Withdrawing from Prednisone - side effects and how to taper off Prednisone, and does CBD help with Prednisone withdrawal

Withdrawing from Prednisone can have withdrawal symptoms, but Prednisone is not addictive perse

Having taken Prednisone for 23 years, I call Prednisone an addictive drug. Even very addictive. If failing to go off a drug for so many years, and having withdrawal symptoms is not addiction, then I don't know what addiction is. But anyway...

By definition, Prednisone is not defined as an addictive drug. However, if taken for longer than a few days, it can cause withdrawal symptoms. This boils down to how hormones work - right by our kidneys, there are two small glands, the adrenal glands. These glands release hormones that essentially command various body parts on what to do. See these hormones like on/off switches.

Some Prednisone History

Prednisone was patented in 1954 and approved for medical use a year later. But its discovery goes long back to 1929 at Mayo Clinic. Initially, regular shipments of adrenal tissues were arriving from Chicago slaughterhouses and were used for research, until a chemist from Merck succeeded to create the adrenal steroid synthetically.

 

In 1948 the first patient was given this new compound, and experienced miraculous results, and so did 30 other patients in the following 7 months.

In 1949, the medication was named cortisone, an acronym for corticosterone and it was said that the first - miracle - patient was a woman, who received 2 dosages of the medication, and after only two days, jumped from her hospital bed and went on a 3 hour-long shopping spree. I'm sure that her husband was thrilled...

The term steroids is an abbreviation of corticosteroids and is not related at all to those steroids that some bodybuilders would take. Corticosteroids are man-made drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone produced by our adrenal glands.

There are a few types of corticosteroids like cortisone, Prednisone, and methylprednisolone, with Prednisone being the most commonly used for rheumatic diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis.

How do steroids work

Simply put, steroids weaken the immune system and reduce its activity. In general, inflammation is a condition in which our white blood cells protect us from foreign infiltrators like bacteria and viruses. But in certain conditions, the immune system is somewhat confused and identifies some of our tissues as enemies, so it goes on an attack. When it works against our tissues, is can cause pain, swelling, redness, etc.

By affecting the activity of white blood cells and other chemicals involved in the inflammation process, steroids reduce the activity of the immune system and help keep tissue damage as minimal as possible.

Main Prednisone Side Effects

As mentioned, when people take Prednisone for a long period of time withdrawal symptoms can occur. But why is that?

Well, Prednisone imitates the naturally occurring hormone cortisol. And under some circumstances, like when the body is stressed, cortisol is naturally released. cortisol is like a protection mechanism and will do the following:

Increasing metabolism and the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Increasing the metabolism means that we are hungrier, and need to eat more. This is a way our body prepares for what's to come under stress - needing more fuel (food) to act upon danger.

Suppressing our immune system. And why is that? since our immune system takes up a lot of our energy to maintain, when under stress, cortisol is instructing the body it's under threat and energy should be shifted from maintaining long-term defense (our immune system), to fighting mode. This reduces our ability to fight infection.

Increasing blood sugar. By breaking down our glycogen stores into smaller glucose molecules, cortisol causes glucose to enter our bloodstream, which causes the blood sugar spike. For various biological reasons, this will decrease muscle protein breakdown. Maybe another way for our body to defend itself and maintain energy.

You can find here an all inclusive list of Prednisone side effects

What happens when you take Prednisone

Since Prednisone adds additional steroid hormones to the system, the body tries to balance cortisol levels and reduces its own natural cortisol production level, since excess cortisol level is harmful. Smart. But this is also right when someone taking Prednisone develops Prednisone dependency. So now, the manmade cortisol replaces natural production, and the body gets used to that lower production level.

At this point, when there's dependency, if someone stops taking Prednisone cold turkey, their adrenal glands will not immediately up their cortisol levels production and then withdrawal symptoms start. Initially, the body is just not producing enough cortisol.

