Question about prednisone usage
Quote:
> I'm currently being treated with prednisone for Crohn's disease. My
> dosage started off at 40mg every other day beginning in August. My
> doctor has tapered me down to 5mg every other day. I have no more
> symptoms, yet he refuses to take me off. He told me the
> dosage was too low to cause any damage. I've heard many bad
> things about long term usage of prednisone. So, my questions are:
> 1) Should I find a new doctor?
No, not yet anyhow.
Quote:
> 2) How long is it safe to be on this dosage?
This is a pretty low dosage. My understanding (not as a professional)
is that the body's own corticosteriod level is about 5mg/day. You're
probably pretty safe on it for quite a while.
Quote:
> 3) Can I taper myself off? (I know you are not supposed to quit
> cold turkey.)
I'd work with your doctor to determine WHY you are not being tapered
the rest of the way (is your disease still active?). Oh, and by
the way, Crohn's can still be active an asymptomatic.
Quote:
> I just find it very hard to believe I should
> stay on a medication as bad as prednisone, if I am not having any
> problems.
Some people are on for years :-( at dosages higher than that. If you're
not off in another 6 months or a year, then I might wonder why I am
on the maintenance dosage for so long.
-tom
Thomas Lapp
IBDList moderator
