I'm down to 6 mg... Finally

Many people split the dose to make the antiinflammatory effect last longer to keep symptom-free for the full 24 hours. I'm not sure it makes tapering easier.

If your longterm dose is going to be a fairly low one then the start of tapering should be quite easy - and it is for some people anyway. Everyone is different.

I think when the dose is split you have a better sense of how much inflammation is happening at the time, and then can control how much prednisone to take.  If I take a half dose at night, and wake in the morning with a little more pain then the day before, I can then take a fraction more for that morning dose.  Or if the pain is not there in the morning, I can take the same amount I took the night before.  You can "kick the tires", more frequently.  

EileenH, I have been splitting my doses since a year ago June and using the DSNS taper. I been taking my time and would do the same thing, if I had to. Before splitting morning were very bad, my problem will come when I get so low that I cannot split. That will be some time next year at the pace I am going with no more flares.

Still smiling with a positive attitude.🙂

There was a time when I split my doses. But no I'm not splitting them now. I really found no help and splitting doses. But that's me I know it helps a lot of other people to do that.

Michdonn,  Have you been getting the 1mg of prednisone?  I have, and sometimes, I even split those, or if it doesn't split evenly, I'll take a crumb.

Has anyone gotten the side effect of facial hair growth?  If I didn't have light hair, I would have to shave.  Down to 6mg, and the beard is going strong.  Will it stop growing after I'm done with the prednisone?

It should do - I had a lovely black beard at one point when I was taking methyl prednisolone! My Braun epilator came in very handy    But it is much much better now - and I'm still on steroids, just a different sort. Fine hair comes if I have to go to a higher dose but then goes away as I reduce.

Hi Patricia, I am also on 6 mg tapering to 5.5: still taking 1 mg at bedtime and the rest after breakfast. Yes, I am getting 1 mg tablets and splitting them, have not had a problem. Beard, I have had a full beard for about 50 years. Try to stay active and positive with a smile. 🙂

Hi Michdonn,  You are a man?  I assumed this was mostly a female disease, but I guess I was wrong.

Always active, but have to admit, not always a smile.

Thanks Patricia, yes I am one the man who have PMR, you girls can't have all the fun. I enjoy playing Santa Claus for the children, with my now white beard. Last year a young girl 3 or 4 stop and asked," Santa where are the Reindeer"? To which I replied" oh they're in the barn, they have a very busy night tonight!" She answered "yes I know'. And skied off. A great day. Thinking positive, staying active with a smile. 🙂

Michdonn,  I am glad we can spread the joy to the opposite sex.  You are lucky you found a doctor who could diagnose your condition.  It's hard enough for them to say, PMR to women, when there is no real test for it.

Thinking about letting my beard grow out now for Christmas, after hearing your story.

The ratio is about 2 or 3 women to 1 man - so about a third are male. This forum actually has quite a few men realtively speaking, it always has done.

Hi All,

I'm wondering if anyone has had toenail pain and numbness, just at night? I'm thinking maybe it's the PMR, or one of the dreaded side effects of the medications.

Not something I have ever heard - JUST toenails? How strange.

Patricia, I have had a beard for about 50 years. My wife has never seen me without a beard. So i don't think i will shave now. For the past 7 or 8 years i have been playing Santa, last i skied with children at the local ski area, the children loved it and I had a great time.

Mow what could be better than that.

Think positive, staying active with a smile. 🙂