Serious Fatigue...Prednisone Withdrawal?

[fenway1971]

What withdrawal symptoms have others had on Prednisone?

I've been on pred since September. 20mg since Xmas, and just started tapering (15 for two weeks, 10 last week and next). I've experienced the following:

1. Wicked fatigue. Have trouble getting out of bed. Napped all weekend. Feel like I've done serious manual labor even though all I've done is slept.

2. Occasional hyperventilation/shortness of breath. Twice I've had to dig out an inhaler.

3. Stiff joints and muscles.

Symptoms seem to get better each day but I'm going to be tapering for next month and dread what happens when I'm completely off this stuff.

Is this normal?

 

[danman]

I've usually tapered with no problems, but that could just be me.
I'm sure I've read on here, similar problems.

 

[cheeky]

as you saw in my other thread, i had withdrawal symptoms too... from your list i had some fatigue and muscle/joint pain... along with consistent headaches and vomiting at night.

didn't have any issues with breathing... and my withdrawal happened after the pred had stopped completely (aside from the joint pain that started in my knee during my last week of pred)

 

[bradraz]

Well if only been on pred for two weeks, i started out with 40 mg now im on 30. I feel really hyper but when i go out and so something i get tired so easily! I do have stiff muscles sometimes.

 

[AIjen]

I had the same symptoms you have when I'm tapering, but not the shortness of breath. I do have asthma, but it's controlled with Advair. I was down to 3mg and my dr. bumped me back up to 20mg. Then after being on 20 mg again for nearly 2 weeks, he told me I'd have to stay on it for another month (just started Humira and he didn't want to taper me too quickly). I get to look forward to everything all over again. Blah. Hope it's worth it.........

 

[mg5ds]

I had the same symptoms you have when I'm tapering, but not the shortness of breath. I do have asthma, but it's controlled with Advair. I was down to 3mg and my dr. bumped me back up to 20mg. Then after being on 20 mg again for nearly 2 weeks, he told me I'd have to stay on it for another month (just started Humira and he didn't want to taper me too quickly). I get to look forward to everything all over again. Blah. Hope it's worth it.........

i saw that you're taking advair. here's an advair coupon for $10 off your next prescription if you're interested

 

[soupdragon69]

Hey Fen,

Yep those are similar symptoms to what I have when weaning down..

My asthma can play up a bit too along with the fatigue and muscle issues.

I generally find that things are "aggravated" for a couple of days and then they ease off in time for my next reduction. Might be that you need to reduce every 10 days for instance rather than every 7 if that makes sense to allow your body to readjust a bit more before each drop - especially when having been on it for so long.

Hope you pick up soon. Thinking of you.

 

[ameslouise]

I had all the same (except the breathing problems) when I went from 20 to 15, plus some of my flare syptoms came back. I have read on several medical sites that once you get to 20 mg, the taper should go down by 2.5 mg or less.

Good luck - Hope you get the taper level right soon!

 

[gibby]

i get real tired, and sometimes feel my asthma play up, which is odd seeing how pred should help the inflammation asthma causes...but anyway...

i am suffering wicked shin pain at the moment>all down the front of my shins to my toes, really muscular and hurts to walk...i call them shin splints but dont know if thats the proper term,
i''m tapering off pred at the moment too and agree with the tiredness, i am a fan of the afternoon nap when i am on a taper,but the pain in my legs is awesome! feel like a cripple...does anyone else get that?
hope it settles for you soon Fen, and the taper works for you x

 

[Crohn's 35]

I was looking for this thread, thanks for bringing it up Gibby!!

9 days into 40 mg of pred, I have been on this many times and I forget all the time what the symptoms do to me...Legs feel achy, have a bum knee, hands hurt, feel jittery,,, weakness. Stiff joints are a major. I havent had shortness of breath because I am well aware that if yu start getting panicky it makes me feel like a speedy. So I try to stay calm. Walking and exercise does help. Strange how we either get the same symptoms from it or none... I vote for none!

 

[Astra]

hi everyone!

after 4 weeks on 40mg (and whizzin and bombing round) now on 30mg, 25mg tomorrow, got new symptoms!
banging head, really burnt out, sore tongue, spots on chest, legs aching and the smell of dinner made me gag!
I've stopped kipping on afternoon, or I really can't sleep at night.

hurrah for Pred! NOT!

 

[Nyx]

i am suffering wicked shin pain at the moment>all down the front of my shins to my toes, really muscular and hurts to walk...i call them shin splints but dont know if thats the proper term,

Yes, they're called shin splints...I used to get them all the time prior to my Crohn's diagnosis from running. Haven't had them since though. A frozen bag of peas is great to alleviate the pain.

 

[lilninja]

i dont nap, and now i cant sleep through the night. also i get the joint pain.

 

[Jerman]

What withdrawal symptoms have others had on Prednisone?

I've been on pred since September. 20mg since Xmas, and just started tapering (15 for two weeks, 10 last week and next). I've experienced the following:

1. Wicked fatigue. Have trouble getting out of bed. Napped all weekend. Feel like I've done serious manual labor even though all I've done is slept.

2. Occasional hyperventilation/shortness of breath. Twice I've had to dig out an inhaler.

3. Stiff joints and muscles.

Symptoms seem to get better each day but I'm going to be tapering for next month and dread what happens when I'm completely off this stuff.

Is this normal?

I had a terrible time getting off of the pred. the pain and body aches were awful, climbing the stairs quite the challenge. I hate that med, hope you are off soon.