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Prednisone Reduction - accompanied with discomfort?

Posted , 19 users are following.

gilman
gilman

When one reduces the dosage of prednisone, is there normally a slight increase in pain, stiffness, etc. that one just puts up with that eventually levels out?  I am wondering if such an increase is something to deal with or is it a sign that the decrease was inappropriate or premature.

0 likes, 28 replies

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  • Anhaga
    Anhaga gilman

    Posted

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    • gilman
      gilman Anhaga

      Posted

      Most recently when I reduced I noticed only a slight increase in discomfort which continued to increased over the next several days.  It was getting to the point where it really was bothering me so I went back to my previous dose.  It took a few days but now the pain is manageable.  I keep wondering how others feel when they decrease their dosage a bit.
    • Anhaga
      Anhaga gilman

      Posted

      Sounds like you did the right thing.  When I was first starting to taper that happened to me when I reduced from 10 to 9, and it was then I discovered this site and the DSNS method, which I've been using since.

    • margaret22251
      margaret22251 Anhaga

      Posted

      I must confess i feel this way, i have osteoarthritis in my mid foot, and shoulders nck etc, this one of the reasons my doctor thought i had pmr, the jury is still out at the rhymi tho.

      At the moment iam at 5.5 reducing to 5 and have felt awful the first few days, temple pain, and scalp pain, fingers and wrists.

      Had to have a ultrascan on wednesday, and got letter to see doc on monday so will see what they have found.

      But, i do agree with you regrading ignoring some pain and not others.

      Mags 

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy gilman

    Posted

    As Anhaga says in the first day or two the body complains that it is missing its steroid dose, but then things sort themselves out. Some people seem to be able to make much larger reductions than others. Some reduce one day then go back to the old dose the next and alternate. It is a matter of trial and error unfortunately, but you do get better at managing it as time goes by normally. If the pain continues though don't try and put up with it hoping it will go away, as the PMR will raise its ugly head and take over again, which is bad news. 

  • jo42444
    jo42444 gilman

    Posted

    The incresed pain that eventually levels off starts to appear about 2 to 3 weeks after i reduce. I dont know why it takes so long but it will level off in a couple of weeks. Also at that time I have huge problems with fatigue. Anyone who has experienced this will know there is an incredible difference between being tired and fatigue. Smaller but still bothersome are GI issues
    • reggie92967
      reggie92967 jo42444

      Posted

      I am soon glad you brought up fatigue. Something I battle almost every other day or more, no matter how much sleep I get. Like you said fatigue is not sleep deprivation, it's an animal of it's own & can be so debilitating. My docs. have very slowly reduced me to 10mg. from averaging 20mg.. Minor stiffness, body pain, soreness has returned, but not real bad. It's the fatigue that is so terrible. My good days I know I over do it & pay even more so the next day or two.

    • jo42444
      jo42444 reggie92967

      Posted

      I really feel for you. Its a horrible feeling and when it hits i head for a day or two on the sofa we have in the kitchen and spend time just keeping up with meals and resting. I have told my family that im out of comission on these days and not feeling guilty there will be better days.

      Regards Joanne

    • denisep911
      denisep911 jo42444

      Posted

      The fatigue is so debilitating. I can say that today is the 1st day I didn't have to take a 3 hr nap I always think I won't get out of it but we do

      2 steps forward and 1 step backward. ??

  • gillian82551
    gillian82551 gilman

    Posted

    According to my Doc you should feel no pain at all - a blood test will sort that out

     

    • jo42444
      jo42444 gillian82551

      Posted

      If he means you will have no pain if you dont have a raised Esr or Crp there are some people who never have raised markers. Its just one way of measuring. Most doctors according to the amount of complaints onthis site I believe dont have a decent understanding of the symptoms of this disease and how it is different for each person. I do believe after going from 20 mg to 3mg in 18 months that the pain levels will go up initially with each reduction and then subside after a period of time Joanne
    • constance.de
      constance.de gillian82551

      Posted

      Wow!!  I have had pain every day for the five years I've had PMR.  I wonder what your doctor would say to that?  We live and learn!??

  • barbara75814
    barbara75814 gilman

    Posted

    Hi, Gilman--

    Answers to this will probably vary.

    However, in my case, yes, my reductions were always accompanied by some mild discomfort for several days, after which the discomfort would disappear. I did nothing about it except wait it out each time. I didn't think the reductions were "something to deal with" or a sign that they were "inappropriate or premature."

    Others, I know, are inclined to make more of a big deal about this, and that's fine, since "each one to his own." (I forget the French words!)

    Best wishes, Barbara Y.

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