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Suggest Ways To Wean Off Prednisone
Question: can I wean myself off my prednisone 20 mg tablets for twi months to help me gain weight and help repair my scared stomach from removal of peritional dialysis cathater. I would like to wean myself off in a week or two because the side effects are driving me crazy. Especially mood swings, forgetfulness, and excess energy, so would it be ok if I taper myself off in a week or two?
Brief Answer:
Gradual tapering is recommended
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Sorry to hear about your symptoms. From the history, I gathered that you are on 20 mg Prednisone and that you are on dialysis. May I know what was the indication for Prednisone? Lupus Nephritis ? Nephrotic Syndrome ?
Steroids will make you put on weight. Weaning off steroids is a slow task and should be done after consulting with your doctor. Prednisone is a potent steroid and has to be tapered slowly if you have used it more than 2 weeks continuously. Your body's own production of steroids will be shut down while on long term steroids and sudden withdrawal is dangerous and NOT RECOMMENDED.
If it was permitted by your Nephrologist, we can wean off steroids very gradually. You can reduce it by 5 mg every week and taper it down over a period of one month or more.
Regards
Binu
Gradual tapering is recommended
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Sorry to hear about your symptoms. From the history, I gathered that you are on 20 mg Prednisone and that you are on dialysis. May I know what was the indication for Prednisone? Lupus Nephritis ? Nephrotic Syndrome ?
Steroids will make you put on weight. Weaning off steroids is a slow task and should be done after consulting with your doctor. Prednisone is a potent steroid and has to be tapered slowly if you have used it more than 2 weeks continuously. Your body's own production of steroids will be shut down while on long term steroids and sudden withdrawal is dangerous and NOT RECOMMENDED.
If it was permitted by your Nephrologist, we can wean off steroids very gradually. You can reduce it by 5 mg every week and taper it down over a period of one month or more.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The prednisone was prescribed because I was having intense stomach pain for almost a year due to two stomach surgeries for a peritoneal dialysis cathaters that got infected. My stomach hasn't hurt in months and it seems the side effects impeding with my daily life. I was down to 117 lbs. but now I'm up to 145. I don't know if I can handle the side effects much longer
Brief Answer:
Gradual tapering
Detailed Answer:
Okay. If you have used prednisone for more than 2 weeks, then it is better to slowly taper it down by 5 mg a week.
Do not take Prednisone in the evenings. Take as a single dose in the morning. In that way, few side effects like lack of sleep and mood swings can be minimized.
We need to go slow while weaning off from long term steroids.
Gradual tapering
Detailed Answer:
Okay. If you have used prednisone for more than 2 weeks, then it is better to slowly taper it down by 5 mg a week.
Do not take Prednisone in the evenings. Take as a single dose in the morning. In that way, few side effects like lack of sleep and mood swings can be minimized.
We need to go slow while weaning off from long term steroids.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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