Toxoplasmosis

[lola200677]

This may not be the right forum but I'm trying several in search for some desperately needed advice on prednisolone.
I had toxoplasmosis when I was 17 and took prednisone for three months then tapered off without any worries.

It has recently returned as it's a dormant condition. I have been required to be on prednisone for a month and a half - first as 500mg injectable forms x three days and then at 50 mg for 7 days then 40 for 7 days and so on until I taper through the month until I'm at 5mg for 7 days then stop. Is this a too short taper? Has anyone else experienced this?
My main side effects are mental - depression mostly and some insomnia (as well as gastro issues but I also take antibiotics too and the relevant vit D and calcium too)

Can anyone help me reassure me that I have not been on them so long that when my tapering to 5mg is not a nightmare and anything else I may need to be aware of?
I'm very depressed. I refuse to take antidepressants as iv taken them for years in the past and they did nothing for me (tried many) so that's not an option.

Please if anyone has any insight is appreciate it massively.
Jeanne xxx

[mkh9]

Okay. That sounds good. I was worried about the steroids. I'm glad you have a plan for keeping the toxo in check.
take care!
mkh9

[lola200677]

Hi
Sorry for the late reply and thanks for your comments. I am on antibiotics (sulfadiazine for toxoplasmosis specifically) and clindamycin along with the steroids. Iv had toxoplasmosis before and they treated me with the same protocol of meds. My lowered immune system was brought on by myself unfortunately, but that's a different story! Lol I am almost off the steroids now so far so good. They can't actually treat the toxoplasmosis. I'll have it for life but when it re-activates as it has recently they just have to treat it by making it dormant again. I guess I need to look after my health better and try to keep my immune system boosted.

[mkh9]

Lola200677, we are not doctors on these forums. I am a microbiologist and can try to give you some advice. So are you saying your toxoplasmosis came back? It is now in a dormant state? So you are taking predisone for it? Why are you not taking an anti-parasitic drug for it? Usually you don't get a relapse unless you have a lowered immunity. I don't understand why you are on a steroid?

Being on a steroid too long can cause depression among other things. It is used to lower inflammation. I would see an infectious disease doctor if you are not and try to get retreated for the parasitic infection and get off the steroid. But I would do this under a doctors supervision. Make sure you tell them you are getting depressed by the steroid and you need help getting off of it. You can tell them you don't want to go on antidepressants. Maybe they have other alternatives that you can take temporarily.

mkh9