How Long Do Withdrawal Symptoms Of Prednisone Last?

Posted on Sun, 24 Jan 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 24 Jan 2016 Answered on

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am having troubles with weakness in my legs. Originally this was thought to be a problem with an allergic reaction to statins and I was put on prednisone which did clear it up. However when I go off the prednisone the problem returns. I am normally an active walker and walk 4-5 miles/day. I can barely walk 1/2 mile now. My leg muscles feel all knotted up by that point. They have done a variety of blood tests which found nothing other then a low white blood cell count. I do also get a variety of joint pains that disappear with the prednisone.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
need to see a rheumatologist and or neurologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
I am sorry that you are having this difficulty. The problem with steroids like prednisone is that they definitely make things feel better but they have a lot of side effects if you have to take them long-term.
After reading your note my concerns are that you have something like polymyalgia rheumatica and autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness. This would best be diagnosed and treated by a rheumatologist.
If that is not the problem then seeing a neurologist to get nerve and muscle conduction studies would be a good idea.
You may end up needing to take prednisone long-term for one of these problems but you want to get a firm diagnosis before you commit yourself to a long term use of steroids.
I hope you get an answer soon.
Dr. Robinson

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar