I will discuss with by doc, but wanted to hear from you sleevers.

Has anyone taken a tapering dose of prednisone? I think it can cause stomach bleeding. But wanted to know if your surgeon allows it

I've been on prednisone more times in my lifetime that any physician considers healthy. It was actually a big concern of mine going into surgery that I wouldn't be able to take steroids should I need them. My doctor said, they don't want me to take them if there's any way I don't have to, but if it comes down to me having to take it, he would prescribe it. Luckily I haven't needed to take them, my lungs have been good and my skin has been pretty well under control with topical steroids.

Yes, steroids can cause gastric ulceration just like NSAIDS. At about 10 months postop I had some neurological symptoms in my neck (I've had a previous C5-C6 fusion). My PCP wanted me on a tapering dose of pred since This is what has always helped in the past. I consulted with my surgeon's office and they said it would be fine and advised that I take omeprazole while taking the pred, which I did. I went ahead and took sucralfate as well to double protect my stomach.

Ok. Thanks. I figured I would have to take with something to protect the stomach.