Tapering down prednisone

Today, a young co-worker was complaining about losing sleep over a new baby (his first.) I had to snicker because - this is only the beginning! 

I laugh about how new parents think that once their baby sleeps through the night, things will be all better. You seasoned parents are probably laughing right along with me at this point.....

You wish for the next stage of your child's development. If only they would sleep through the night as a newborn. If they could just roll over! Sit up! Walk! etc.

Then these new parents remark about how nice it must be to have kids in college. They think we have raised them, so we don't have to worry about adult children, right? 

Wrong.

Adult children still get sick and yes, they still call their mom. My mom used to say, "Once you are a parent, you are a parent for the rest of your life."

So it was no surprise when Middle Son was sick and wanted to talk to me. He wanted to tell me all of his symptoms, and ask what to do. He's had asthma for 19 years, but still worries sometimes if it's not a big deal or if he should go to the ER.

He was so sick, I had to drive him to the ER and the pharmacy. I was surprised to read the directions on his prednisone. (If you are REALLY sick, the doctor will prescribe prednisone. It's an oral steroid that will help reduce swelling in the lungs.) 

Since I've had 19 years of managing my kid's asthma, I know the usual routine for prednisone. Asthma Doc would have my kids start with a high dose for a few days, then slowly taper down to a lower dose, then stop.

He always warned us not to suddenly stop taking prednisone (even if the kids felt better), because it can cause some problems. Mayo Clinic says you can have:

• Severe fatigue
• Weakness
• Body aches
• Joint pain
• Nausea
• Loss of appetite
• Lightheadedness

You could also cause problems with your adrenal gland. According to Mayo Clinic:

"Prednisone is similar to cortisol, a hormone naturally made by your adrenal glands. If you take prednisone for more than a few weeks, your adrenal glands decrease cortisol production. A gradual reduction in prednisone dosage gives your adrenal glands time to resume their normal function."

I am really surprised at how the ER doc prescribed the medication - take a high dose for 5 days and then just suddenly stop. Asthma Doc does NOT want us to take it that way. 

I know ER doctors treat anyone and everyone that comes through the door. But they can't be an expert on every medical condition. And he definitely wasn't on asthma - he said they usually get one or two patients with asthma. 

So, thanks for the prescription, but we'll have Middle Son take the prednisone the way Asthma Doc  usually recommends - tapering the dose so he doesn't affect his adrenal gland.

If you are taking prednisone, remember that most experts (like Mayo Clinic) recommend slowly tapering. If in doubt, call your doctor!