In most cases, the withdrawal symptoms should clear up within 3 to 4 weeks after your last dose. The half life of Prednisone is only 1 hour, but most people report post-acute withdrawal symptoms lasting well after the drug is cleared from the body. Â A full recovery can take anywhere from a week or two (lower doses) to several months.
If you are experiencing pretty extreme pain as a result of the withdrawal, be sure to take some over-the-counter pain relief. In addition to OTC pain relief, most people recommend increasing the amount of salt and sugar that you eat. This is because when you stop taking Prednisone, your body usually has low blood sugar and low blood pressure. Â If your withdrawal symptoms persist for an extended period of time and/or are so severe that you cannot function, it is likely that you withdrew too quickly.
Anytime a person is on 5+ mg of Prednisone for 7 to 14 days, sudden discontinuation can result in an adrenal crisis. Work closely with your doctor, follow guidelines, get plenty of rest, and lay low as your body and mind recover. Eventually you will return to normal functioning once your body and brain readjust to functioning without steroids.  It should be noted that some people report “Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency” as a result of taking corticosteroids like Prednisone.
In this event, it has taken people 12 to 24 months before they experience full “recovery” back to homeostasis. Â As was mentioned, the longer you are on the drug, the more gradual the tapering process should be and the longer you should expect withdrawal symptoms to persist following your last dose. Â As long as you work with your doctor and withdraw VERY gradually, you should be able to experience a full recovery. Â If you have experienced withdrawal from Prednisone or are currently going through withdrawal, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below.
I got put on 60mg for one week as treatment for Bell’s Palsy. I took my last dose about 48 hours ago and I feel so ridiculously awful right now. Did anyone else notice their skin get extremely sensitive while they were on this?
I have been on prednisolone for 10+ years at 5-15 mg, and for the last year 15 mg daily!! I am gradually coming off them due to onset osteoporosis and other muscle problems. I am reducing slowly at 2.5 mg daily but even this low of a reduction is causing panic attacks. I would love to hear about your experience.
I have worked in health care for many years and have seen how corticosteroid medication is lifesaving for those I have cared for. Sure there are side effects all drugs have side effects. Being an informed consumer is done when the drugs are ordered. Every patient should be aware of the side effects etc.
Ultimately it should start with the ordering provider and expanded in detail by the pharmacy filling the prescription. That is why consumers are given the patient information print out of each medication the receive. If you do not get it you should ask for it. I also have viral induced asthma and myself have been on prednisone for 3 month time frames twice a year for the last 5 years.
This last time on prednisone started in September of 2015 with a viral infection. I got off for one week that November and after a week got another respiratory virus and have been on it until 1.5 weeks ago. I was on high dose prednisone for approximately 9 months. I had many complications during that time of steroid use. I started having withdrawal symptoms during my most recent wean which took 2-3 months.
It did not hit in full force until after 1 week out after discontinuing the prednisone. Of course it is not fun nor desirable to have the withdrawal from it. I also know that it will pass eventually. Sometimes in a few weeks sometimes longer. I prefer to not have to take the drug ever again but without it my airway would have swollen completely shut resulting into a horrible death.
I had blue lips at times on the medication because of airway swelling and would drop my oxygen levels with minimal activity to the 83 range. Normal is 90 and above. Desirable is 92 and above. I personally am not ready to die and prednisone was the only thing that kept my airway open while the treated a persistent infection. So I do understand personally and professionally what this medication can do.
In March I was diagnosed with IGA Nephritis at 44 years old or burgers disease which is a kidney disease. My nephrologist put me on 80 mg a day of prednisone, and 175 mg a day cyclophosphamide chemotherapy pills. I ran the 80 mg prednisone for me two months, and then 40 mg for two months, and 20 mg for a month, then the plan is onto 10 mg, progressively stepping down to 0 mg. This prednisone feels like it’s about to kill me… the insomnia (4:00 am wake up every morning), the burning stomach, diarrhea, HBP, fatigue, sweating in a 69 degree room, and body aches now!!
My kidney function is up to 60% from 30%, so it obviously is working. I told my Dr that I don’t know how much longer I can take it, so we’re planning the wean off steps. The chemo regime is a whole horror story in itself, low red blood cell count as of last blood test, anemia, so it looks like I will be getting off of it soon also. I will post a update in a couple of months…
I am a sixty three year old West Australian male. I was diagnosed at forty five with Vocal Cord Dysfunction and with each serious episode put on prednisone usually a five day 150 mg course. This took place approx every month or two. After many years I lost most sexual function although the desire for sex has always been there and was prescribed viagra.
Only problem I had to feel pretty good first which was a rare thing. About four years ago I was advised to remain on prednisone and managed at best to get down to 3mg daily. During this time I have gained weight have rounder face large stomach and yellow oily face. I was always a tall thin guy. My energy levels dropped and have been unable to work for about eight years.
A month ago I was sent to a ENT doctor at a new location I have recently moved to. He told me to get off the prednisone and said I would be a new man in a couple of months. I have now been of this drug for 4 weeks and it is dreadful. Headaches sweets tiredness and uncontrollable anxiety has left me thinking I am going mad. I can’t sleep and function normally.
Thank god my wife found this forum. It has given me some hope.
