Steroids

[Kazal]

My OH has a serious lung disease for which he takes a lot of medication including steroids which the consultant would like him to eventually come off them. He was on 20mgs 6 months ago and managed to come down to 15mgs without too much problem, 6 weeks ago he came down to 10 mgs and was quite unwell for about 4 days with stomach cramps etc. 10 days ago he came down to 5 mgs and has been quite ill for the past 6 days - stomach cramps, weakness and shaking in the legs, cold sweats etc. and as he is already unwell is considering going back to 10 mgs as he is very depressed about the whole matter. My question is how long is it likely to be before he stops having withdrawal symptoms. It would be such a shame to go back on 10 mgs having suffered this long.

[Sqad]

Personally, I cannot associate, the symptoms that your OH is experiencing, with steroid withdrawal.
I would see your GP or the Chest Physician, to rule out other causes of the prevailing symptoms.

[trt]

Hi Kazal,
I have had COPD for the past 3 years, and been taking steroids & antibiotics on and off for the past 7 months, due to it getting worse.

After having a CT Scan 2 weeks ago I was told last Friday by my Chest Physician, that I had some scarring on my lungs, and traces of Asbestos desiese, which probably was from my younger days as a carpenter/builder, as Asbestos was everywhere.

I feel awful some days, but Physician says that taking steroids regularly can have bad side effects, so I have an emergency pack at home.

I also have three different inhalers, tablets for Mucus, and a thing called The Flutter, which you blow in.

Does your OH take all these?

[bednobs]

i personally think his rte of tailing them off looks too fast, although they would be unusual symptoms for coming off them

[anneasquith]

Trt. What is ,the flutter ?.

[trt]

Here it is Anne,

Not sure if it actually does any good, but just realized I have to do it longer in time.

http://evergreen-nebulizers.co.uk/mucus/flutter.html

[Kazal]

Hi Squad He was on steroids last year and his consultant tried weaning him off them but as soon as he stopped the 10mgs he became quite ill and reluctantly his consultant told him to go back on 10 mgs and he was a lot better.
Trt He has Ideopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis and is on Pirfenidone, antibiotics,steroids, oxygen and other things. He was on inhalers and sprays but they do not seem to help.
He decided he would try and come off the steroids by himself as he knows they affect other things but as he is unwell anyway and it is only making him worse, think he will go back on to 10 mgs.
Thanks for all your replies

[bednobs]

hi kazal, as i think i probably said before, relative of mine also sufferes with this horrible illness. Perhaps when weaning off steroids, he could go down to 9mg per dy first, then after a bit 8 mg and so on

[trt]

Kazal,
I forgot to say in my post that I always feel lousy about 3/4 days after I have finished the steroids, and the last lot I got last week, I have to take one less of 6 a day for the last 6 days, if that makes sense.

Hope you find the answer, what has his Doc said.

[anneasquith]

Thanks try. Just to be clear. Do you use one. Does it help ?

[trt]

## Thanks try. Just to be clear. Do you use one. Does it help ? ##

Yes I think it does now.
Only had it a few weeks and was only using it for 5 min 3 times a day, but now know it should be more.

I got mine free on prescription, cost £49.99 otherwise.