PMR, RECOVERING FROM A FLARE
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I posted recently about my attempt to taper my prednisone from 7.5 daily to 5 mg. It was a disaster. I went back to 10 mg a day. How long will it take to "recover"? I was feeling pretty good before the tapering. Thanks.
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steve_1 kathy67492
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kathy67492
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Nefret kathy67492
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Once you have recovered think very carefully about the next reduction. It really can take a toll on a body which has become used to a particular dose and steroid withdrawal symptoms can be just as bad as a major flare-up. (It's hard to tell the difference at times)
Try to ensure that you choose a time when you will be able to rest for a few days following the reduction. If that doesn't solve the problem then perhaps one of the very slow reduction plans would help you. There are several versions and I'm sure that one is detailed here on this community.
kathy67492 Nefret
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mrs_k kathy67492
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Try this plan, it works for quite a few people. Reduction Plan - recommended current thinking is no more than 10% at a time.
Once down to 10mg, many people have difficulty in reducing, there can be reasons for this:
withdrawal symptoms
you are not ready to take a drop
3) the drop you are trying to take is more than 10%
The following is a way that can help you achieve the next steps.
Day 1 10mg
Day 2 9mg
Day 3 10mg
Day 4 9mg
Day 5 9mg
Day 6 10mg
Day 7 9mg
Day 8 9mg
Day 9 9mg
Day 10 10mg
Day 11 9mg
Day 12 9mg
Day 13 9mg
Day 14 9mg
Day 15 10mg
Day 16 9mg
Day 17 9mg
Day 18 9mg
Day 19 9mg
Day 20 9mg
Day 21 10mg
Day 22 9mg
Day 23 9mg
Day 24 9mg
Day 25 9mg
Day 26 9mg
Day 27 9mg
Day 28 10mg
Day 29 onwards 9mg
If at anytime the pain increases, wait two or three days, if it is still there then the drop is to soon, go back to 10mg, wait a couple of weeks and try again. If after waiting the two or three days it subsides then it was probably withdrawal symptoms.
Once stable on 9mg wait two or three weeks and then try to take the drop down to 8mg following the same pattern. You don't have to wait the two or three weeks if you think you are fine, just go straight to the next step.
Once you have got to 5mg, then the drop is 0.5mg at a time. So you need a pill cutter to split the 1mg tablet in two. Using the same pattern but this time wait at least 1 month before attempting the next drop.
Below 7.5mg is where the adrenal glands start to wake up and work but they can take up to a year to become fully functional. This is why even when off pred you have to carry the Blue Steroid Card with you which contains the date of the last dose.
kathy67492 mrs_k
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