Side effects of prednisone disappearing

[elephant]

Sangye, yes I am down to 8mg, and I am nervous because after I exercised today my ears clogged up and I sound like I have a cold. I know if I don't exercise I will have less sinus issues. But I feel great after I exercise, except the sinus and ear didn't like it. Darn it!
Sangye how much prednisone are you on now? 2.75?

[Sangye]

I'm down to 2.25 but tomorrow is my first day at 2.0 mg. I don't have any joint pain and other Wegs symptoms, so I'm really glad.

Elephant, I have a suggestion. Each time you drop to a new level, it takes awhile for your body to compensate and level off. I think it might work if you did extremely low-level exercise for a week or two each time you drop a bit, until you feel like things have settled down. You're producing endorphins after exercise, which may be masking the exertion.

Do you ever notice a slight feeling of sleepiness while you're exercising? It's like your body has energy but you're head is falling asleep. I get that when I'm doing too much. Very strange sensation, but I know to listen to it.

[elephant]

Sangye that is great! So when will you be completely off it? I have not felt sleepiness, just tired sometimes while exercising. I will have to keep an eye on that. Tomorrow no exercise. Just lay like broccoli.

[Sangye]

It's the tired thing. For me it feels like someone suddenly injected anaesthetic. No warning first-- no sense of physical fatigue. The moment it hits I stop. The best is to stop before it even hits. I'm getting better about that.

I'm planning to be off pred by June 26, which is my 4 year anniversary of Wegs dx. It just worked out that way.

[jola57]

Yeay Sangye, I so hope you will finaly start to get better and better.

[elephant]

Sangye, June 26 will be a big day for you! Can't wait for that day!

[Sangye]

Me neither! Today was the first day of taking 2mg. It was great not to have to split any pills into halves or quarters. I take it first thing in the morning and my fine motor skills are not online yet. If I split them ahead of time I'd still have to handle the itty bitty pieces.

[Col 23]

Sangye and Elephant, thrilled to hear good news for you, I too am reducing Pred but my Rhuemy doesnt know yet. Well if she took my calls she would. Im down to 15mg two days ago. Yes I did speak with my GP doc, he did tell me to taper slowly but I took it down by 5mg from 20mg instead of the 2.5 he suggested. I had been on 20 for a month and after a few minor flares was okay. If the 15mg is okay, I will be reducing by 2.5mg after that and slower after that. I will be having a chat to my Rhuemy about this on Wednesday.
Im still on 25mg of Methotrexate and I hope I will be able to go lower on that soon. I actually had some energy today. Wow... Fingers crossed. Could also be the extra antidepressants have kicked in and masking things, we will see.
I have been monitoring your tapering and learning from that so thanks heaps for the posts on your progress.
Col 23






Col 23

[Sangye]

Col, I bet I'm not the only one wincing that you're lowering the pred faster than your rheumy advised. Please take it slowly so you can avoid repeated flares.

It may well be that the antidepressants are balancing your brain chemicals better. They don't mask anything though-- just return things to a normal balance. At any rate, I'm really happy to hear you're feeling better.

[Cindy M]

Sangye, I am so glad to hear that you will be off the preds soon. I am down to 40 mg a day which is the lowest I have been on since I started in Jan/09. I really like your explanation about the head feeling like its gone to sleep, didn't quite know how to explain it but you said it perfectly. I went for a bone density test a couple of weeks ago and the results came back great. My rhuemy said they were better than good, but with that said, I was somehow pulling the sheet from under me in bed and ended up hurting myself. I went for xrays last thursday to see if I had fractured a rib, I reinjured it on Sunday by just getting off the couch. I have been in so much pain...laying down, getting up, forget trying to cough of sneeze, hopefully it will get better. I am wondering if I maybe pulled a muscle or something else.

Anyway Sangye, the end of June will be a great time for you and me. I finally get my new place on June 30th. I have been living with my sister since Jan 15th so I am ready to get my own space. I think she is too. It's been okay but I am really excited to get my own place.