Can I STOP Cold Turkey After Only Taking 50mg Prednisone This Morning???

Posted over a year ago

Hi . . just wondering . . My doctor prescribed Prednisone for severely itchy arms which I have had for months now and is driving me crazy! However, after only taking two tablets this morning, I have noticed my legs are really aching and I feel very tired ... more »

Hi . . just wondering . . My doctor prescribed Prednisone for severely itchy arms which I have had for months now and is driving me crazy! However, after only taking two tablets this morning, I have noticed my legs are really aching and I feel very tired and 'fuzzy headed'. This prompted me to find this website and do some 'research' for myself. What I have read from all of you who have written in with these side effects has shocked me!! I wish I had NEVER started!! My question now is, can I just 'stop' and not take any more tomorrow, or will that do even more harm?? My doctor wants me to take this drug for the next 20 days, tapering off to 1/2 tablet for the last 5 days. HELP . . any advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated :)

7 Replies

Reese99 - It is completely fine to stop. The only people that need a tapering dose are people that have been on it chronically and more than 10 days worth of time. Severely itchy arms? I can understand why your doctor prescribed it. Antihistamines over the counter are good for itchy skin, which I'm sure you've tried. One prescription drug good for you might be Hydroxyzine -- you should ask your doctor about that. It is an antihistamine. Zyrtec just went over the counter too. Although Zyrtec is known for treating allergies...it is also good for treating chronic itchy skin.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Kebomiller - Dont know if I would quit now though..Prednisone has been described as the "wonderful evil" drug. The first two weeks of prednisone was the wonderful.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

47140 - My research has led me to this: When you are taking Prednisone your adrenal glands get 'Lazy' waiting for Prednisone to do the job the glands do normally. When you stop or are being tapered this causes a Fight or Flight situation, causing the body to over compensate. This action sends more adrenaline than is needed causing heart rate to increase with possible cardiac trauma. Please use caution.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Fatcat - Hi! I had been taking Prednisone for 3 month starting with 7.5mg. But it does not matter - when you exceed 5mg your body stops producing own adrenalin and your adrenal glands just become "lazy". When you start reducing the dose, it's a BIG QUESTION how long it will take for their recovery!!! And you,of course, will feel all "amenities" of weaning process including extreme fatigue, mood changes (sometimes even psychosis), panic attacks, depression, high blood pressure, rapid hertbeat and other well known side effects.Some people, including me, may need up to ONE YEAR to get back to normal physically and mentally! Again: IT'S VERY VERY VERY DANGEROUS AND UNPREDICTABLE DRUG!!! Always ask for other options(opinions) before you get cought and use common sense not just doctor's opinion. It's your body not doctor's...

Posted over a year ago - Reply

S2a2r2i2 - DON'T DO IT. I have been on and off prednisone for years. I truly hate taking this drug (i'm on it right now) but during university examinations I have to as my usual medication is methotrexate (a chemotherapy drug). Anyway Last semester I was on 50mg a day for almost 2 months and I tried to just get off it cold turkey because I HATE PREDINOSE AND ALL ITS HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS it is seriously worse then the chemo, its just because it is a steriod it helps me study. Anyway when I went off it cold turkey with in a couple of days I started having heart palputations, the potassium in my dropped giving my hyperkylemia and then I went into cardiac arrest!!!! All because I tried to go off prednisone cold turkey, I almost died and got stuck in hospital for a week, it is definately not worth it...if you want to stop taking it just taper off the drug responsibly with the help of your doctor.

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Kitten - I was just prescribed a 50 mg pill a day for 5 days. I was having severe weezing a few times at night and wasn't sure if it was allergies or from a chest cold I had months ago! The Dr. said I had some weezing in one of my lungs and prescribed the predisone as well as Zpak and singulair!! I felt better after the first 2 days and think the Zpak worked! I have 2 predisone pills left and don't think I need... or want to take them now!!!!

Posted over a year ago - Reply

Cjpryor01 - I am in the same situation, I took it only 2 days 30 mg each one and I want to stop it because of the side effects. Do you think t should be fine since it is only 2 days??? Please any advise would be helpful. Thanks

Posted over a year ago - Reply

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