On 120mg of Prednisone a day... Advice?

[Namone]

I have been off all drugs for the past several years and felt pretty good.

Recently I went into the hospital with a pelvic leg infection - caused from a fistula.

Long story short, I'm on a ton of prednisone now (120mg a day). I meet with my doctor/surgeon on Tuesday and I want to discuss tapering off since it will be two weeks I've been on this dose by then.

HERE IS MY QUESTION: I've been feeling pretty good. Last night I went out to eat, so I took my Prednisone dose (40mg/3 times a day) an hour or so earlier than usual - since I needed to take it with dinner and that is just how the schedule worked out. I also decided to let myself digest afterwards. Normally I have been eating a bowl of cereal or something before bed - but I decided not to this past night.

This morning I woke up and had to pee like crazy - and I felt awful. Shivery, stomach pain, dizzy, tired, etc. I took my dose and ate cereal and now I'm feeling better. I was starving; almost to the point of getting sick.

Could I have low blood sugar from the prednisone? Or was I just withdrawing a bit from it? I'm 19.. I would like some advice. I hate prednisone, but gotta live with it for the time being. I am also on cipro/flagyl.

 

[Honey]

Hi there, I hope you are feeling better. That is a large amount of Steroid. I am on a low doze of Prednisolone and know it affects me in many ways. Weight gain, moon face and suddenly feeling hungry late night. It is all part of the side effects, so do not worry. Discuss this with your consultant, perhaps he will taper the doze to a smaller amount. It also makes you hyper active! Let me know how you are. Best wishes.

 

[steffers27]

I agree 120mg is quite high, 30mg is usually enough to get you over a hump. Please ask your doctor about his plan for managing withdrawals, as you will more than likely have them. Best wishes x

 

[Om3ga1]

120mg is a ridiculous dosage IMO. Personally I've become a big fan of balsalazide. And yes pred will mess with your blood sugar.

 

[Jennifer]

Namone how long were you told to be on that dose? I don't think I've ever heard anyone on the forum mentioning that high of a dose (I know it can be taken in high doses but not long term). Contact your doctor to discuss a proper taper schedule. I know the dose depends on the severity and your weight but there are other medications that treat fistulas and Crohn's. It definitely sounds like you were having withdrawals but yes it can affect your blood sugar as mentioned. You can have some blood work done to check your blood sugar so please inform your doctor about the symptoms you had. Be sure to take it the same time every day to help avoid withdrawals. Please keep us posted and welcome to the forum.