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Question regarding temporarily upping prednisone

Posted , 12 users are following.

barb30898
barb30898

2 months ago, i began infusing immunoglobulins, on a weekly basis to buildup my immune system

my reactions for 5 of the 7 days following each infusion, vaguely reminded me of my old PMR symptoms.

although i have not had a flare up, in ,at least 3 years, i still take 1/2 mg, every day. in the past, i have gone to 0mg, and had flare ups, and, due to health issues, have not tried,again, to go off pred, reasoning to myself that it is such a low dosage, and i'll take care of that, later.

AFTER 4 weeks on immuoglobulins, with pains in stomach, leg aches,nausea,headaches, general malaise,i stopped MEDS on doctors orders.

i have been under self created stress, sold house that i loved, general malaise from meds, had to drive over 1000 miles, to temporarily settle in my daughter's apartment. etc.

i decided to up the prednisone, to 2 1/2 mg, and after 2 days, am feeling much better.

finally, the question:

when should i start to lower the dose, back to 1/2mg, and, am i able to do it within a short time?

Thanks for any helpful feedback.

BARB

0 likes, 13 replies

13 Replies

  • janet06653
    janet06653 barb30898

    Posted

    I have found that the amount of stress in my life greatly influences my disease. For myself it takes a couple of months to get over the effects of the additional stress. Talk to your DR and get regular blood work done to make sure you are ready to reduce the meds. BE SAFE.

    • Elijo
      Elijo janet06653

      Posted

      Sorry, but I personally do not think the blood work often is a good gauge to judge how much prednisone you need. Mine was never very high even in the beginning when I was in such dire discomfort. Trial and error works; doctors want you off the pred. ASAP and do not know how PMR feels! I don't think Barb should cut her dose for a while, too much stress. Give yourself plenty of time, especially since taking such a low dose.

    • barb30898
      barb30898 janet06653

      Posted

      thanks to janet and Elijo for reminding me of the huge part stress plays.

      in PMR

      Until last week, i lived in an area, devoid of rheumatologists.

      i now will be able to locate an appropriate doctor.

      thanks for your helpful feedback

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy janet06653

      Posted

      I agree with Elijo, it is how you feel not what your blood tests say that is really important. My CRP is currently 82, but I do not have PMR problems. My GP has tried to find out why, but has now decided that I tend to have high inflammation counters normally. I am not sure he is right but I think the problem is he has not got a clue!

  • ina0821
    ina0821 barb30898

    Posted

    Does 1/2mg prednisone truly do that much good at this point after 3 years? also what does a small dose 2mg or lower do to the body long term?

    • nick67069
      nick67069 ina0821

      Posted

      1/2mg does make a difference. As far as long term impact, there was a discussion on different site about exact subject and the answer is that low dose of 5mg or less has negligent impact long term because it is below the normal dose that body produces anyway. Our body senses how much cortisol we have in the system and only makes more if it needs . Typically we need about 7.5mg /day . Only excess prednisone above normal body production may have negative long term impact ( above 10mg).

  • nick67069
    nick67069 barb30898

    Posted

    If you increased the dose for just few days you don't have to tapper down slowly. You can go back to your usual dose directly or maybe a bit higher. Having said that, if you are still under the same stress that caused the mini-flare in the first place, perhaps it make sense to stay at 2mg for a bit longer until the problems are sorted out. Either are such a low dose that it makes no difference in a long run.

    • barb30898
      barb30898 nick67069

      Posted

      THANKS, Nick.

      Makes sense. i think i'll hang in a bit longer.

      BARB

  • EileenH
    EileenH barb30898

    Posted

    If you have only been on the increased dose for up to 10 days or so you can drop straight back to the previous dose, doesn't matter how much extra the dose was.

    BUT - are you SURE that going back to 1/2mg is right? Maybe you need 1mg - or even a bit more. As 2.5mg is such a low dose I would be inclined to stay there or at 2mg longer until I felt really well and then reduce very slowly using one of the slow taper approaches and 1/2mg at a time.

    At any point it isn't a race - and quality of life is all.

  • rich38490
    rich38490 barb30898

    Posted

    I am finding that my tapering has plateaued at 3mg. Every time I drop below that, I get flareups and have to take 4mg for a few days. As all have said, listen to your body. Best wishes

    • barb30898
      barb30898 rich38490

      Posted

      Thanks, Rich, for your thoughts. were you at a lower level than 3 mg for a length of time?

      BARB

  • rich38490
    rich38490 barb30898

    Posted

    The longest I was at 2mg was about 5 days. By then I was almost back to my PMR starting point in terms of pain and stiffness. Miserable. I had to go back to 5 mg for several days and then tapered gradually back to 3. My doc keeps urging me to continue to taper and so I will reduce to 2 1/5 mg for a couple of days, but it is just not working. I am not going to push it much any longer. Like others have said, I am amazed at the lack of real knowledge at the physician level on PMR. This Blog has saved me 😃

    Best wishes

  • barb30898
    barb30898

    Posted

    Rich,

    The last time i saw a decent rheumatologist, was 4 weeks after i saw an internist, for so called, signs of the flu.

    At that point, i was unable to sit, stand, walk, and in such unbearable pain, i was taken to the Mayo Clinic , in a wheelchair.

    One shot of 20 mg of prednisone, and i was almost running down the halls of the hospital, screaming,..........'.I'm Cured'.

    I gave up the search, for a valid physician, sometime in 2014, and turnedto the internet, and this group.

    Idon't know whati would have done without them. i am forever grateful to all of you.

    Be well.

    barb

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