Prednisone Taper and Cramping?

[McM17]

Hi, I was put on prednisone (40mg) and pentasa after being diagnosed with crohn's in December. My doctor lowered my prednisone to 30mg three days ago and for the past few days I have had some cramping in my stomach and guts. Has anybody else ever had something like that happen? The cramping isn't bad- it's more a nuisance, I'm not doubled over in pain! Is it possible that my doctor started tapering me too quickly? Not really sure what's happening! I'm supposed to call back after I've been on the 30mg dose for a week, but I'm wondering whether to just call sooner. Thanks for your help!

 

[Beebop]

Tapering off prednisone can lead to lots and lots of different side effects! I went down in 10 mg lots as well and experienced a few side effects. There's a lot of information out there on the internet so have a read. My favourite was the increased heart rate for a weekend... Felt like I was running a marathon for 48 hours.

 

[hainman]

never really noticed the cramping,i was on 40mg before xmas and been tapering down by 5mg every week,not really had much cramping but the headaches are driving me mental.feels like my head is being squeezed in a vice sometimes

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Symptoms returning when doses are reduced is always a risk. Your body is reliant on the pred so after reducing the dose I suppose it needs to get used to the new amount. Maybe reducing my 10mg was too much for you. I cant remember what my tapering instructions were last time I was on them but I felt it every time.
This time I have been tapering by 5mg weekly and I haven't felt it at all. And I was only on 40mg for one week initially. (Although I was on IV steroids for a few days before that).
Maybe call up your GI and mention it in case you are tapering too quickly.

 

[SarahBear]

I had a near constant stomach ache the entire time I was on Prednisone, actually. Nothing severe, just a dull, mild ache. More annoying than anything.

It wouldn't hurt to call your doctor and mention it. Is this kind of pain something you experienced before the Pred, or does it seem to be new?

 

[McM17]

I don't usually get cramps but it happens every so often! Mostly my problem was just the constant d, although that's starting to get a bit more frequent too now that the dose is going down! I'll probably just call and ask my dr's nurse if I need to go back on more!

 

[AlliRuns]

I tapered by 5mg every week, but then had a worsening of symptoms, so my doc slowed the tapering to every two weeks and I didn't have another worsening of symptoms until I stopped completely. I would call your doc, may the taper is too drastic.

 

[lost kitten]

I'd probably call as the d is becoming more frequent again, sounds like 10mg may have been too much of a drop. I've had to go back up to 40 and taper slower in the past due to similar issues. The constant headaches and insomnia were my favourite side effects, though!