Prednisone Taper

I met with my hemo today and am now tapering off prednisone. I am currently on 80 mg a day (started on 200 mg). Since my side effects have been so bad my doctor agreed that it is best to get me off the pred as soon as possible, but we have to taper slowly to be safe. The way she is having me do it is I take the pred every other day. So one day I take 80 mg and the next day I don't take any at all. This is to give my adrenal glands time to recover.

I've read on here that the side effects can get worse as you "withdrawal" off the pred, so I was just wondering if anyone has had a similar experience and what I should expect? What are the withdrawal symptoms like exactly?

Well, everyone is different, but they can include:

extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, joint pain, depression, a feeling of being disconnected from yourself, etc.

The every other day dosing works for some, drives others crazy. That's a pretty high dose to do alternating days. I hope it works out for you.

Thank you for your reply. Do you know if the withdrawal symptoms are worse than the side effects of being on the pred? or if they will be worse because I am at such a high dose going to nothing?

The withdrawal is usually worse when you've been on steroids a longer time. How long have you been on them? I was on for two years and the withdrawal was totally different from being on them, and worse. I actually enjoyed having more energy and needing less sleep while on prednisone, although the rage and fatness wasn't so great. You might not have big problems withdrawing. Probably be tired, fatigued. If it's been a short time you might not have muscle pain. You might be moody.
Erica