Pred withdrawal??
Posted , 13 users are following.
Hi,
I'm not very good at finding info from previous posts so forgive me for asking, yet again, an often asked question.
Are the symptoms of withdrawal the same as the symptoms of PMR itself? If so, how does one know the difference? If they are, what is the science behind it.
Are there any informative papers about withdrawal?
I am assuming that because my symptoms are the same as my original, only less severe, that it is PMR I am feeling and that my steroid level is just not quite high enough?
As you can tell, I'm just a little confused!!! - nothing new there
Thank you
0 likes, 3 replies
alebeau lbh
Posted
Yes
I have had several withdrawals and the pain is the same due to the higher levels of C Reactive Protein and ESR in the blood. I have monthly blood work to monitor those two markers.
Increasing the Prednisone is the only solution then starting the reduction all over again but this time at a slower rate
Good luck
EileenH lbh
Posted
A flare is just a return of the original symptoms, though sometimes people get more variety. It is basically being on too low a dose of pred - so can happen if you reduce too far/too fast or because the disease activity increases,
nick67069 lbh
Posted
Yes, the pain is the same as PMR, so how to tell the difference?
Pred withdrawal will happen soon after you start taper and will slowly get better over time.
Flare -If you have gone too low on your dose, symptoms usually start week or two after the taper and gradually get worse over time. If you don't correct the dose, it could progress into full flare.