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off the pred but....is it possible to still feel the effects

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Posted 9/9/2007 10:29 AM (GMT -8)
I have been off the pred for 2 weeks. I am a lot less wired, but still unable to sleep without popping an ativan (have been able to reduce that from 2 mg. to 1 mg on most nights), find that I am ravenous much of the time and craving a lot of sugar, and seem to be crying at the drop of a hat. My face seems less puffy, but this is how I felt when I was coming off the stuff from 40 to 30. Do these sound like residual side effects of the pred and if so, how long can I expect them to last? (I am otherwise doing fairly well GI wise- finished the induction of Remicade a month ago but developed Lupus-like syndrome, so will be starting Humira on 9/20)
Posted 9/9/2007 10:42 AM (GMT -8)
The effects of prednisone can still be with you for this long. It took me a couple of months to get rid of the moon face the last time I tapered. Your adrenal glands are suppressed when on corticosteroids, and as you taper, the glands have to wake back up, so to speak. Sometimes it takes a while. I'm glad you're doing okay, GI-wise.
Posted 9/9/2007 12:56 PM (GMT -8)
Depending on how long you were on prednisone, will depend on how long the side effects will last. My doctor wants me to wear a medic alert braclet for a full year after I finish tapering. But, I've been on prednisone for most of the last 14 years, so my adrenal glands are pretty much shot.
Posted 9/10/2007 6:29 PM (GMT -8)
Hi there....I am sure everyone is different to how they react to Pred and how the effects are on and off the drug....but from my experience is that it took me 4 months to finally feel that the darn drug was out of my system.

I have a friend of mine that is a doctor...and she said that depending on how strong the dose and how long you were on it...it can take up to 1 year to get out of your system.
Posted 9/11/2007 6:01 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks- I was on the @#$%$ stuff for 8 months- started at 40 mg, went up to 60 for a number of weeks and then gradually tapered back to 40, stayed on that for several months before tapering to 30 then to 20 for several more months. I then tapered literally 1 mg at a time over a 2 month period until I went off it 2 weeks ago. I guess I just need to be more patient. I am trying to wean myself off the Ativan, which i took for alll of those 8 months so I could sleep, but can't seem to go much lower than 1 mg. as long as the pred is stilll in my body.
Posted 9/11/2007 11:12 PM (GMT -8)
hey lisa, actually if you read the package insert from prednisone, you should tell all your medical people, drs, dentist, ambulance, etc.. for 1 year, that you wee on steroids. it can affect what your treatment is. if you have a trauma like a car accident with injury etc.. you may have to go back on it to help your body heal etc..
Posted 9/12/2007 3:42 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Lisa The old adrenal gland has to kick in so might take a bit of time I have to get off it too my glucose went up a little because of pred. down to 7and a half mgs . I wouldn't think that the Ativan is too much to worry about for a little while. Hopefully you will get to sleep on your own soon. Gosh I didn't know it makes you weepy after getting off it .Hope you feel better soon lol gail
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