Stopped Prednisone After 4 Days- Need Advice On Withdrawal! (Top voted first)

I went to the ER a little over a week ago for a severe allergic reaction. I'm not sure what caused the reaction but I had woken up with a swollen face and swollen itchy eyes. My left eye was so swollen it was almost completely closed. I had no problems with my breathing. When I arrived at the ER, they put me on on IV with prednisone and some allergy medicine. I went home about an hour later but he prescribed me prednisone pills to start the next day. The first day I was to take 6, then 5, then 4....until the end of day 6. I took the doses for the first 2 days but those 2 days were rough. I couldn't sleep at all. I was miserable. I ended up tapering down faster than prescribed. So the 3rd day I only took 3 and then 2 then 1. I haven't had any since last Thursday. So I took then only 5 days instead of 6 and no where near the dose they prescribed. I just couldn't handle it. On Friday I ended up with a horrible sinus infection that I'm still trying to get over. I am miserable but I can't determine if it's from withdrawal or the sinus infection is partially to blame. I feel dizzy, achy, stomach aches, bloated, sad, emotional, scared (mainly because I'm afraid I've messed up my body by stopping early) and I'm not sure what to make of it. It was only when I started reading about stopping prednisone that I realized you are never to stop this medicine early. I am worried I've messed my body up. Can someone offer some advice. I'm worried because I started with the full dose prescribed but didn't taper the way I should have. I tapered off..but too fast. I feel miserable. Will this go away? If so, how long?

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Generally, the tapering is most important if you were taking it for 21 days, or more. You should double check with your doctor, but most likely there's nothing to worry about. Many people even take just one steady dose for 5 days or so, with no tapering. I've taken it that way before, due to a bad allergic reaction.

The symptoms you described experiencing are all normal side effects of steroids, as listed by the FDA, especially when you start at a high dosage. You could also experience acne, weight gain and fluid retention.

What you're experiencing now are likely still side effects from taking it, as well as symptoms of the sinus infection. It will take about 2 weeks for all of the side effects to fully go away.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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I was prescribed 5 days of prednisone for asthma. 50mg once a day. I'm on my 3rd day and I'm not having side effects but I'm feeling better . Can I stop. I don't want to continue due to everything I hear.

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Re: Lynda (# 2)

You would probably be okay if you just stopped. It shouldn't be an issue. If you want to be extra cautious just use what you have to taper over the next to days. I.E. 30mg tomorrow and 10mg the next day.

Also it's always nice to have some prednisone in reserve as it is an effective, albeit powerful, anti-inflammatory that can be used in small doses for a wide variety of ailments and/or allergic reactions.

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Re: Mason (# 3)

I was on 50 mg of Prednisone for 10 days for nasal polyps, my ENT did not request a taper. They only taper now if you have been on the drug for 2 weeks or more. About 2 days after I stopped I have had major insomnia where I do not have the ability to fall asleep. I have a few low dose clonazepam for anxiety, I take one in the evening until I see my doc on April 5th. I am hoping that this insomnia episode is due to the withdrawal from the prednisone, do you think it is? I had insomnia like this about 10 years ago, so I guess I am sensitive to it. There is a huge psychological factor in the inability to fall asleep. I would like your opinion, please.

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Re: Macada (# 4)

I have taken prednisone several times, as you stated, with no taper. The reason i've always taken it is for gout attacks. I think the only time I titrated was the very first time my doctor prescribed it. Now when I need it I just call and he'll have a 5 day supply at the pharmacy in ten minutes with no instructions to taper. So you're right about that.

I'm my personal experience i've noticed little to no side effects from the drug or from cessation of it. I did notice I felt a little more "energized" while taking it. Perhaps a little more irritable. Yet in a very minor sense. Upon cessation I think I may have had a little insomnia, but then again I take alprazolam and trazodone at night, which effectively make it very easy to fall asleep.

It could just be placebo. The mind is a very powerful thing. It could also very well be from stopping the prednisone in my opinion. Hopefully it (insomnia) goes away and you're able to sleep better again.

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Re: Mason (# 5)

It also could be because I was on 50 mg,a significant dose. I never had any side effects when I was taking it, the insomnia only started when I stopped. I guess I'll just have to hang in there until I can see my doc on the 5th. Thanks for your reply.

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