In August 2015 I was diagnosed with Giant Cell Arteries (GCA). I was told this is a very serious disease and that I had to get on a very high dose of Prednisone right away to counter the inflammation on the arteries in my head. They put me on 60 mg for 2 wk and then I went down to 50 for 2 weeks, then 40 then 30 then 20 then 15 then 12.5 for a month then 10 for a month and at this time I am now on 9 mg for a month.
I didn’t feel all that bad until this week. Now I am feeling very weak and fatigued. I also have headaches which I initially thought was associated with my GCA but now believe it is from the withdrawal from the prednisone. My biggest problem is the fatigue and weakness.
Does anyone know if there is anything I can take to help me with fatigue while I am slowly tapering of this drug? Appreciate all responses. I am thinking of all you who are also going through this process. Thank You, Bob F
I took 20mg Prednisone for a itchy rash that was causing me to tear-up my legs and arms itching. I was on it from November 2015 through May 2016 when I noticed my hair was not growing and at half its volume. I stopped it and noticed 3 weeks later my hands would be stiff and numb when I would wake up and I have mild cramping in my legs. I feel like I am falling apart.
Thankfully, I have found this site and realize this is all withdrawal symptoms from Prednisone. I had no idea I was supposed to taper down or what the medicine side effects were. It worked great on my itching allergy symptoms. I hope that the aches in my hands, legs and knees will soon end. Any recommendations for OTC supplements that will help with the aches? Thank you.
I had pneumonia and severe pleurisy months ago and has left me with a partially collapsed lung and cough and wheeze a lot and in my job that’s not good! So have been given prednisone 30mgs once a day for 4 weeks then to taper down to 20mgs a day for another week and so on. I’ve just finished 4 weeks and tomorrow start tapering down.
But since Friday I’ve had fever and head going to explode and feeling very sick and neck shoulders and knees ache. Are these side effects from just being on it or something else? (I’ve had a couple of feverish nights since pneumonia as was told it’s my body trying to fight the lung infection each time). Not looking forward to coming down off them after reading all things in here either!
I was on prednisone for 10 days. I was tapered off and still had some withdrawal symptoms as you described. But them in stages. My last dose was Friday, no changes Saturday, then Sunday I had the shakes and weakness in my arms and legs, heartburn and high body temperature. Monday I had diarrhea, Tuesday my face broke in a rash.
It’s Friday now and I still have the rashes. I also noticed it’s taking me longer to comprehend things my family is trying to tell me. I have to ask them to repeat what they say to fully understand. I was given Prednisone to help with my pneumonia.
Several times I have been on high rapid dosages of Prednisone ranging from 50mg initially decreasing down to 5mg and off I had NO side effects at all. Second time same situation same dosage, some tapering off time and dosage. NO side effects at all – none. Now I’ve been on it again for 1 yr and I am in the tapering off phase which is 2.5 mg a day now and so far so good.
I just have blurry vision but that started just a day or so before the tapering phase!! Could be non related, I’ll know soon. I have found your blog very interesting and the vitamin and holistic medicine suggestions are wonderful. I routinely take many homeopathic remedies and have for many years, maybe this has made a difference in the withdrawal phases?
I wish you all the best and remember to pray and offer up the suffering to Our Lord in thanks for His pain suffered for us. God Bless and I will keep you all in the loop. In Love and Light.
I have been on Prednisone since March of this year for two types of organizing pneumonia. ARDS and BOOP. This drug was the only drug available to treat me and it saved my life. Talk with you doctor and health care professional before you take any medication. It’s your body. Have a clear understanding of all side effects and what to expect when you come off of it.
I’ve read many comments where it was said that their doctors didn’t tell them what to expect. That just baffles me as I wouldn’t put anything in my body without knowing what it’s advantages and disadvantages are. Inform yourself. I am so sorry for all of you that are experiencing problems coming off Prednisone and I wish all of you the best.
I am slowly coming off of a high of 80 mg and am coming off 5 mg at a time till I reach 10 mg and then will drop 2 mg at a time. My withdrawal symptoms have been minimal “slight headache and muscle ache”. Talk to your doctor and ASK question. Good luck to all!!!
I guess I have learned my lesson of “trusting” a doctor… my doc said there would be little to no side effects when coming off. Thank God I looked into it after only being on it for 6 weeks… The doctor wanted to keep me on it a year. They still have no idea what is wrong with me, the prednisone was just a “band-aid” for them… never again.
My GP prescribed Prednisolone for me for ulcerative colitis. I started at 40mg per day, then tapered off over several weeks. My initial side effect was euphoria (feeling high). I could not stop talking and although everything I said and did made sense, I did not feel my usual self.
When I tapered down to 5mg per day, the side effects were very unpleasant anxiety, nausea and dizziness. I think I would rather have a colostomy bag (the cure for colitis) than take this medication long term, I don’t like feeling out of control of my body.
I was on Prednisone for a total of 6 weeks 10 mg per day, tapered to 5 mg for 3 weeks and then 2 mg for 3 weeks… Just went off 5 days ago… I can barely walk, my joints are killing me and the muscle aches and overall “sick” feeling is horrible! Can someone please tell me how long this will go on??
