PMR, Prednisone, Lesson Learned?

Posted , 5 users are following.

...or not? After 22 months after diagnoses of PMR I am at 7-1/2m.

was down to 6m briefly for two weeks, but flared badly. Taper down, spent 8-1/2 weeks @8m, feeling good. Continued Eileen's taper to 7-1/2....not even a hiccup!  Do I dare wait one more week and taper to 7m? Try it?....or don't push my luck? All comments welcome.

Thank you!

0 likes, 7 replies

7 Replies

  • Posted

    If you have been on 7.5mg for four weeks and feel fine why not give it a go to 7mg? 
  • Posted

    I have been following dead slow method also.  Until I got to 7 (from 10) I stayed on the lower dose for about 10 days before another reduction.  It has been taking me longer to get down to 6.5.  If you feel well, and have felt well for more than a week, I think it's safe to try another reduction.  There is a difference between steroid withdrawal and returning pmr.  I understand that if you feel the pain right away it is possibly steroid withdrawal, which is eased the next day when you have your higher dose.  Increasing pain after a few days at a lower dose, however, will indicate the pmr is creeping back.  This is one of the benefits of dead slow method, you can encourage the body to get over the steroid withdrawal, but because the increments are so small it is easy to catch a possible flare.  
    • Posted

      Good reminders. A doctor (not my rheumatologist) said that taking around 5m is a pretty small dose...a good ""target" dose. I think Eileen has mentioned this also. Thanks!
    • Posted

      My doctor is also not terribly concerned about 5mg and below, which surprised me as she prefers natural methods over prescription whenever possible.
  • Posted

    After two years of pmr and 22 months on pred, I have learned to be very perceptive as to how close to the "edge" of dosage requirement needed to prevent symptom recurrence.

    But the dosage requirement does tend to fluctuate "on it's own", at least as far as I can discern.  I do get best result with my taper when I exercise daily, so bad weather and reduced activity can increase my dosage requirement, as can things like restaurant food and sweetened foods.

    • Posted

      I think I'm beginning to understand what you mean, Dan. Trying to taper from 7 to 6 via 6.5.  It would be easier to stay at 7 for a while longer but I'm starting to get some of the less palatable side effects of pred so want to keep sneaking down without triggering a flare.  So far, so good, although it is soooo hard to resist temptation to go too fast!
  • Posted

    Dan you are correct, exercise is very important for keeping your body moving. And Kathy, I am down to 4 mg now and doing well. I plan on doing the dead slow method so after 4 weeks at 4 mg I will alternate 3 mg one day and 4 mg the next for another month. Hopefully this will still manage my pain still..we will see.

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