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1/2 mg decrease!

Posted , 14 users are following.

constance.de
constance.de

I am amazed how 1/2 mg decrease can make so much difference.  I was on 3 1/2 mg for three weeks so I decided to go down to 3 mg - wow!  Something has hit me big time, terrific fatigue, weak, more pain - I can't believe it.

?????

0 likes, 123 replies

123 Replies

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  • Guest
    Guest constance.de

    Posted

    Do you use the DSNS method? For me that was the big difference for tapering down in a safer way.
  • EileenH
    EileenH constance.de

    Posted

    I wrote a post on here many years ago now about how much difference 1/2mg can make! 

    Your adrenal function also has to change. Not being rude - but at your age almost everyone has some degree of adrenal insufficiency and even 1/2mg will make a difference if your adrenals aren't up to speed. And those are typical symptoms.

    • constance.de
      constance.de EileenH

      Posted

      I wouldn't care if you WERE being rude - I'm just pleased to be at least this healthy at my age.😀

    • linda17563
      linda17563 constance.de

      Posted

      Have experienced the same with .5mg drop...wish I could do .25!...just snipping for a half isn`t easy.......I always dread lowering the dose because over last five years when I get to 9mg big problems even with slow method, but I will try and stay at the lower dose longer this time maybe that`s the answer!.......
    • sandy08116
      sandy08116 EileenH

      Posted

      This is what I was told as well, Eileen. Each month there is a drop of 2mg followed by a short period of 'suffering'. Par for the course.

    • EileenH
      EileenH sandy08116

      Posted

      That is NOT par for the course - though of course that may be case for that doctor's patients! Even reducing 1mg every 2 weeks reduces the "suffering" period for the vast majority of patients. Using the slow approaches we tout on all the forums - 2 of them developed as the result of patient experiences and now being used by quite a few rheumies as well as in a clinical study in Leeds - the majority of patients reduce steadily to their target (the lowest dose that manages the symptoms as well as the starting dose) without discomfort due to steroid withdrawal and without flares.

    • sandy08116
      sandy08116 Michdonn

      Posted

      Monthly reduction. Currently on 8mg, then 6, then 4. When more monitoring by rheumatologist at hospital will confirm if further drop is ok.
    • Michdonn
      Michdonn sandy08116

      Posted

      Sandy08116, I had just reduce to7mg from 8mg when my flare

      occurred. I won't be doing over 10% myself.

  • karenjaninaz
    karenjaninaz constance.de

    Posted

    I have been using the snail method with 1/4mg drops. Just now going from 91/4 down to 9. I sometimes really bizarre, tired, dizzy and out of sorts but no real pain. Right hip on the stiff side.
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