What Are Prednisone Withdrawal Symptoms

So, you are trying, probably for the 100th time, to wean off Prednisone. Good. But what can you expect if you've done it too quick, meaning, your body is still dependent and not producing enough of that magical hormone.

Prednisone Withdrawal Symptoms: Complete Checklist

Recognizing withdrawal symptoms helps you distinguish them from your underlying condition. Here's a comprehensive checklist:

Symptoms

- Extreme fatigue and weakness
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Muscle aches and weakness
- Headaches
- Nausea and loss of appetite
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Fever

Emotional and Mental Symptoms

- Depression and mood swings
- Anxiety and irritability
- Brain fog and difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of motivation

Severity Indicators

Mild: Symptoms don't interfere with daily activities

Moderate: Symptoms affect some daily tasks

Severe: Symptoms significantly impact quality of life

If you experience severe symptoms or they worsen over time, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Your tapering schedule may need adjustment.

Important: Never stop prednisone suddenly without medical supervision. Abrupt discontinuation can cause adrenal crisis, a life-threatening condition.

How Long Prednisone Withdrawal Lasts

If done correctly, and you taper off Prednisone, and other steroids, slowly, your adrenal glands will gradually readjust to increasing their cortisol production. Depending on the dosage of Prednisone you were taking and how long you've taken it, the tapering process can last days to weeks. As a rule of thumb: Anyone who has taken Prednisone for 5 days and more, needs to go through a regulated tapering regime.

 

How to Taper Off Prednisone

Tapering off Prednisone should be done gradually and be guided and monitored by your doctor. If you are experiencing Prednisone withdrawal symptoms, you should consult your doctor and tweak tapering down dosages.

For instance:

If you have taken a 20mg daily dose for the last year and when you lowered the dosage to 10mg per day and experienced Prednisone withdrawal symptoms, you should probably take a smaller step and go to 15mg first before you go down to 10mg. Each step should take no more than a few days.

Prednisone Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect

Understanding the prednisone withdrawal timeline can help you prepare for the tapering process and know what to expect at each stage.

Week 1-2: Initial Tapering Phase

During the first two weeks of tapering, your body begins adjusting to lower corticosteroid levels. You may experience:

- Mild fatigue and low energy
- Slight joint stiffness, especially in the morning
- Mood fluctuations
- Mild headaches

These symptoms are typically manageable and indicate your body is starting to reactivate its natural cortisol production.

Week 3-4: Adjustment Period

As you continue reducing your dose, symptoms may intensify slightly:

- Increased fatigue
- More noticeable joint and muscle pain
- Difficulty concentrating
- Sleep disturbances

This is the most challenging phase, but it's temporary. Your adrenal glands are working to resume normal function.

Month 2-3: Recovery Phase

Most people see significant improvement during this period:

- Energy levels begin to stabilize
- Pain and stiffness decrease
- Mood improves
- Sleep patterns normalize

Your body's natural cortisol production is recovering, though full recovery takes longer.

Month 6+: Full Recovery

For most people, adrenal function returns to normal within 6-12 months after stopping prednisone. However, this timeline varies based on:

- How long you took prednisone
- Your dosage
- Individual health factors
- How gradually you tapered

Some people may need up to 18 months for complete recovery, especially after long-term, high-dose use.

When to Call Your Doctor: Red Flags

While most withdrawal symptoms are manageable, certain signs require immediate medical attention:

Emergency Symptoms (Call 911)

- Severe weakness or inability to stand
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
- Severe abdominal pain
- Rapid heartbeat with chest pain
- Difficulty breathing

Contact Your Doctor Within 24 Hours If You Experience:

- Persistent vomiting or inability to keep food down
- Severe dizziness that doesn't improve with rest
- Fever above 101°F (38.3°C)
- Symptoms that worsen instead of improve
- Signs of your underlying condition flaring up
- Severe depression or suicidal thoughts

Schedule a Follow-Up If:

- Withdrawal symptoms last longer than expected
- You're struggling to follow the tapering schedule
- You need support managing symptoms
- You want to discuss alternative treatments like CBD

Your doctor can adjust your tapering schedule, provide additional support, or rule out other medical issues.

