› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Reducing Prednisone while taking Yervoy – How quick did you reduce dosage?
- This topic has 15 replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 1 month ago by
Colleen66.
- Post
-
- March 11, 2013 at 12:00 am
First Thanks to those that responded to a previous post about Yervoy reaction. AS stated make sure your Doctor knows Yervoy. My wife suffered because the doctor we used was not experienced. I gained more knowledge her than my wives doctor knew about Yervoy. Thanks to all who educated me on Prednisone, Endicott, Remicade. Great help.
First Thanks to those that responded to a previous post about Yervoy reaction. AS stated make sure your Doctor knows Yervoy. My wife suffered because the doctor we used was not experienced. I gained more knowledge her than my wives doctor knew about Yervoy. Thanks to all who educated me on Prednisone, Endicott, Remicade. Great help.
My question for those that have taken high doses of Prednisone 80 to 100 mg. how fast were you able to reduce in order to resume Yervoy treatment? I have been told it needs to be reduced below 10MG to get a dose. My wife went to 80mg to settle her reaction to Yervoy first dose. How fast has anyone reduced after stable reaction.
Thanks,
Daniel
- Replies
-
-
- March 11, 2013 at 12:20 am
Hi Daniel,
I don’t know the tapering schedule for that high a dose. I was sent home from the hospital on 20 or 30 mg. then developed adrenal insufficiency due to all the pred I had taken, which can happen. Ironically, the treatment for that was low doses of hydrocortisone.
I was not given my fourth dose of Yervoy, much to my immense disappointment, which I got over rather quickly upon learning how severe my colitis had been. When I was able to taper, it was by 5 mg. every 3-4 days, which I understand is a fast taper.
Your wife’s melanoma/Yervoy expert will need to determine her taper schedule and she’ll need to be monitored carefully during that time. Only then will that onc be able to determine if and when your wife will receive her next dose.
Please keep us posted,
Karen -
- March 11, 2013 at 12:20 am
Hi Daniel,
I don’t know the tapering schedule for that high a dose. I was sent home from the hospital on 20 or 30 mg. then developed adrenal insufficiency due to all the pred I had taken, which can happen. Ironically, the treatment for that was low doses of hydrocortisone.
I was not given my fourth dose of Yervoy, much to my immense disappointment, which I got over rather quickly upon learning how severe my colitis had been. When I was able to taper, it was by 5 mg. every 3-4 days, which I understand is a fast taper.
Your wife’s melanoma/Yervoy expert will need to determine her taper schedule and she’ll need to be monitored carefully during that time. Only then will that onc be able to determine if and when your wife will receive her next dose.
Please keep us posted,
Karen -
- March 11, 2013 at 12:20 am
Hi Daniel,
I don’t know the tapering schedule for that high a dose. I was sent home from the hospital on 20 or 30 mg. then developed adrenal insufficiency due to all the pred I had taken, which can happen. Ironically, the treatment for that was low doses of hydrocortisone.
I was not given my fourth dose of Yervoy, much to my immense disappointment, which I got over rather quickly upon learning how severe my colitis had been. When I was able to taper, it was by 5 mg. every 3-4 days, which I understand is a fast taper.
Your wife’s melanoma/Yervoy expert will need to determine her taper schedule and she’ll need to be monitored carefully during that time. Only then will that onc be able to determine if and when your wife will receive her next dose.
Please keep us posted,
Karen -
- March 11, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Daniel,
I had pituitary surgery to remove a tumor causing Cushing's disease. I was sent home on replacement hydrocortisone (similar to prednisone but on different dosages). Your wife might be able to handle the 10mg taper, but I wouldn't do it more often than every three – four days. Be very aware of the signs of adrenal insufficiency, because that can quickly turn into an adrenal crisis which can be life threatening. If your wife develops body aches (like the flu), cognitive issues, vomiting, diahhrea, or headaches she has tapered too fast. Go back up to the previous dosage, then reduce the next day by 1/2 the taper.
Good luck!
-
- March 12, 2013 at 4:45 am
Casa, if your adrenal insufficiency continues or should turn to full Addison's Disease, you need to carry an emergency shot kit loaded with 100mg corticosteroid. If run down or really stressed you need to stress dose, usually at least 2x normal doing for 3 days. You endocrinologist can give you you specific dosing. My Hubs just went thru an adrenal crisis and was treated in the er successfully. Keep reading up.
Good luck to you.
Colleen
-
- March 12, 2013 at 4:45 am
Casa, if your adrenal insufficiency continues or should turn to full Addison's Disease, you need to carry an emergency shot kit loaded with 100mg corticosteroid. If run down or really stressed you need to stress dose, usually at least 2x normal doing for 3 days. You endocrinologist can give you you specific dosing. My Hubs just went thru an adrenal crisis and was treated in the er successfully. Keep reading up.
Good luck to you.
Colleen
-
- March 12, 2013 at 4:45 am
Casa, if your adrenal insufficiency continues or should turn to full Addison's Disease, you need to carry an emergency shot kit loaded with 100mg corticosteroid. If run down or really stressed you need to stress dose, usually at least 2x normal doing for 3 days. You endocrinologist can give you you specific dosing. My Hubs just went thru an adrenal crisis and was treated in the er successfully. Keep reading up.
Good luck to you.
Colleen
-
- March 11, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Daniel,
I had pituitary surgery to remove a tumor causing Cushing's disease. I was sent home on replacement hydrocortisone (similar to prednisone but on different dosages). Your wife might be able to handle the 10mg taper, but I wouldn't do it more often than every three – four days. Be very aware of the signs of adrenal insufficiency, because that can quickly turn into an adrenal crisis which can be life threatening. If your wife develops body aches (like the flu), cognitive issues, vomiting, diahhrea, or headaches she has tapered too fast. Go back up to the previous dosage, then reduce the next day by 1/2 the taper.
Good luck!
-
- March 11, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Daniel,
I had pituitary surgery to remove a tumor causing Cushing's disease. I was sent home on replacement hydrocortisone (similar to prednisone but on different dosages). Your wife might be able to handle the 10mg taper, but I wouldn't do it more often than every three – four days. Be very aware of the signs of adrenal insufficiency, because that can quickly turn into an adrenal crisis which can be life threatening. If your wife develops body aches (like the flu), cognitive issues, vomiting, diahhrea, or headaches she has tapered too fast. Go back up to the previous dosage, then reduce the next day by 1/2 the taper.
Good luck!
-
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.