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Real members of MyLupusTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I know a lot of you take prednisone. I am taking for polymyalgia. I took 20 mg the month of June daily. My labs were normal Monday so she de

A MyLupusTeam Member asked a question 💭
NC

Decreases me to 15 mg. Now day 4 my muscles feel so weak and I am shaky. Got 4 hours sleep last night. Could not go to sleep. Is this normal when decreasing prednisone. Evidently you taper each month as long as pmr is controlled. Until you are off of it.

July 2
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Answer Summary

Members responded with empathy and practical tips to a question about muscle weakness, shakiness, and sleep trouble after tapering prednisone... Read more

Members responded with empathy and practical tips to a question about muscle weakness, shakiness, and sleep trouble after tapering prednisone for polymyalgia. Several members shared their own tapering journeys, including how long it took to reach lower doses, the importance of taking prednisone early in the day to avoid sleep disruption, and watching for symptoms during step-downs. A recurring theme was encouragement to stay patient with the process, try gentle strategies like visualization or warm drinks for sleeplessness, and reach out to a doctor if symptoms don't improve.

A MyLupusTeam Member

The AI answer is good, Frankie. Hopefully, you adapt over the next several days. You should contact your doctor if you do not, and I hope you feel better soon.

July 2
MyLupusTeam

What a great question — are muscle weakness, shakiness, and sleep trouble normal when tapering prednisone?

Yes, these symptoms can absolutely happen when reducing your prednisone dose. When your body has been used to a certain level of prednisone, dropping the dose gives it a bit of a shock while it adjusts to producing more Show Full Answer

What a great question — are muscle weakness, shakiness, and sleep trouble normal when tapering prednisone?

Yes, these symptoms can absolutely happen when reducing your prednisone dose. When your body has been used to a certain level of prednisone, dropping the dose gives it a bit of a shock while it adjusts to producing more of its own natural hormones again. Some common experiences during a prednisone taper include:

- Muscle weakness and shakiness — your body is readjusting
- Insomnia — trouble sleeping is a well-known prednisone side effect at any dose
- Fatigue — feeling more tired than usual is very common

The good news is that these symptoms often improve as your body adapts to the lower dose. That said, it's really important to let your doctor know what you're experiencing. If the symptoms feel severe or aren't improving after a week or so, your care team may want to slow the taper or check your cortisol levels to make sure your body is adjusting properly.

Never adjust the dose on your own — always follow your doctor's guidance on tapering. 💙

July 2
A MyLupusTeam Member

Praying for you.

July 3
A MyLupusTeam Member

It will take a long time for me to get there. I would say best case scenario around a year. That’s a long time to suffer from the side effects.

July 2
A MyLupusTeam Member

Happy 4th of july, im praying for a better nighz than lart night

July 3

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