When a person takes steroids, such as prednisone, their body may stop producing its own natural supply of cortisol, a hormone that helps regulate the body's response to stress. If the dosage of steroids is not gradually reduced over time, the body may not have enough time to resume its normal production of cortisol, leading to a condition known as adrenal insufficiency. This can cause a range of symptoms, including severe fatigue, body aches, nausea, and low blood pressure. In some cases, the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency can be life-threatening.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to gradually taper off the dosage of steroids over a period of days, weeks, or months. The tapering schedule will depend on the individual's disease, the dose and duration of use, and other medical considerations. It can take a week to several months for a person to fully recover from the effects of steroid use. If a person experiences symptoms of adrenal insufficiency or other complications during the tapering process, they should contact their doctor immediately.