This Is Just Too Funny: Prednisone Puncline

From drugs.com, the following are side effects of prednisone that require immediate medical attention.

For some reason, this makes me laugh. Not in a good way though. I'll bold all the symptoms I have just for fun.

"Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Prednisone:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); appetite loss; black, tarry stools; changes in menstrual periods convulsions; depression; diarrhea; dizziness; exaggerated sense of well-being; fever; general body discomfort; headache; increased pressure in the eye; joint or muscle pain; mood swings; muscle weakness; personality changes; prolonged sore throat, cold, or fever; puffing of the face; severe nausea or vomiting; swelling of feet or legs; unusual weight gain; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds; weakness; weight loss."

Source

Do you think ANY of the doctors who have SEEN me thus far have read this? I have brought it up, it's not like I've been sitting silently (although I didn't start googling until now). If I can breathe I speak up.

No one is listening. Again, this makes me laugh. Again, not in a good way. I just don't know what else to do. Cry? Nah.

And from medicine net we have...

(ignore the hyperlinks, they aren't mine)

What are steroid withdrawal symptoms?

Steroid withdrawal symptoms can mimic many other medical problems. Weakness, fatigue, decreased appetite, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (which can lead to fluid and electrolyte abnormalities), and abdominal pain are common. Blood pressure can become too low, leading to dizziness or fainting. Blood sugar levels may drop. Women also may note menstrual changes. Less often, joint pain, muscle aches, fever, mental changes, or elevations of calcium may be noted. Decrease in gastrointestinal contractions can occur, leading to dilation of the intestine (ileus).

Source

The University of Cincinnati shares...

"Common signs and symptoms of too rapid tapering of prednisone and other glucocorticoids include:

• headache
• dizziness
• fainting
• fatigue
• lethargy
• muscle pain
• joint pain
• shortness of breath
• low blood pressure
• nausea
• vomiting
• anorexia
• weight loss
• fever
• and low blood sugar."

Source

I have no idea what the hell is wrong with me, but my spidey sense says prednisone + PCOS = Not Good.

It's a good thing I finally put 2 and 2 together in the ER. NOW the question is WHAT to do about it over the weekend? Continue the taper and hope this is just a rough spot? Take some every day until I can talk to the pulmonologist (who I called today and left a message for)?

I am leaning toward going back to daily use for the weekend because I have to drive tomorrow. I don't want to kill myself or anyone else.

At least I know why the ER missed it--they use 5 day bursts almost exclusively. I don't think they see people like me who use it longer and are sensitive to it. They checked my cortisol at like 2pm on a day when I've taken prednisone which is pretty useless. They were trying, but what I really needed was someone to figure out a new taper.

Lacking the pulmonologist's expertise, my vote would be to go to 5mg for a week and then try to alternate days. Or even go to 2.5mg to be really gentle. Maybe that would do the trick.

I really really really DO NOT WANT CUSHINGS EVER AGAIN. Thank You.