Reducing pred

Posted , 15 users are following.

Hi everyone

I have had a txt msg from doctors saying to book an appointment with a doctor 're reducing pred I have just had my blood done so it must have come back ok so now they want to reduce pred I have tried to get below 10 mg on the dsns method but even by 1 mg I start to hurt all over . Could I have some advice on.Reducing before I make appointment with the doctor as if I hurt by 1 mg I don't know how I will be able to reduce much more Thank you

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  • Posted

    Just tell them what has happened when you have tried to go further down before. And if their argument is "your blood markers are normal" the answer is that that means you are on the right dose of pred to manage the inflammation, not that the PMR has gone. If you reduce the dose and the symptoms return - QED!

    How are you reducing that 1mg? Are you using the DSNS (Dead Slow) approach? Or are you trying to go from every day 10mg to every day 9mg overnight so to speak? Is the pain returning immediately (within 1 or 2 days) or after a week or so?

    • Posted

      No Eileen I've been following your dsns method where it's 1 day old 6 days new and so on it I can't get below that 10mg I only wish I could I don't want . To be on steroids I hate my fat face I will go to the doc and tell them what you I.have said . Iv told him last week when I was there I've tried dsns method and I still have pain I've even bout a pill.clutter to try 91/2 mg even that hurt my neck started to come back in knots plus my lower back I can hardly bend over on 10 mg even hoovering kill my neck and back trying to change my bed kills my back standing at the sink to wAsh the dishes hurts like anything it a big knot towards my left legs doc said it was some type of arthritis but I don't think it is as its a big knot of muscle so I'm confused any way Eileen thank you for your reply

    • Posted

      Sounds far more like myofascial pain syndrome. I used to use Bowen therapy and it helped me a lot. A good sports physio or sports massage therapist might help to iron out the knots of inflamed muscle fibres - I know you won't get the sort of treatment I get here. And when all else fails - steroid injections where the knots of muscles are but in the UK that would be a miracle...

      Hoovering is very bad for backs - my orthopaedic specialist years ago told me and it is something I rarely do for more than a few minutes! I now have a iRobot roomba - that doesn't hurt my back!!!

    • Posted

      Do you like your irobot? I just hate vacuuming with a passionate hate (and anything with the tag housework) and thought about getting one. But then, my pre-teen grand-daughter had a meltdown tantrum because my son refused more money for clothes or makeup or whatever, it escalated and she was sent back to her mother's house (they share custody of the kids). I suggested she does my vacuuming every fortnight and it has made a tremendous difference. My son objected to the amount she gets but I said it was more than just pay for work, it was a way to support my grand-daughter as well. And oh joy oh rapture, I live in less filth and squalor and she has her own bank account, learning the value of money. Last week she proudly showed me a stack of second-hand clothes she bought on line. One dollar each item. Amazing.

      (sorry - digressing from the discussion thread) Hope you are well.

    • Posted

      I love my iRobot!!!! I detest housework too - have all my life. I had a cleaner until the nasty neighbour with the shop stopped using her and she had to find another "proper" job. So for ages I just ignored it until visitors were coming and OH would do it... Then I decided I'd like a robot for Christmas and himself coughed up. It isn't perfect but the floors are clean. I just put it on when I'm doing the forum stuff - it gets stuck on one pair of chairs so I don't just leave it alone. I do find it a bit embarrassing about the amount of fluff it finds redface

      But your idea is brilliant too - don't have a handy granddaughter though, best part of 1000 miles...

    • Posted

      Know what you mean about the amount of fluff. No use explaining to family that it is a scientific experiment; they know me too well. 

      Moderator comment:I have deleted the links to the images as they went to a site unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. Users can upload images directly to this site by using the icon at the top right of reply boxes.

  • Posted

    Hi, the only way I can reduce is by doing it GRADUALLY...Have you tried going from 10 every day to 10, 10, 9, for a month, and then 10, 9, 9, for a month. This is what my gp advised, followed by 9 every day...or make it 6 weeksat each stage. I don't know if this is the correct thing to do, but certainly it has worked so far and am now on 5 5 6! good luck, and welcome!!

    • Posted

      Hi Margaret I have tried Eileen dsns method by going from 10 to 9 like 10 one day old dose Then 9 new dose Then old dose for 6 days then 2 days @9 so on until you have got to new dose being 9 I tried but the pain returns after New dose of day 1 I. Tri sticking to.it but I just can't cope so back to 1 0 to fee comfortable thank you Margaret for your reply

    • Posted

      Not quite, it's even slower than that:

      1 day new dose, 6 days old dose

      1 day new dose, 5 days old dose

      1 day new dose, 4 days old dose

      1 day new dose, 3 days old dose, 

      1 day new dose, 2 days old dose

      1 day new dose, 1 day old dose

      Only then do you get to 2 days of new dose together. and build up the days of new dose.

    • Posted

      So have I been doing it wrong

      I've been doing 1 new 6 days old then by time it got to do new dose I've been doing it like 2 days new five days old I'm thick

    • Posted

      No you're not - others have done the same so it must be my fault and I didn't explain clearly.

    • Posted

      Thank you Eileen

      I will let you know what the doctor says when I get an appointment with the doc I want to see not a locum like I had last week who wanted to put me on them other tablets bisphosphonate

  • Posted

    I can only reduce 1/4 mg at a time.
    • Posted

      Hi karenjaninaz I bought a pill cutter to go to 91/2 I can't even go down to that because if neck and back pain. How do you get the 1/4 mg please

    • Posted

      Paula, I got a mini pill cutter: after breaking the 1mg in half where it's scored I cut the 1/2 in 1/2 to make a 1/4. It's not perfect but it works. 

      I put my daily dose into see through gelatin capsules I bought on line and place a weeks dosing in a weekly container. This is after recording the expected dose in a monthly calendar. This way I don't forget which dose is what day .

      Everyone must find what is convenient for him/her.

      I am very sensitive to tapering. 

    • Posted

      I told the chemist that it was a futile exercise trying to cut pills in half and she said no problem, we could cut them. Less stress! I'm sure one half flew into my cat Mario's food. 

       

    • Posted

      Hi wonderful Friends,

      what a breath of of fresh air all this is!!! Jolly good...

      my experience is that I “split “ the dose and that seems to tick me through well, pain wise that is...

      on my dose of seven mg a day  I did five amwith breakfast, and two mg with dinner. I am now working my way through going to six, yes, ever so slowly...

      so far so good......never give up hope and keep that smile on our face which releases the endorphins!!!!😊😉 alida

    • Posted

      I'm watching him closely to see if his fur turns curly - just like my dead straight hair did. Eyelashes disappeared though. Flirting is at an all-time low. 

      I think it's time to caution Mario: "Say no to drugs". He is insane.

    • Posted

      Morning Sandy

      Since starting on pred my hair has gone curly one eye brow has started growing upwards eyelashes on one eye have started to grow inwards I've even brush them through with Vaseline trying for all I'm worth to get them to grow back straight how is your cat hope he ok

      Thank you for your reply

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