How I Avoided Prednisone Withdrawal And Its Side Effects

A crazy thing happened to me last month. I ran out of prednisone and had to stop taking it, cold turkey.

Many of you know that you don't just go off prednisone cold like that. You're supposed to wean yourself slowly, or risk serious withdrawal symptoms.

In prednisone withdrawal, you can experience fatigue, flu-like symptoms, mood dips, inflammation and swelling, among other symptoms. 

All of these symptoms flare up while your body gets used to making its own cortisol again.

Some quick background info on me: Seventeen years ago my diagnosis was autoimmune disease. Over the years, my symptoms have included rheumatoid arthritis in every joint of my body including my neck and rib cage, along with brain and nervous system symptoms, skin rashes, hormone imbalances, etc. Some doctors have told me that my autoimmune disease was triggered by lyme disease, and is now considered chronic lyme disease. 

It's complicated, I know. What else is new? 

So anyway, back to the prednisone. I was almost off of it, finally, after using it for a flare in symptoms that I experienced this past winter. 

I ran out on a Friday. I thought I had another full bottle in the bathroom cabinet somewhere. But I could not find it anywhere! My prescription didn't have any refills and my doctor's office wouldn't be open until Monday.

I freaked out. This meant that my knees and fingers and wrists were going to swell. I was going to get night chills and a sore throat.

I went into emergency mode and...

You'll have to listen to the episode to find out more!