For the last three days I hve felt just drained of energy,just lethargic, when I stand .and walk around I feel a heavynessTwo days ago.I decreased my pred dossage to 9.5 down from 10 could this be causing this?.This is awful I don't want to even get up and move around It actually seems to get worse as the day goes on.
Hi
I have a similer feeling having just gone down from 9.5 to 9. Legs like lead. I'm hoping it will pass in a few days and I try not to overdo it!
Carol, if these symptoms have started immediately following the reduction in dose, it could simply be due to steroid withdrawal, and should start improving in another couple of days. However, if you find that the symptoms gradually worsen over the next few days, that may mean that the new dose is a step too far for now and you will need to return to 10mg for another couple of weeks.
Carol, I am a newbie at this but Ive found the 3 days following reduction of preds I feel awful, after that things DO slowly get better. But others here will have more experience and Im sure advise you better, as Ive only been on pred. since Feb 2015. Hope you get it sorted!
I am sorry for you. Even though I have only been diagnosed since January, and have only dropped doses twice, I experienced what you are describing. I think I realize now that my system could not handle such big drop-2.5 mg at a time which is the suggested drop from 20 mg which is where I started. And I think I did it too soon. Doc had me wait only two weeks between 17.5 mg and 15 mg because I have had such bad side effects from pred. But doing it this way caused some of the side effects, I think. It has been 15 days today since I dropped to 15 mg and even though I needed a three hour nap am feeling pretty good. I am just continuing to learn about this disease and how my body responds to it and pred. Even though I have had the side effects, I am so grateful my doc diagnosed me and started me on prednisone. I am Slowing my drop in pred WAY down. I am in this for the long haul. Hang in there. It seems things always get better!😊
Thank you for your reply,I am amazazed that half a mg difference can make me feel so bad;
Mrs.O I really did not think that such a small reduction would do this.I am exhausted feel like lead and my head feels kind of heavy not so noticable if I am sitting down
Well the rhuemy said to go down by 1 mg however I took the advice of the people on this site that that was to agressive Im glad I did if this one half mg is doing this I hate to think how bad a 1mg would have made me feel!
It is so great to have this site to turn to I don't feel so overwhelmed thinking there is nowhere to turn thank you all for your replys GREATLY apprecated.
😊
Hi Carol,
I agree that what you are feeling is pretty common when you first reduce. My body reacts to the slightest decrease but it comes around after a few days. I find I even get that way when I really overdue it and it knocks me down for a couple of days.
I agree with Mrs. O though that if your symptoms get worse instead of better you might want to go back to the higher dose for a bit longer.
I hope you're feeling better soon.
Hugs, Diana🌸
I remember writing a post a few years ago about the difference 1/2mg can make.
The reduction scheme described in the replies part of this thread was designed to minimise the shock of going from every day one dose to every day a lower dose. It does work. It takes me 3 or 4 single days of the new dose to stop feeling "strange" for want of a better word for it!
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/pmr-gca-website-addresses-and-resources-35316