ER treated for poison ivy: 12 day taper off starting with 40mg for four days, etc. On day 4 experienced vision problems & a different rash. Doctor tapered me off in two days. Seems my immune system was compromised. I now have eczema in addition to poison ivy. What a bummer! Prednisone is a pill-based atomic bomb at least for treatment of condition like poison ivy.
If only I’d known—did a 14 day taper-off pack, very low doses, in December. First day off drugs felt achy, depressed, foggy, etc. Had an emotional melt-down at work (went to parking lot & threw a tantrum, but people saw & reported me), got written up for unprofessional behavior. Seven months later, withdrawal symptoms long gone but got a lousy job performance review. All over a sinus infection. Best of luck everyone!
I was on Prednisone for 5 days at 60 mg per day. I started experiencing flushing of the face pretty much right away. It’s been almost 4 months since I last took Prednisone, but I still have the facial flushing. Does anyone else have this for so long?
I have had the same facial flushing now for 2 months. Did it ever stop for you?
Most people don’t seem to follow up when they start feeling better, so I thought I would… :-) I actually feel pretty good tonight, and have cut my Xanax in half (took it for the anxiety), so I don’t think I’ll have much trouble getting off it in the next couple of weeks. I hate to admit this, but the last of my anxiety disappeared when I quit taking a vitamin I started after I had the prednisone side-effects.
Because of those side effects, I started eating better, riding my bike about 50 miles a week, and started taking a B-complex (with a few other supplements – D3, Omega-3, E). It turns out the B-complex was responsible for the remaining antsy feelings, and muscle twitching (which I took for anxiety). Please note I wasn’t taking any vitamins when I started on the prednisone, so all those initial side effects were totally due to that drug!
I had never felt like that in my life, and have certainly developed a strong sense of empathy for people with chronic depression and/or anxiety. Anyway, the B complex was called “Now B-50”, and it has extremely high doses of various B vitamins (like 3333% recommended daily value for B1, etc.). Be careful with these vitamins if you’ve had anxiety, because they can make you feel wired!
It’s been about 4.5 weeks since I stopped the prednisone, and I think I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I wish everyone the best of luck… and hang in there!!! My doctor kept telling me it’d get better, and by the way… with all the bike riding over the last month, I lost 12 lbs!
Was on PD for 22 years for RA last 5-7 years at 5mg daily. Weaned off March 2016. I am so exhausted and muscle aches had blood work done all NORMAL. So tired!!!
I was on prednisone for Myasthenia Gravis for almost 18 months. I tapered slowly and I am now completely prednisone free for almost 3 weeks. My treatment consisted of 60mg (in hospital for 2 weeks) to 40mg for a few weeks, to 30mg until June of last year. After getting down to 20mg a day, I started having body pains and severe fatigue. I tried to taper in various ways, and it seemed futile.
Finally, my doctor told me to do 20mg a day, every other day for two weeks, then reduce to 15mg every other day for two weeks, then 10, then 7.5, then 6, then down one mg every other day for two weeks until I was down to 0. I did that and I’m finally off the drug. I do not suffer from depression or anxiety, I have lost a little weight, my blood sugar is back to normal.
Now the bad news… I have days when my body is in terrible pain. My bones and joints ache terribly. Usually on those “bad” days, I get this terrible fatigue which I can not fight. I have no choice but to go to bed. My doctors tell me they think I’m in withdrawal. I had one test that said my adrenal gland is working, but another doctor told me that the test I took isn’t accurate.
There is another test available but it takes a whole day of blood work to complete. Bottom line for me is…I almost died from the myasthenia Gravis crisis and prednisone saved me. I am now on a steroid replacement that is not a “steroid” and that seems to be keeping the myasthenia under control. I believe there is an end to the withdrawal but it will probably take a few months for me because I was on the drug for so long at such high doses.
I’m hanging in there.
I am so relieved –not happy– to find this site! I’m not happy that so many have and are suffering from taking this drug. It’s a wonderful drug for those who can tolerate it, I guess–and for conditions that require it. But–for sudden hearing loss, it is the one drug that does help, if anything is going to. My hearing has improved somewhat.
But after withdrawing over about 4 days after taking 60 mg. daily for 5 and feeling absolutely awful, with b/p elevating and constipation and feeling ‘wired’ and anxiety bad and shaking, I told my doctor I couldn’t take it any longer. Ended up after taking the last pill, within 48 hours had horrible migraine–due to elevated b/p and the next 3 nights had to go to the E.R. for shots for elevated b/p and feeling horrible with bad migraines when I hadn’t had a migraine in 20 years!
So, now the feeling anxious and still very dizzy and ‘tremors’ of hands and even body going on, I will be so glad when this is over!! B/p is now back to where it had been prior to this med. and is being managed well with my normal dose of b/p meds! No more of this for me. I’m told it will continue to help my hearing possible for 2 more weeks or so. That’s the good news.
But this is not a drug I would consent to anymore. I don’t do drugs well anyway and this has been ‘awful’! And may not be over for awhile. (:
My story is a bit different to most of those I’ve read above. I was put on 40mg Prednisolone last August after suddenly developing severe pains in my fingertips, which was diagnosed as vasculitis. The rheumatologist correctly assumed my immune system had gone haywire in response to a tumour, but it took six months to find it, during which time I developed the moon face, acne and pot belly.
