Come off prednisone the right way

Ready to say goodbye to prednisone? Learn the safest way to taper off prednisone when managing your autoimmune disease. Avoid the risks of stopping cold turkey with these expert tips and strategies from Dr. Ortiz!

🔗 Links:

The guide you need to tell your doc your story -and get answers once and for all!

🎥 watch more:

💡Video Key Takeaways
✔️ Prednisone should not be stopped abruptly due to the risk of adrenal insufficiency. A slow, methodical tapering process allows adrenal glands to resume cortisol production.
✔️ The tapering schedule should be personalized based on the duration of prednisone use and the individual's health status. Decrease the dose gradually over days, weeks, or months, depending on the length of use.
✔️ Always discuss tapering plans with a doctor to ensure it's safe and appropriate. Regular communication helps manage expectations and adjust the tapering process as needed.
✔️ Fatigue and other symptoms may occur during tapering but usually stabilize. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult with a doctor to possibly adjust the tapering pace or dose.
✔️ Long-term prednisone use requires monitoring bone and gut health, potentially needing bone density scans and vitamin D checks. Alternate dosing can help manage tapering difficulties.

⏱️Time Stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:37 Prednisone 101
1:55 Why you can’t just “stop”
2:50 How to taper prednisone
7:35 Dealing with the ups and downs
9:05 Bonus Tips

**Please note - we do not provide medical advice, opinions or diagnosis via email, phone or social media messaging.

👩🏻‍⚕️ About me:
Hello! I am Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz and I’m so happy you are here. I am a double board certified Rheumatologist with over 15 years experience practicing Rheumatology and am passionate about teaching & empowering patients to partner with their doctor.

Want more Connected Rheumatology?
🤝 LinkedIn: Connected Rheumatology, PLLC

** The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional. Any comments and/or recommendations made in the comment section by anyone other than Connected Rheumatology does not reflect the opinion or recommendation of Connected Rheumatology.**

[christinahurt]

Thank you so much Dr! I really especially enjoy the relatable manner in which you present this info. Also thank you very much for the bonus at the end about alternate dosing. I definitely plan on asking my dr about this plan for me. ❤

[zootybeano]

I like it, except for the fragile skin. Down to 3.5 now, 15 months from 20. My PMR is still active so I'll be trying this dose for months. No doctor besides my internist husband.

[pappacicciafulham]

Thank you, great video. I've been on 2mg for over 4 years, I want to stop, but the doctor said it's a low dose and to keep on it. My inflammation markers are all normal. Is 2mg safe ? My condition feel still slightly active.

[darlaaddams]

Thank you! I used to live in Peru and in there it is a very common medicine doctors prescribe to handle even common flu symptoms.. I was prescribed prednisone and was taking it fairly regularly. The problem started when overtime I became allergic to it, and from one day to another suddenly my body became like a Michelin doll, and I could not swallow or walk, my face was like if I had a stroke. I was rushed to the ER and thankfully it was just allergy. I will never be able to take any corticoides anymore, only non-cortisol type medication. Be very careful with this one!

[Richiea]

And since we don't know where PMR comes from or how one gets, do we know how to make it go away?

[Richiea]

I was just diagnosed with PMR a month ago and am on Prednisone right now. My question: is PMR something that is cured by nature or time or by your body response over time? Prednisone is only useful for the side effects (i.e. Pain) and I am certainly grateful for how effective it is.... but it does not cure the PMR.