Stopped Medrol Pack Early

Updated

I went to the ER on Christmas due to an unknown allergic reaction to some sort of food I ate. After all was said and done, I was given a prescription for a 4mg Medrol dose pack, one for benadryl and one for zantac (explained to me as a catalyst for the other two medications). I continued dosage as instructed through the third day. The fourth day, I took the before breakfast dose and none others. The entire time on the medrol, I had EXTREME (6 bottles of water in 2 hours) thirst, woke up several times a night to urinate, elevated bp and heart rate. I was anxious, wired, my chest was tight, my face was burning red, I was sweating significantly more than normal, and my personality was gone. I said maybe 20 words total the days I was on it, and my brain felt empty. It was very hard to concentrate and my thoughts were all cloudy. All lights were blurry to me as well.

I do not have a gp and didn't have a doctor I can call, so I called 3 different pharmacists. I explained the situation to all of them and was told by two that I could discontinue the pack with small likelihood of problems. The third was a little hesitant but said there would be no life threatening results.

This would be day 5 of the medrol; my last dosage was before breakfast yesterday. I am definitely clear headed and my personality is back. I am not experiencing the extreme thirst, redness or anything else. I am, however, very anxious. I have done plenty of research telling me the necessity of tempering this medication and despite speaking to the pharmacists, would like your opinion.

Are there possible effects from stopping a short/low dosage like this one? Any signs I should look out for? If so, should I resume taking if they appear? Or am I just being paranoid?

Thanks for all your help.

18 Replies

Earliest Newest Votes
1

Update: I was a little anxious and lethargic for a day but I feel fine now. Mild headache at points.. not sure if it's related or not. Is Tylenol or ibuprofen ok to take?

I have noticed symptoms of a yeast infection, however, and would like to know if this should be cause for concern in case the medrol weakened my system? It doesn't seem likely due to my short duration on it, but I feel compelled to ask.
If so, is the typically prescribed fluconazol 150mg ok to take? Any potential interactions or concerns? I used to get them frequently and was prescribed it in case of recurrence (so I have one on hand).

Sorry for all of the questions. I prefer to be well informed and my Dr didn't even tell me about the side effects when he prescribed medrol...so I prefer to ask someone else.

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2

Hello, Sara! How are you?

The symptoms you've described are all normal side effects of taking steroids, as listed by the FDA. They can be inconvenient, but are transient and usually go away, shortly after you finish your course of treatment with it.

Stopping one abruptly can cause withdrawal symptoms, such as severe fatigue, weakness, body aches and joint pain, because while taking it, your adrenal gland decreases its natural cortisol production and it takes a bit for them to return to normal, which is why this medication is usually tapered.

At this point, if you've been off of it for awhile, you are most likely out of the woods, but it would be best to check in with your doctor to be sure.

Is there anything else I can help with?

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3

Thanks for your help.

Feelings of intense nausea and occasional dizziness have persisted. I havent been able to keep anything down and have had fatigue, headaches and diarrhea. I went to urgent care and was advised to return to the ED doctor that prescribed me the medrol. Wouldn't recommend this medication without being informed of side effects.

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4

Sadly, most doctors don't actually know the side effects of the medications they prescribe. They may be familiar with the most common ones, but they don't actually study medications in depth like pharmacists do.

Thus, your best way to get information on any medication you're prescribed is via your pharmacist, by doing your own research on it, or by asking here.

Have things improved, at all?

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5

I also had horrible nausea and things spinning I had to be still with my eyes closed to stop heaving, I stopped taking medrol after 1 1/2 days and now 2 days later still have waves of nausea and light headiness also a feeling of being out of it. How long will it take to get out of my system and feel normal?

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6

I was back to normal around 3 days after I stopped using it. Good luck :)

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7

I'm going through this right now I'm just dizzy with anxiety, headache just feel lousy. I had the 5 day pack for gout but i had to stop after 2.5 days it caused me way too much anxiety and shallow breathing, unfortunately it was working for the gout but i had to stop
i think the body just needs a day or two to recalibrate

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8

I just started taking the 4mg methyprednisone dose pack yesterday. I was up all night long.only slept 2 hours last night. I been getting bad headaches and my heart won't stop racing, it's so uncomfortable that I can't take it. Can I stop taking them, I don't want to take them another day?

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9

Mamita, how are you doing now? Did you stop early?

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10

I had uper and lower eyelid plus forhead lift.i been having an allergy reaction yo the steaches and i been on an off with medropack in a petiod if 5 months i probably tiol 3 packs.i dont feel any side effects. Can these doses hurt me or is ok?

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11

You had side affects from the M Pak.
I was given same does regiment. Same symptoms, and also agitated. My pharmist told me what might happen. She was right. I'm going to my doctor tomorrow, because Im not fully recovered.
I don't like the side affects of this M Pak. I've heard that doctors sometimes prescribe Broad span Antibiotic, if M Pak didn't cure up sinus, ear fluid, and headaches. I'm also a (Migraine sufferer)
The inflammation is better, but now I have a cough.

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12


I was given same 4 M dose pac, followed 6 day regiment. I had the Same symptoms, and also felt agitated. My pharmist told me what might happen. She was right. I'm going to my doctor tomorrow, because Im not fully recovered.
I don't like the side affects of this M Pak. I've heard that doctors sometimes prescribe Broad Span Antibiotic, if M Pak didn't cure up sinus, ear fluid, and headaches. I'm also a (Migraine sufferer)
The inflammation is better, but now I have a cough.

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13

I was given a dose pack October of 2016. Sevens months later, I am still dealing with sideas effects!! I had every one, except psychosis, and even got extremely sensitive to almost all foods, causing reactions, for 6 months. I've lost over 25 pounds in two months. Just this last month I have been able to eat, but still dealing with some reactions. It had also put me into full menopause. All that, and I didn't even finish the pack. I will NEVER take this again. It is listed as not to take due to severe, long term, side effects!

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14

I took a steroid pack (methyl_predisone), 6 days at ,24mg. That's all I took , I was fine on the medicine no problems. Its, about midnight & early Thursday morning. The last one I took was Tues morning. I feel anxiety, clammy, back hurts , urinating alot , dizzy, legs hurt, just feel terrible, joints hurt& feel crazy. I started to feel bad last night but it went away and didn't start back until to night. Is this gonna end , this sucks! I'm on robaxin to.

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15

Is it safe to take a medrol pak that's a year old?

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16

Re: Verwon (# 2) Expand Referenced Message

How long does the withdraw last. I had a panic attack thinking I was having an allergic reaction again. I woke up with anxiety,dizziness and nausea. The Dr did not go over side effects.

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17

I just went on medrol dosepak 4 mg and ive had a headache for 4 days straight how do i wean myself off the medrol please help

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18

Re: Sara S (# 1) Expand Referenced Message

So glad that you posted this. I was on the 5 day medrol pack. Finished the entire prescription. 2 days after stopping I felt light-headed, sort of foggy, shaky, couldn’t concentrate and extremely anxious. Went to the ER for a complete workup and they found everything normal. One week later I still have those symptoms on and off and finally realize it’s probably due to the steroid. I can’t wait until it’s totally gone from my system.

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