He realised the Preds weren’t doing me any good (although they were very effective in controlling the pain) and started switching me over to Methotrexate, which made half my hair fall out. In February this year, after three mini-strokes, the neurologist sent me for an ultrasound of my heart, and there was this enormous tumour (myxoma), half blocking the valve and causing blood clots. I was anaemic too, but that had been disregarded as a side-effect of the vasculitis.
I’d previously had a full body scan (PET/CT) but that had missed the tumour because it is basically looking for inflamed tumours (i.e. blood collecting in tissue), not tumours in places where blood is supposed to be. Anyway, by that stage I had tapered the Preds down to 15mg and was on 20mg Methotrexate. I had urgent heart surgery to remove the tumour and am now fully recovered according to my cardiologist. The strokes stopped and the vasculitis subsided, so I immediately set about tapering off both drugs, completing my withdrawal at the end of April.
After two months the moon face has gone, and so has half the increase in my waist size. However I am suffering badly with weak aching muscles (especially my hips and shoulders), and with swollen ankles, both of which I attribute to Prednisolone withdrawal. I also find I tire easily, which is interfering with my social life. Can anyone tell me how long these symptoms are likely to last?
Dear Julie, I used prednisone for 3 years (high dose) and 1 year and 6 months small dose. I left this med sometime in July 2015. Please be patient. The withdrawal symptoms for my case took about 1 year and 2 months… It was very hard and painful phase. Just be patient, listen to your body.
Try to understand what triggers pain for you. For example, if I do not get proper rest or sleep it will trigger body pains… Wrong food – it triggered swollen feet and hands etc. Avoid overworking your body. Weekends mean being lazy even if you want to go out. That’s what helped me. After that phase… Now I have rheumatoid arthritis, I am back using pred again – lower dose.
I am hoping that it will be for a short period of time only. I just wanted to share that. I wish everybody a quick recovery.
Wow – so it took you about 14 months for the withdrawal symptoms to stop. How long did it take before the symptoms began to get a little better? I was on prednisone for around 7 years for PMR (polymyalgia rheumatica), – very low dose the last 2-3 years. After stopping, I would up having increasingly achy and weak hips/legs and shoulders/arms.
After 9 months of that – with no sign of it getting any better, I wound up getting back on prednisone. (Whew, relief.) My rheumatologist still isn’t sure whether this is an atypical PMR relapse or atypical pred. withdrawal. In any case, if I can get my pred. dosage really low, I figure it doesn’t really matter. Thanks!
Dear Vicki, It took about 7 to 8 months of pain… Aghhhh.. Very painful. I couldn’t walk properly, every inch of my body was aching… Sore, rigid muscles omg!!! Fever… I used to have really hot baths to easy up muscles, my skin would get burnt sometimes. Painkillers didn’t work for me.
Slowly I got back to normal, then I started experiencing pain in my joints. After investigation I found out I have RA. One thing I have learnt is be kind to your body and patience is important. I kept on telling myself, this is not permanent, it will be over soon. It worked.
I’ll keep lowering the night, to match the day, then start working them both down to zero. I’m hoping this is the remaining reason for my anxiety, but will see. I’ve never done drugs, so even though this is considered a low dose, I guess it’s very impactful for me. Anyway, I’d recommend people not get started on Xanax, and maybe try good ole magnesium, which seems to also help… at least me.
I saw a couple of people recommend it, and tried it, and I think it works… no sure, only done it 2 days. Anyway, good luck to everyone… this is truly a miserable experience! Sorry, one clarification… the depression and tight chest have completely gone… a little muscle twitching and a lot of anxiety left.
I seem to have a similar problem as a lot of you. I was on a fairly high dose of prednisone, for an ear infection, tapering off, for 12 days. I started with 60 mg, and tapered to 10 mg. Early on I became severely depressed, started having anxiety attacks, experience a tight chest when riding my bike, had extreme muscle twitching, etc. I ended up in the emergency room on day 5, because I was a little concerned taking this stuff, for me, at such a high dosage was dangerous.
They initially thought I was having a heart attack, even though I told them I was sure if was the prednisone. After a number of hours, they came back, and my tests looked good, and they notified me I wasn’t having a heart attack. They recommended I get off the prednisone a little quicker. Anyway, I was already down to 20 mg in a day, so I went a head and tough it out and finished. Mistake? I don’t know.
Near the end the anxiety was so bad I asked my doctor for Xanax (which I never used before). So, where am I know? The depression and the “tight chest”, and the muscle twitching is much less pronounced, but the anxiety is high… and part of that might be me trying to get off of 4 weeks of Xanax. Xanax was great the first 2 weeks, but then you become tolerant, and if you want the same effect, you have to take more.
Not only that, but it has a short half life, so you really need it 2x a day. The doctor told me I could take 0.5 mg 2X a day, but I started with just 0.5 mg at night to sleep. In week 3 it still worked at night, but I was tempted to take it the next day because I was starting to have anxiety during the day (you body reduces the amount of GABA it makes, hence the problem).
Instead of going down that road, I decided to just quit, so I’m now doing 0.375 mg at night and 0.25 mg the next day (still less than the doc said I could take).
Have had a five day only 20mg a day because of cough allergy? Have just come off and feel awful. Jittery, skin crawling, don’t think would take this again and no advice from Doctor on how it might make me feel. Glad I looked at this site as makes me realize it is the pills.
