Low doses of prednisone

na, it won’t effect you much in my opinion–
i was taking 60mg now at 50 and my neuro and i are planning to reduce even more…

the side effects haven’t been significant– well worth the benefits i have gotten… but 5mg, na…

want to talk more, feel free to contact me personally.

best of luck–
alice

5 mgs is a very low dose and usually you do not get bad side effects on that low of a dose. It’s the high doses you have to worry about. The higher doses of prednisone can cause alot of problems. He may keep weaning you down until you get to 1mg and then stop totally. A very slow tapering off the drug. The only thing about getting to the low doses, is if you have been on high doses and you may experience some withdrawal symptoms. Making you feel like you have no energy and fatigue issues but the low doses is what these doctor’s would rather see! Good to see you on that lower dose and hope you get better soon. Hugs

I take 5mg on odd days. My neuro said that I shouldn’t get the side effects from this that your body actually produces that much on it own. I started out on 70 mg a day and have tapered over time. I did have the side effects already so it is hard for me to tell if I still get them. I got the moon face, hump back, weight gain and cataracts to boot. But it did help improve my function so its a trade off….I can deal with the side effects if I can move! So I don’t know if this helped you or not but at least you know their are others out there. You are not alone.

5 mg. didn’t bother me, it was when I was at 60 mg for 6 years, that it really bother me and took 1 1/2 years to get off completely.

[QUOTE=deem]Hi, I was wondering if anyone is on a low dose of pred (5 mg or less) and if so, are you having any side effects from it? My neuro thinks that this dosage will not cause the harmful side effects, yet I’ve read things on the internet that suggest otherwise.

My current treatment is prednisone – 5 mg daily, Imuran – 75 mg daily, and IVIG every 4 months. As far as my dr. and I can tell, I am symptom-free.

thanks.[/QUOTE]

I missed this thread back in Sept. still catching up. Looking up all prednisone threads because I am starting it Nov. 9th.

I was told that the body produces the equivalent of 15mg per day. So, taking 5mg should not make a big difference, one would think. I guess taking that 60mg for 5 or 6 years could take its toll.

Emma, if you see this, why did they have you on it so long if I may ask? Did they try other things? or was the Prednisone what worked best for you.

I am hoping I get things things under control with Prednisone and down to a low enough dose that side effect are minimal so I can work and just take the pill. Looking to Buy time.

Hi Tim! I was placed on IV Pulse Steriods in the early 90’s and have seen those pulse many times over. But have taken as high as 100mgs of steroids weaning down to 5 mgs. A few months to a year on steroids normally does not cause problems. But if someone is on it long term at high doses then it can cause problems. Low doses normally does not cause problems unless you take them for many many years. But have followed high doses back down to low doses.
The high doses if taken over and over again can cause anything from Osteosporsis, High Blood pressure, Easy bruising, Diabetes, Cushingnoid Syndrome, Weight Gain, and higher risk for Infections. Normally low doses won’t do to much damage or any damage at all.
Someone first starting out on a high dose may experience some side effects but usually it goes away one the dose is lowered back to a more normal level that the body can tolerate.
It takes higher doses to take away inflammation and helps to heal the nerves where they can function again. But you will see some side effects. Mood swings is one of them. I was always a shy and quiet person before the steroids. After taking them I became up front and spoke my peace! LOL! Went from Miss Wimp to Superwoman! LOL! It really effected my moods.
But that will go away once the doses are lowered.
Believe me! Those steroids saved my life many years back and everytime my doctors try to lower my doses back to low again I start getting sickly again. Lupus kicks back in and problems come. I have the Osteosporsis from it and get infections alot. But I have been on them constantly for almost 16 years. 16 years constant steroid use will do some harm. Watching what you eat and getting exercise makes a difference too. If you take Prednisone and eat nothing but sweets the whole entire time you are on them. You may see Diabetes onset! It’s all a matter in taking care of yourself while being on them. While being on them it would be wise to take Calcium to help protect the bones. Prednisone since it can cause bone loss and cause Osteosporosis is the one main danger many users have to worry about. Taking Calcuim helps to keep the bone loss levels down and protects you from getting that. But it depends on the person!Hope this helps!
Linda H

Hi, everyone;
I’ve been on 10 mg every other day (essentially 5mg/day) for 13 years now. have gone up to 60mg during 4 relapses, but only for a few months.

my side effects:
weight gain: I’m 20 lbs overweight. MY GP and neuro say that’s pretty good for long-term pred used.

bruising: I bruise very easily–even during massage!

bone density: it’s low. My bone density started showing signs of early stages of osteoporosis about 6 years in, when I was in my mid-30s. Unfortunately, I had some additional side effects from Fosamax, and all the other osteo. drugs are for post-menopausal women only.

BUT, I can walk. And there’s no way I could without it.

It’s different for everyone. One neuro tried to wean me off pred completely, as he was sure that this low dose wasn’t doing anything for me. My relapse was very quick, and so I went back on.

-Marie

Marie, My neuro agrees with yours. He is very reluctant to take me off the 5 mg every other day…..He said many of his patients have relasped when totally off prednisone. I still have him talked into it but I have to wait as we just discontinued the IVIG and he doesn’t want to make too many changes at the same time.

good luck Jan! I hope you can stop the pred.

-marie

[QUOTE=JanB]Marie, My neuro agrees with yours. He is very reluctant to take me off the 5 mg every other day…..He said many of his patients have relasped when totally off prednisone. I still have him talked into it but I have to wait as we just discontinued the IVIG and he doesn’t want to make too many changes at the same time.[/QUOTE]