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prednisone reduction

Posted , 13 users are following.

flydog
flydog

Hi all,

I have reduced my pred  dosage to 3mg, I visited my gp, and with the results of my blood test  she suggested that I reduce to 2.5mg and to stay on that dosage, she has put this dosage on repeat prescription, and is quite happy not to see me again on a regular basis, if I suspect a flare up is on its way I have to have a blood test straight away, then make an appointment  to see her.

My question is do stay on 2.5mg or do I try to reduce futher??.

0 likes, 21 replies

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  • Charko
    Charko flydog

    Posted

    Hello Eileen H, (dear whomever you are!).. Just want to say how much I appreciate your upbeat replies to us all and the informative and educated information you give.  You are the voice of authority in the UK.  My Rheumy is beginning to think I have RA and not PMR... wot say you?  Why are the two so connected?  I presume there is a definitive blood test to determine which, right?  I hiked 5 miles in the back country of the hills of LB today up hill and down dale in a foggy dew but I am now exhaust and need to eat dinner and go to bed.  As I write it is 6 PM in Southern California.  Cheers, Charlotte

    PS I am on 2 mgs of Pred daily, daily, daily... and Ibuprofen is my friend - 400mgs (2 pills) twice a week when I am hurting more bad.  Is that OK?

    • EileenH
      EileenH Charko

      Posted

      First of all I'd say that 3mgs of pred might be better than 2 + ibuprofen - it isn't recommended to mix pred and NSAIDs because of the risk of stomach irritation. Though at 2mg pred that should be a very small risk if you just use the ibuprofen twice a week and no more.

      Why does he think RA instead of PMR? I suppose in one way you could say that PMR is RA without the joint destruction - so obviously rather preferable. On the other hand, the only drug for PMR is pred, RA has a whole load of different things that can be used that may stop disease progression and provide pain relief. And no, no definitive blood tests for either.

      If you can hike 5 miles in back country and with hills on 2mg I'd say you were doing pretty well and if there is no sign of joint damage to really suggest RA I'd ask to stick rather than twist...

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