I have been on prednisone for 8 months. I am experiencing leg aches where I can barely walk… Shortness of breath. And extreme fatigue, foggy brain, poor concentration. Started on 60. Down to 2.5. Very difficult to function.
I’ve been on 80 mg a day since Jan and not sure if the illness or the Prednisone is worse. I know this drug is saving me but wow…
I’ve been on Prednisone for almost a decade. Was recently taken off cold turkey… started HUMIRA… the new med is doing its job but I’m experiencing withdrawals. Whole body aches… can barely walk… hoping for relief.
Just wanted to add my experience to the thread. I had a bad reaction to coconut at the beginning of May and went to the hospital where I was given a 5-day, 60-mg dose of prednisone. For the record, I’m 26 and have never had any prior health issues. About 36 hours after my last dose, I had a horrible reaction. I couldn’t stop shaking, my chest felt heavy, and I was short of breath.
I felt incredibly agitated, so I just kept pacing around the room, debating whether to go back to the hospital. I decided to just power through. The first two weeks were especially rough though I continued to have shortness of breath/heavy chest off and on over the following few weeks. I’m about two months off of prednisone, and the shortness of breath started flaring up again, so I saw a doctor, who prescribed me an inhaler and recommended I start taking an over-the-counter allergy medication.
That seems to be helping though I still have anxiety and some occasional chest flutters, which makes it difficult to get to sleep most nights. I’m fine when I’m distracted–it’s just mostly at night when I’m starting to get settled down that I don’t feel quite myself. I also love going for walks outside, and I’m sad that I should generally avoid that when I can to prevent unnecessary flare-ups. This has certainly not been ideal, but if nothing else, it’s made me more grateful for the good health I’ve experienced up until this point.
I’ve started eating healthier and exercising more in an effort to help the healing process, and I plan on taking this as a lesson to prioritize my health more–even when I’m distracted by work and friends and life. Best of luck to all of you going through this, and I hope you all have a speedy recovery!
Hi everyone! So glad I found this site! As someone said, you just feel so alone. I went on 3o mg Pred in October for PMR & have been in very slow taper. This mo. I’m down to 8 mg. WHAT HAPPENED!? Feel terrible 24/7–mornings are the worst! Joint pain, muscle pain. Can’t pull a shirt over my head. Getting in a shower is difficult.
Still run & walk for sanity but feel it afterwards. Feels like some awful toxin is at work. Tired beyond words! I thought the PMR was coming back but the blood test was ok so now I realize it’s Pred withdrawal! Thank heaven for the drug that saved me but it’s horrible going off!! Reading these stories gives me hope that it won’t always be like this! I’m sending comfort to everyone on this site! (And those that aren’t!)
I’m a 17 year old girl who took Prednisone for poison ivy, my mother seems to think that I’m having withdrawals. I’m worried it’s a summer flu. How can you really tell the difference? Please, I’m in a lot of pain with no end in sight yet.
200 mg per day for 5 days a month for 6 months. Cold turkey stop every cycle. Very rough! I’m pretty resistant to pain but I felt as if I was dying. At three weeks after treatment now and at times I cannot even raise my arms because I’m so week. Eating seems to help! All vitals are good. It is slowly getting better! Best of luck to all that are on a similar routine!! Thanks for the great information on your site!
I was prescribed Prednisone 30mg for 4 days – after a severe reaction to sand flea bites (who knew they attack after a rainy night at the beach?!). The Prednisone did help alleviate some of the inflammation from the bites, but after the last dose, a few hours later I had a very sore back of neck and jaw, which has lasted 2 days, and now on the 3rd day off of it, I am getting a severe headache at the back of my head. They should let you know these withdrawal symptoms before putting you on this crap, and there has to be an alternative treatment that doesn’t wreak such havoc on your adrenal system.
I too have taken prednisone for the third time in a year for treatment of poison oak. I have hyper-sensitive skin and this seems to be the only way to get rid of it. (I have taken both the intensive 5 day and taper down. The taper down seems most effective.) This past time, I had been on it the drug from May 30-June 19, it has been miserable. Hands, jittery, blood pressure up, hot flashes, ick.
Coming down off of the steroid I have developed a cough (w/mucus), I attribute that to the drug and also bad fatigue. I would love to know, if I contract poison ivy/oak again a more natural way to deal with it since my skin is HYPER sensitive. If anyone has ideas let me know. Thanks, get better soon everyone.
Hey. So I was on prednisone for a week due to an allergic reaction to bactrim and now my blood pressure is through the roof and I haven’t been able to eat for 4 days without throwing it up and getting really sick afterwards. A week after I came of of it I was fine and started to feel normal again but now I feel like I’m on the verge of death.
My lymph nodes are swollen and I can barely breath also no matter how much water I drink I’m always dehydrated and my eyes are always completely blood shot. I don’t know what to do I feel like I’m about to lose my mind especially now that I can’t eat without throwing up. Any suggestions? Also I don’t have insurance and can’t afford to go to the doctor.
