HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Severe Anxiety While Tapering Prednisone Pills?

default
Posted on Tue, 29 Sep 2015
Question: Help!!! Finished on the 18th of last month..... A taper dose of prednisone 4mg... 3 days in I felt anxiety so severe ..I did not know it existed like this !! I'm 56 and have never experienced any issues of this nature!! I'm not on any medications and had never taken prednisone before.now I'm am having horrific anxiety that wakes me up early morning .... It is awful and hard to function.... It tapers down during the day and I feel better early evening. How long will this last .. Will my body adapt? I don't want to take more meds to counter act as I never do well with medications... Thanks please please help!! Thank you ! Email is... YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Prednisone

Detailed Answer:
Sorry to note your bothersome symptoms.

I see you mention tapering doses of prednisone. But I would like to clarify that you indeed finished the course in a matter of 3 days?

The reason I ask is that when prednisone is taken for a period of more than 3 weeks in doses higher than 5 mg daily, must be withdrawn slowly only or otherwise it can cause problems.

So if you definitely took it only for 3 days , and then dose of 4 mg that you mentioned is the only dose you took then it is unlikely to cause significant problems in your body.

Although sometimes it can worsen blood glucoses and blood pressure temporarily while it is being taken.

When I see someone like you in my practice, I order the following tests:
CBC
CMP
HbA1c
Glucose
TSH

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (49 minutes later)
I'm sorry I did not clarify... It was a 6 day taper dose pack !!! Day 3 was when I felt such anxiety ..... Thank you so much!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shehzad Topiwala (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
A short duration of days typically does not lead to symptoms that you are experiencing but it is possible some people may react like this to prednisone.
It would be best to see your primary care provider who would examine you thoroughly in-person and consider treatment to help you feel better. For example, some medication to calm your anxiety would be helpful
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
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shehzad Topiwala

Endocrinologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 1663 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Severe Anxiety While Tapering Prednisone Pills?

Brief Answer: Prednisone Detailed Answer: Sorry to note your bothersome symptoms. I see you mention tapering doses of prednisone. But I would like to clarify that you indeed finished the course in a matter of 3 days? The reason I ask is that when prednisone is taken for a period of more than 3 weeks in doses higher than 5 mg daily, must be withdrawn slowly only or otherwise it can cause problems. So if you definitely took it only for 3 days , and then dose of 4 mg that you mentioned is the only dose you took then it is unlikely to cause significant problems in your body. Although sometimes it can worsen blood glucoses and blood pressure temporarily while it is being taken. When I see someone like you in my practice, I order the following tests: CBC CMP HbA1c Glucose TSH