Pericarditis and prednisone

Posted By Karen on December 18, 1998 at 09:44:41:







I am a white female age 57 in general good health except I have GERD and Pericarditis.
I was diagnosed with ideopathic pericarditis about five years ago.I was tested for everything
and nothing else was present then and nothing new has appeared since. I am
under regular medical supervison. I am trying to get off prednisone. This seems to be more of an art than a science.I take three mg per day but felt better at 3.5 mg per day.
I understand I am not producing my own steroids. I also understand the body produces
about 5-8mg per day naturally. But this production stops when on prednisone.
Am I producing any natural steroids while I am on 3 mg per day of Prednisone?
If not then I have to get off of Prednisone or increase the amount until I
fell well. I taper very very slowly and return to the previous level if a feel a
fair up coming. I seem to have hit a wall.
I read about Alternate Day Therapy as a way of getting off prednisone and starting the
adrenal gland at the same time.
Do you have any knowledge or experience with this aproach?
Can you suggest another way to remove Prednisone from my life?
Is my Adrenal gland working now?
Thank you for your help, I await you answer.