Jesus I’m going through withdrawal symptoms right now. I’m experiencing shortness of breath and pain in my muscles. I cannot wait to see my doctor tomorrow. This is too much
You need to ask them about putting you back on for a longer taper. I was off 6 days and my doctor refused to put me back on (even though I work for doctors and they agreed that’s what I needed). I’m currently going through crazy anxiety which I never had before taking steroids. I’m not trying to scare you I just want you to know the possibilities because nobody gave me a heads up on any of the side effects.
It’s been 6 weeks and 3 days since I stopped Pred and I’m still suffering fatigue, headaches, anxiety. My doctor is referring me to an Endo to make sure my adrenal glads are functioning correctly. I hope you get to feeling better soon! -Ashley
I agree with some of you… When there is no alternative this drug is a lifesaver. I spent almost a year with a numb arm constant nerve radiation and the the muscle became spasmodic every time I tried to move my arm. The pain became excruciating. Lying down would caused immediate numbness and swelling to the arm.
I already had major back surgery 1 1/2 years prior. I was fusing and then got hit head on by another driver and that is how this all started. I spent 8 months having test after test (5 MRIs, CT scan, EMG, muscle tests) with no diagnosis. At the end I was sleeping in the living room sitting up in a chair dangling my arms because that was the only way I could sleep and my anxiety increased; I was at my wits end I couldn’t take it anymore.
The neurologist decided I had traumatic brachial plexopathy and decided to start me on 60mg of prednisone a day. I was on that for 6 weeks, then he took me to 40mg… I immediately broke out in acne, had severe abdominal pain with diarrhea, night sweats and had pain in my calves, with my back spasming too.
2 weeks later he told me too wean myself as quickly as possible because of the side effects. So I lowered the dose by 5mg every 3-4 days and I just got off 5 days ago. I am still having extreme muscle weakness, still have abdominal cramping and loose stools every time I eat. My back is killing me. As I stated I take pain meds anyway, but I do feel like a truck hit me.
I have worked full time this entire time because I have too. And I draw blood so I need my arm to work. Even though I had severe side effects, my arm is back to normal now and I would take the prednisone again in these circumstances because without it I would have gone crazy from the nerve pain and muscle pain.
The neurologist says I may have this disease reoccur but hopefully not as extreme and I will have to take the drug in a smaller dose for a lesser time if this happens. I feel for all of you who have had these experiences. Sometimes the risk is worth the outcome.
Hi everyone, just wanted to add my comments to this. I was on steroids for about 3 months for a severe case of bronchitis. I had lots of wheezing and low oxygen levels. It started with a shot, then a dose pack, then 60mg for a little, then 40, then 20mg. I was ok until I got down 10mg, then I started to noticed my mood dropping and lots of nausea & diarrhea, sore muscles.
When I dropped from 10 to 5 I felt even worse. Talked to my doctor and we went back to 15mg, dropping by 2.5mg a week. I’m currently on 5mg getting ready to go to 2.5mg tomorrow. I have a lot of depression and anxiety (note I did have trouble with anxiety before this but I was doing a lot better before tapering off the steroids), tons of fatigue and still nausea/diarrhea.
I’m just hoping once I get off this, my body will level out. The one other thing I did notice as once person mentioned is that I’m getting a lot of swelling in my ankles and feet since dropping to 5mg. Praying for all of us through this difficult time!
Similar story. I didn’t taper because my last dose was a tapering shot. The symptoms are kind of spread out. My swelling is gone, but I’m still dealing with the weight gain in weird places. I didn’t have the nausea and diarrhea until recently – I thought it was a reaction to the antibiotics I was on but now maybe not. Lots of headaches, fatigue, anxiety (though I’m also prone so who knows) and now body aches.
FYI – in the short term, I had a harder time with tapering than I’ve had with a shot or with the 5 day burst of 30mg. There’s some science around the burst on short term symptoms, but I’m not sure if it really applies when you add it all up over several months.
Still, thought it sucks to have this stuff, it’s reassuring that it’s not just me. It will pass eventually. I talked to an herbalist and they recommended Ashwagandha for regulating hormones. It seemed to be helping, but it can contribute to the digestive ick so I’ve gone off it for a bit. You might ask an herbalist or a doctor who works in cooperation with naturopaths if there are any supplements that can help.
I’ve also heard good things about acupuncture. That’s my next stop. Good luck!
I’m so thankful I read some of these comments. I was given prednisone for poison ivy and I’ve had so many of the issues others have written about. I was given 2 rounds of pills and one shot. I was covered with skin irritations and felt I had to have help.
I’ve been off of the prednisone for 4 weeks but since then I’ve had so many issues, tiredness, shortness of breath, auras, colon issues, horrible leg cramps at night, but the scariest one was waking up at night with chest pain and blood pressure at 238/118.
The cardiologist said it could have been caused by the medicine and that it didn’t cause any damage to my heart, that the symptoms would go away in about a week. It hasn’t and I really felt hopeless until I read some of these comments. Maybe time will help.
I am 32 year old healthy and sporty guy. I had been prescribed Prednisone for an infection after Parotitis, took 10mg the first five days, than 5mg for two days. The symptoms were coming back a little so they put me back on 15mg for a day, 10mg for two days and 5mg for another three. Total of 13 days of use.
I have experienced some insomnia, shaking and hearth pounding already the second day I had been taking it, contacted my doctor and he told me not to stop it. So I continued, had some severe anxiety issues, constantly watched myself if I am getting better or worse and such. Just a very uneasy feeling of constant stress.
