Do I have to start at 40mg of prednisone?

[Mary]

I dont want to take it I am scared I will go crazy like I did last time. I think I am starting a flare. Also my dr has me taking 40mg for 2 weeks?

 

[My Butt Hurts]

I think that is a normal dose to start at. My doc said he would never start me lower than that.

 

[ChefShazzy]

Why did your doc prescribe it - How bad are your symptoms? If you start at any lower than 40mg, you might not get any relief... You could hold off if you don't think it's necessary, but if you wait too long, you might end up needing 50 or 60mg to get your flare under control. Two weeks is a pretty standard course, and then start the taper from there.

 

[theend2]

I have been up as high as 60 and I have read that others on this sight have been on double that.

 

[PeninsulaLil]

Mary-- What do you mean by "go crazy"? How much were you on before when that happened? For how long? Entocort might be a substitute; it has way less side effects.

Lilly

 

[Jennifer]

40mg for 2 weeks and then a med check I'm assuming to see if its working and if it is they may begin to taper soon. If its not working then they may increase the dose. Pred takes some getting used to but generally many side effects go away or are minimal (although the higher the dose, the worse it is). 40mg isn't too bad. As said, a lower dose may have no effect and you'd have to take a higher dose meaning taking pred longer than you'd like to. Keep track of the side effects you experience (write them down in a journal) and if things get too intense, contact your doctor and they may be able to taper sooner or take you off of it entirely depending on how long you've been taking it (under 10 days is usually ok to quit cold turkey). After that there are other drugs you could try.

Good luck! I hate Prednisone too but I really hope it makes you feel better.

 

[moogie]

When I was 12 I use to take over 100 mg a day but I have no recollection of what it did to me at all. Right now I am also taking it since last thursday 40 mg. This is my 6 day and I am starting to feel somewhat better.

Hope you feel better soon

 

[xJillx]

I dont want to take it I am scared I will go crazy like I did last time. I think I am starting a flare. Also my dr has me taking 40mg for 2 weeks?

Mary, how are you feeling? Any side effects?

 

[Deleted member 81255]

I started on 40mg. aswell. I didn't "go crazy". It just made me really happy and really hungry. If your doctor wants you on 40mg. then I'd say you should probably do it. Doctors really don't like to put you on Pred. so I guess he/she must have a good reason. Good Luck! (And don't kill anyone! )

 

[braveheart]

I have been up as high as 60

me too