Is it flair due to Tapering?
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi. I have gone down from 15 mg pred. (took for 15 mg for 2 months) to 12,5 mg one month ago. First 2 weeks went fine, then the tiredness sneaked in on my and my son started to tell me that I looked tired. I then got pain in my muscles 2 hours after using them, and the feeling of being flu-like ill in the morning and heavy summing discomfort in arms and legs when I go to bed. I even noticed that I have stiff hands (again), when opening the door with keys. Is this a flair or is it due to tapering? I took 15 mg a couple a days ago and it really helped. I stopped the VERY little exercise I do with a therapist, and try to do less.
So how much discomfort should I cope with during tapering? I have begun to work after 1 ½ year, and this will be difficult in the present state - any advice?
0 likes, 4 replies
EileenH krillemy
Posted
It sounds to me as if 13mg would be your right dose at present - because it took 2 weeks for the inflammation to be enough to cause symptoms. Even that 1/2mg too little is enough to mount up over a few weeks. It doesn't mean you won't get lower, just not yet.
Your guideline is what you achieved at 15mg - you are looking for the lowest dose that provides the same result. You shouldn't feel worse at the end of a taper step than you did at the beginning and no step down should be more than 10% of the current dose - otherwise you risk missing the dose you need and causing an unnecessary flare and also developing steroid withdrawal as your body adjusts to the new dose. Small changes in dose couple with a slowed taper really does avoid problems.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/reducing-pred-dead-slow-and-nearly-stop-method-531439
When did you go back to work? When you work you often need more pred than if you don't - lots more activity and less opportunity to rest.
Anhaga krillemy
Posted
I know you don't want to do it, but you really must continue to get exercise. I don't mean heavy duty going to the gym or playing a fast team sport or anything like that. But please try to have a walk, if you can, every day in the open air, and if you normally do gentle exercise like simple yoga, or similar, please carry on as you are able. Pred is not good for our muscles and it's important to maintain what tone you have. If a twenty minute walk is too much, do ten, if ten is too much, do five. Or find a way you can walk for five minutes, rest, and then return home for a second five minutes.
ptolemy krillemy
Posted
I think rule of thumb is when you reduce, if you get pain in the first day or two it tends to be pred withdrawal, so you should be able to carry on. If you start having problems in a couple of weeks it tends to be you are reducing too fast and need to increase a bit.
Michdonn krillemy
Posted
krillemy, we are all different, but for me I do not taper if I have any PMR pain. I try to reduce by 10% or less and use the DSNS method. It is not a race, you want to get through this with the least amount of discomfort. Good luck on the rest of your PMR journey. 🙂 try to stay active, positive and smile. It helps !