nausea/headache | Arthritis Information

A month ago I had a cort. shot in my shoulder cause I couldn't move it and in two days the pain ws all gone in my hands, wrists and upper arms. So I decreased my pred from 6 3/4 down to 5 for five days and then down to 3 3/4. I then tried to drop to 2 1/2 cause I was feeling no pain and immediately developed a nasty headache that won't go away and also this feeling of nausea. I'm holding on 3 3/4 but can't get rid of these problems. Could it be that my body is not producing the cortisol?? I've read many of your past posts but hve not seen anything pertaining to headache/nausea from dropping pred. Need help.

Jule

Hi Jule

Under NO circumstances should you be cutting back that fast. Have you had any blood tests to see if your adrenal glands are producing cortisol yet? The PMR has left my body but I am to decrease l mg every 3 weeks, nothing more, nothing less. Before you get into further trouble you had better see your Dr.

Wishing you luck.

Jule, you should definitely consult your doctor about your headache and nausea. I don't want to scare you, but there might be a possibility that you are experiencing GCA. If you are, this is an emergency. Your sed rate needs to be evaluated to see if you have GCA.i also get nausious once in a while, i have not noticed if it happens when i decrease the pred. sometimes just eating a small amount of food relieves it

i am also light headed a lot like i am spaced out this i think adds to the nausea

i am on 8 mg of pred and trying to get off but really feeling terrible, dr wants me to take imuran, do not want to but i can not go on like this.

i know i am getting worse as every day goes by, so much trouble walking, lifting my arms, fixing my hair, i am just about taking care of my self these days any worse and i would be such a burden to my children and i do not want that

hope all is well georgiana
I would agree that you reduced your dosage too fast, although I don't know how long you've been on prednisone. I've been on for 2 1/2 years, am at 3.0 mg and only reduce by .5 mg per month. Even then, I can notice the effects of withdrawal (muscle & joint pain, fatigue, depression, albeit mild) for a few weeks. I also notice a bit of headache when I reduce, although it's not generally listed as a side effect. Your side effects would usually clear up in a few weeks, tho. Are you experiencing any pain or stiffness as well? The effects of the cortisol shot wouldn't last more than a couple of weeks, I believe.

Keep in mind that even people who have been off prednisone for months will still have to take it if they undergo surgery or any kind of major stress. It is not something to fool around with, as sudden withdrawal can be life threatening.