 

Natural Alternatives for Managing Prednisone Withdrawal

Many people find relief from withdrawal symptoms using natural approaches alongside their tapering schedule. Here's how different options compare:

CBD has emerged as a popular option because it addresses multiple withdrawal symptoms simultaneously without significant side effects.

Important: Always discuss natural supplements with your healthcare provider before starting, especially while tapering prednisone. Some may interact with medications or affect your underlying condition. 

Does CBD help withdrawing from Prednisone?

As always, the answer is - depends. And that's because one's reaction to CBD can differ from another. But, if you think about it, that is also the case with conventional medications. There's no real one-fits-all solution, but there are many researches that prove that CBD has some very strong anti-inflammatory qualities, especially when combined with the other cannabinoids and naturally occurring substances in the plant, an effect that is called - the entourage effect.

So in terms of helping with Prednisone withdrawal,  if you look at conditions like autoimmune diseases, in which inflammation is involved, then CBD will help tackle the core problem - inflammation. And if inflammation is reduced in the body, then there's less, or no need at all to take Prednisone to weaken the immune system. It's as simple as that - treat the core problem and don't just cover it up by treating symptoms.

As mentioned, I've been Prednisone-free for the past 4 years, after 23 years of taking it and successfully done so with the help of Reclaim Lab's 2800 Broad Spectrum CBD-Rich oil. But always remember, this is not an overnight miracle, and can take time to work its way and accumulate in our bodies. To better understand how CBD and other cannabinoids work you can read here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Prednisone Withdrawal

How long does prednisone withdrawal last?

Withdrawal symptoms typically last 2-12 weeks, but full adrenal recovery can take 6-18 months. The duration depends on how long you took prednisone, your dosage, and how quickly you taper.

Can I stop prednisone cold turkey?

No, never stop prednisone suddenly. Abrupt discontinuation can cause adrenal crisis, a life-threatening condition. Always taper gradually under medical supervision.

What's the safest prednisone tapering schedule?

There's no one-size-fits-all schedule. Your doctor will create a personalized plan based on your dosage, duration of use, and underlying condition. Typical tapers reduce the dose by 10-20% every 1-2 weeks.

Does CBD interact with prednisone?

CBD is generally considered safe to use alongside prednisone, but it can affect how your liver processes medications. Always consult your healthcare provider before combining CBD with prednisone or any prescription medication.

Can CBD help with prednisone withdrawal symptoms?

Many people report that CBD helps manage withdrawal symptoms like joint pain, inflammation, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. While research is ongoing, CBD's anti-inflammatory and calming properties may provide relief during the tapering process.

Will my symptoms get worse before they get better?

It's common for symptoms to peak around weeks 3-4 of tapering, then gradually improve. If symptoms worsen significantly or don't improve after several weeks, contact your doctor.

How can I speed up adrenal recovery?

Focus on stress management, adequate sleep (7-9 hours), balanced nutrition, gentle exercise, and staying hydrated. Some people find adaptogenic herbs and vitamin C support adrenal function, but discuss these with your doctor first.

Is it normal to feel depressed during prednisone withdrawal?

Yes, mood changes including depression are common withdrawal symptoms. Prednisone affects brain chemistry, and your body needs time to readjust. If depression is severe or includes suicidal thoughts, seek immediate medical help.

Can I drink alcohol while tapering off prednisone?

It's best to avoid or limit alcohol during tapering. Alcohol can worsen withdrawal symptoms, interfere with sleep, and put additional stress on your liver and adrenal glands.

What if I miss a dose during tapering?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. Never double up. Contact your doctor if you're unsure how to proceed.