The worst came after stopping though. First day off it I have had a very blurry vision, headache and neck pain, thought it was very weird. Second day off it I felt like having a heart attack, went to ER and all the test were fine. It has been a week since I withdrew from Prednisone and I just feel very tired, anxious, foggy and depressed.
My head doesn’t feel right and I have some tingling and shakes in me hands and feet. The worst part is that I keep analyzing myself for symptoms of like every disease in the world, I just cant stop thinking about it. It is a feeling of constant stress and anxiety over my health and mental health, just don’t feel like myself at all and its very confusing.
Is this even possible after such a low dose and short time taking it? Doctors tell me I should feel fine already.
I’ve been on several prednisone tapers in the last year for severe asthma flares. I’m currently on taper starting at 50 mgs per day and I feel like I’m losing my mind. I’m afraid my husband is going to leave me because I’m so sad and emotional. He does not understand that this is a result of the steroids and thinks I’m just crazy and annoying.
Now he doesn’t want to be around me which is making it worse. I am trying hard to be rational, but it’s hard with all these meds in my body. How can I get him to understand that I can’t help the mood swings and depression? I’m at my wits end. I need to be able to breathe but this is destroying my life.
Hi Pam, I hear you it is not easy. I am the same with my partner. I have gone through the side effects with him previously and thanks be to god I came across this website today and filled him in about all about the effects the steroids were having on other people. This also reassured me I was not going crazy.
Support from the closest people around you is really important and knowing that you are being cared for by your family is vital. My Sister and My Aunt have been my rocks through this plus I can share all my feelings with them or I’d go mad. Hope you are going okay. Take care of yourself, Gill
It’s been 10 weeks since I got really sick. I was told at first that I had a virus that would go away on it’s own, then I was told I have pneumonia. I was put on 60mg of prednisone for 1 week, 50mgs for 1 week, 30 mgs for 1 week, 20 mgs for 1 week and then 10 for 1 week. Since stopping the prednisone I have severe anxiety (which I never had), I constantly shake, I get a pounding headache and nausea every evening around 6 pm.
I saw my family doctor and instead of tapering me down lower she told me I had to ride the withdrawal symptoms out and that she couldn’t give a time frame for my recovery. I was given Atarax to help with anxiety which is like benadryl and it does help but I’m constantly dried out feeling and sleepy. Once a week I have an emotional breakdown and I end up just going to bed for the evening.
I called my doctor back and let her know the anxiety level was becoming to intense and I needed something more. I’m now on day 3 of 25mgs of zoloft after 1 week I will go up to 50 mgs daily. I was told my cortisol level was at the low end of normal and until my body learns to make cortisol on it’s own again I’m going to be stuck with these symptoms.
I’m glad I’m not the only one going through this. Whenever I’m having a bad day I go back and read everyone’s stories and it helps me get through one more day. I will continue to post as time goes on to give an update on how long it’s taking to overcome this withdrawal business. ;)
I am going through the same and I am going for more comprehensive blood work tomorrow. But, probably because I am a basket case, I am terrified of the results. I read this posting frequently too and it makes me feel better. My doctor is almost insistent on my starting antidepressants too. I am really scared. The pain is random and everywhere an it has been around 7 weeks since I tapered off, for the third time in two weeks.
Laura, How are you feeling? I’m on week 6 of no steroids and I’m struggling daily with anxiety and constantly feeling tired. I was put on zoloft 25mgs for a week and then upped it to 50 mg. I had to go back down to 25 due to my BP shooting through the roof. Im also on atarax every 4 hours and trazodone at bed to help me sleep. I’m waiting for my referral to the endocrinologist to see if my adrenal glands are responding correctly.
I have been suffering for over 5 weeks since stopping, with symptoms ranging from severe anxiety, leg cramps, muscle aches everywhere, swelling in my neck and legs. I was on a course for a week, then I got a booster, then another course, for a severe allergic reaction to an antibiotic. I was up to 80mg one day, 60 the next then tapered off and started again back up to 60mg, then tapered off again.
I have been feeling like am dying every since, been to doctors for tests to find what was wrong and all they gave me was antidepressants. I lost a lot of hair too. Miserable. Awful. Granted it probably saved my life as the Benadryl every two hours would not have cut it, and I became severely dehydrated, but this is awful.
I hope I get better. It has been really hard to stay positive, I cannot control my thoughts and I am so weak still I can hardly carry on with day to day functions. Thank God I found this article to give me comfort. Thank God.
Hey Laura, How are you getting on? I am going through similar. I breakdown on a basis regular and am struggling to cope at the moment. Thank god I found this article too as I was feeling so isolated and down in my self. I try so hard to be positive too but the side effects have brought me to my knees. All the best, Gill
Thank you so much for replying! I am still having random pains all over, mostly my legs occasionally my arms. going to get blood work tomorrow and I am freaking out. My doctor, who I have seen several times for this, says it is severe panic disorder. He wants me to start antidepressants but I really don’t want to.
Just want to feel better. I have a good day and then a week of bad. Going to try two bananas a day, and a glass of wine. Also taking Advil every 6 hours or so. Helps with the pain, but not the depression of it. I am still scared I am going to die.
