On Dead Slow Reduction
Posted , 4 users are following.
Well, I've responded to a few questions on Prednisone. Now have one of my own. After having been on 60 mg for Giant Cell Arteritis, moon face & all, I have now tapered down, over the course of about 2.5 years, to the dead slow method. I am now 1mg. one day, 3 days off and shooting for 1mg. then 4 days off. My body is aching like crazy and I'm getting some headaches which may just be withdrawal headaches, but with GCA seems one never knows. Just wondering where to go from here? Back to 2 days off? 3 days? Can't stand the thought of backing up too far.
1 like, 9 replies
EileenH anapp
Posted
If 1mg a day kept you feeling well - that is such a low dose I'd accept it happily!
It COULD be your body craving just a bit more steroid - i.e. your adrenal glands are still playing catch-up.
anapp EileenH
Posted
Yes, I guess so, but it's better to be taking no Prednisone at all and I'm going to give it my best shot. If these symptoms are just withdrawal and will go away, I'll work through them. Thanks for the reply.
jkprednisolone anapp
Posted
First of all, well done on coming down from 60 mg/day. I used to be on that amount too, but you're ahead of me. Could you just help with
1) When did come down to your current usage (3 days off)?
2) How did you feel when you were at 1 on / 2 off?
3) How long do you plan to stay at each usage ?
4) Is there any reason you want to stop steroid usage altogether or do you just want to stop taking the pills?
It takes me approx. 2 weeks to get used to a drop, just FYI.
anapp jkprednisolone
Posted
patricia04797 anapp
Posted
It sounds like you are doing really well getting down that far. I've been on steroids so long now tha if I ever get down to 1mg I think I would try 1/2mg for a few days and see how that goes. Just a thought.
Best of luck.
jkprednisolone anapp
Posted
Sounds like you just need to give it more time. As I said, it takes me 2 weeks to get used to a new dose. As I haven't got down as low as you yet, I can't compare, but I think that once I've done 1mg every other day, the next step for me will be nothing
jkprednisolone
Posted
anapp jkprednisolone
Posted
It was taking me a month or more on new doses. I did the every other day and couldn't tolerate it. Am now day 4 off for the 2nd time and keeping fingers crossed. Good luck to you. Hope you can continue to decrease til you're off..
anapp patricia04797
Posted
I've been on for about 5 years altogether. First for polymyalgia and then immediately for GCA. My rheumatologist did suggest going from one to one half but I chose the dead slow reduction. Wish you the best in getting off it. Will post if I can remain off but am optimistic at this point.