Feeling really out of sorts

Mitch, I really cannot call it PMR pain - maybe niggles. PMR pain I understand isn't really helped by a small dose of Tylenol but aches from exercise are. 

Simultaneously I just finished my last higher dose of Symbicort.; it didn't really help my reactive airway disease but made my eyes so dry nothing helped. I am on the lower dose of that. But that's a steroid as well and when I lowered that I did notice increases breathing issues. So herd to tell. 

I decided to go back up to 8.75 for 3 days and see if there is a difference. Then: how lond and how to reduce from that or go back to trying 8.25. I am very sensitive to tiny dose adjustments form the beginning.

Thanks, Eileen. I raised the dose today to 8.75. The symbicort comes in 2 strengths. I tapered that to the lower strength over about 3 months by substituting the lower doses puffer for the higher ones until all 4 puffs were the lower strength. Today my breathing is not affected now that I am stabilized at the lower dose.,

A steroid is a steroid isn’t it?

If I find the 83/4 is good - after awhile do I start all over tapering or do I go down over a few days to 8.25? 

I'd taper - things have changed so you don't REALLY know where you will need to be. Sorry - I know that isn't what you want to hear is it?

Ken, what do you mean?

I do not have asthma; I have reactive airway disease. This was an attempt to help. The bronchodilator did help some. There is a case report where a lady with the same problem, as I, had her disease reversed with higher blood levels Vit D. I definitely am improved that is why I came down on the symbicort to the lowest strength. 

I will attempt to come off when I am on a low pred dose. I can just handle so much.

I am working on this with my pulmonary.

Exactly.  Don't attempt to taper two different meds at the same time.  Mid 8s isn't terribly high, so maybe hang out there for a little while until you are sure you've dealt well with the Symbicort reduction.  Best wishes, hope you feel better soon. 

Good point, Anhaga.

The pulmonary docs do not stress any systemic effects from inhaled steroids. 

I do feel better today than yesterday. 

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond.

Sometimes a few days of 10mg and then drop back to just above the old dose works better. Trial and error - unfortunately.

I’ll try it; I want to feel well.

Right now I’m making stollen.

I do like stollen. A couple of years ago a local shop had stollen made with spelt flour - which I could eat without guilt. Unfortunately I can't be bothered just for me - himself doesn't eat it!

Looks like the 10mg did the trick. Is 4 Days “a few days”? 

I though before I go back to 8.75 I do a transition 9 day?

My internist concurred  that tapering the Symbicort at the same time as the pred contributed to my symptoms.

If all the pain has gone, give it another couple of days and then think about dropping - but don't be in a hurry. Christmas is coming...

karenjaninaz, I would not taper with that large an increase. If you feel good after 3 days, wait one more day and taper to 9 mg, then start a DSNS taper. I am at 11 tapering to 10 using a 5-1 DSNS taper method. Good luck on the rest of your journey, think positive and try to smile. Smiling 🙂

Hi Mitch,

I’ve completed 5 Days on 10 and feel really well.

In going down from here down to 8.75 where I was Ok until I reduced symbicort then went to 10 any ideas of a good taper pattern . I was using dns technique 1/4 at a time .

I have PMR for 2 yrs age 75.

I am using a modified DSMS method and have been since 25 mg. Presently 5 to 1, when I go under 10, I will use 6 to 1 method. I really like the DSNS method to taper.

Mitch, what’s 5-1 ?  5 Days old one day new then 4-1, 3-1.

I always used the snail method  since the beginning since I have always been afraid of going too fast. The rheumi hadn’t drop too soon and too much in the beginning- only from 15 mind you but I felt terrible and got skittish. 🙃

Correction: had me drop too quickly.

karenjaninaz, yes 5 old, 1 new etc, it seems to me that all Rheumys want to taper too quickly. I am taking my time and my supplements and hopefully will be skiing soon.

Thinking positive with a smile. :-) good luck on your journey. :-)