Thank God I had it. I would be dead. I have been on it for many years, at 10 mg and every time I try to get off of it I get very sick. I doubled my weight and became diabetic. But without it, I would not have survived. I am going to try again and do it slower. It is a good drug that has to be used carefully and often saves lives. Just wanted to give the positive side to pred.
I was prescribed prednisone in the ER when I ended up there last week with pneumonia. I was instructed to take 60 mg’s a day until it was gone and then stop. Nothing was mentioned about withdrawals and side effects or that it might elevate my blood sugar because I’m diabetic. Needless to say I’m on the second day of stopping this evil drug and yes my pneumonia is clearing up, but the side effects I’ve been left with seem to be worse than when I started.
Extremely high anxiety, confusion, ringing in my ears, insomnia. I never, ever would have started this medication if I had known what I was in for, if this helps anyone from taking it than this post has done it’s job. If I had just stuck with antibiotics I’m sure I would have been just fine, but now I’m stuck with a whole new batch of unwanted symptoms that are having a huge negative impact on everyday life. It’s even interrupted my work schedule, forcing me to take time off until I feel somewhat sane/normal again. This is a total nightmare.
All of these posts have been so helpful. I don’t feel so alone and lost anymore. I have asthma and was put on prednisone every time I had a major attack. I am 58 and my asthma was caused suddenly a couple of years ago because of substances I was working around. After the first year I seemed to be going to the ER every other month.
They would pump me full of steroids and send me home. By the second year, I had to go on a very low dose of prednisone (5mg a day) just to be able to do the job I was at and to keep my asthma in check. I was on it for nearly 8 months. I finally quit the job and weaned off the prednisone. Now I am having many of the withdrawal symptoms I have read about here.
I have pretty much NO energy, sleep 9 – 10 hours and take naps (which I never did before). I am dizzy and feel light-headed a lot. I fear driving and tend to get panicky in certain situations especially going over bridges or thru tunnels. Never had that problem before. My eyes always feel like there is something in them – like dust or something and they tend to be blood-shot.
Oh, and let’s not forget being jittery , for no apparent reason. Even though my dose was very low I wonder how long before I feel normal (if ever) again. I’ve been off now for 3 weeks. Are there vitamins or something to take that could get rid of the fatigue? I’m beginning to wonder if I would even recognize feeling “normal”.
Wonder drug for some but the drug from hell for others. I have been reading all your comments I am a desperate husband with a very beautiful wife suffering from Dermatomyositis for the past 33 months. She has stopped prednisone 5 weeks ago she has all the symptoms you shared but also a severe skin reaction.
Her skin is very itchy and is pealing like a severe sum burn. Bathing with a mild body soap mixed into the water seems to help. We went to a Body Talk physician and have started her on CDB oil 3x daily 13 drops under her tongue. I have tried lots of different lotions right now one with mostly aloe Vera plant as main ingredient.
Outstanding, has helped me realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Stay strong everyone, keep the faith, we are not alone.
I’ve been on prednisone since November, and now am slowly coming off of it. I’m taking it because my filters in my kidneys get inflammation and don’t filter my blood properly. I’ve been on this drug a few times over the last 12 years, but this time it really hit me hard.
Like others have mentioned, insomnia and anxiety were the big ones for me. Nervousness and weakens along with blurred vision all ended up me going off work. The drug does do what it’s meant to do, my kidneys are “shocked” back to normal.
I got off prednisone a number of weeks ago. I was weaned off it but not sure if it was slow enough or not. I’ve been experiencing many of the symptoms listed above. However, there is one not listed and I’m wondering if anyone else has had this problem. I’m holding water and even on water pills (I’m up to 4 a day) it’s leaving my body extremely slowly.
Has anyone else experienced this? I’m beyond grateful that my wife found this site as I’ve been suffering since February when the weaning was done. The pain in my muscles has been horrible and along with so many of the above mentioned symptoms, I’ve been through so many tests that have given me no help. I was on the medication due to being on a strong medication for prostate cancer called Zytiga.
Even after stopping the Zytiga, I was kept on the Prednisone longer so I could be weaned off. It wasn’t until I met my urologist today that it even occurred to me that this could be related to the Prednisone. If anyone has the problem with water retention, I would very much appreciate knowing. I see my family doctor next week and I plan to bring the information my wife has found here to him.
I just want to make sure I have every piece of info I need. Thank you!
Hello everyone! I have ulcerative colitis and had a flare that started July 6, 2014. I was very sick and admitted into the hospital. I was immediately started on high dose of Solumedrol (IV form of the drug). I was frustrated to know that I was put on steroids again because I can’t handle this drug…but once they start me on it I HAVE to wean/taper off or I will get even sicker (I know this from past experience).
I was on 40mg of Prednisone for over a year and finally was able to taper it down… on March 15,2016 I finally took my last dose. Even though the drug saved me and I survived the HORRIBLE side effects, I am now suffering from the even WORSE withdrawals. 4 weeks have gone by and I am anxious, depressed, my skin is dry, my hair is dry, my body aches, joints hurt, headaches, fatigue… the list goes on and on.
I completely understand all that you guys are going through… even the suicidal thoughts. This med is like chemotherapy… it can save your life and kill you in the process. Thank you everyone for your comments. You helped me make it through another day.