Tapering and Pred

I'm tapering off my pred and I was wondering if anyone had more problems with the side effects while they were tapering?  I was on 20 and I'm down to 15mg now.  I seem to be having more mood swings and the acne is getting a little worse in certain areas, is this normal while tapering?  Thanks!

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Angie

I've found the worst side effects for me occur as I'm tapering down the last few levels of prednisone. It actually takes about 3 weeks after I've stopped completely for the aggression, acne, "round face" to go away.

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Diagnosed Fall of 2004

Meds:
6MP 1/2tab x 2 25mg ("re-challenging" 6mp)
Remicade 4 infusions
Prednisone 25mg (down to 5mg taper a week)
Citrucil 6-8 capsules a day

My main side effect from tapering is the significant loss of energy.  Once I'm down to 10mg is when it hits me.  Other than that I'm one of the lucky ones not to get the terrible side effect of moon face or weight gain.  I get acne/insomnia/joint pain/mood swings.

Whenever I've tapered off Prednisone, I find that my symptoms start coming back when I get down to about 15 or 10 mg. (Usually starting at 40 mg.) Prednisone is actually a mood elevator for me but I start to lose that happy side effect after about 20 mg!

Maybe you can try to ease the side effects of tapering slower? I've tried alternating -- one day at 20 mg, the next at 15 mg. Or you could try going down 2.5 mg instead of 5.

Maybe that would help? But yes, I think the side effects are pretty normal.

I have completely come off prednisone recently. My mood seems to be improving and my acne that was on my shoulder area and face is almost completely gone away. And my joint pain is finally gone. while i was tapering my spine really hurt and my right knee and ankle swelled up a little for no reason. my torso was so tight i couldn't even fully sneeze, but I can now that i'm completely off.