reducing steroids

It took me a year to reduce from 5 mg to 4 mg, which is a very large reduction - 20 %. I tried 1 mg at a time, but after a year I tried a new regime that I understand many have copied. I took 4 mg one day, 5 mg two days and repeated it once more, so after a week I went down to 4 mg every day. If you want to drag it out longer, you can alternate 4 mg and 5 mg after a week. At 2.5 mg I reduced by 0.5 mg at a time. At such low doses, the percentage you reduce with is high and the body may therefore ract if you go too quickly, which I think your doctor told you to do. If you go too quickly, you may have a backlash and have to go way up again. I preferred to take it easy and be without pain. After 3 ½ years of pmr, I got down to 0 in the middle of December last year, and I have been fine after that.

Take it easy

Ragnar

Hi Chammer - yes, I agree with Ragnar that your Consultant's suggested reduction from 5 to 2.5 is an unusually large drop, unless you have any serious medical issues going on where he might want you off Prednisolone more quickly. I'm assuming you had successful blood test results today.

It would generally appear that most rheumatologist's suggest 1mg drops when reducing from 5 and then to stay on that dose for 2-3 months. However, it didn't work for me even when trying to reduce that way. So I am now one of the devotees to Ragnar's regime, having successfully reduced from 5 to 4 via 4.5 and slowly tapering the reduction over 4-5 weeks, then staying on the final reduced dose for a couple of months. Although a little discomfort reappeared, it did not manifest itself in increased inflammation markers in the blood tests which was a first for me.

Like you, I also had an appointment with my rheumatologist today and when giving me a further appointment in 5 months time he added that perhaps I would be off Prednisolone by then........I have all my fingers and toes crossed!

Perhaps you could check on the Guidelines suggested in previous posts by Mrs K of the PMR Fighters Group in the North East, and then seek further advice from your GP before taking on this large reduction. Do keep in touch and let us know how you get on.

RAGNAR - Hello again. Have your ears been burning as I am always referring to your wonderful advice? If I manage to be as successful as you on your suggested regime, I also will be over PMR and GCA in the same timescale as you. Just one question: did you find that you still suffered from some degree of leg stiffness/discomfort whilst continuing to reduce below 5 or did that completely disappear? I remember you saying that you came to London in December just after coming off steroids and you had a little problem with climbing steps.

It's so wonderful to hear that you are keeping well 9 months down the line - well done. Also, it's wonderful that you find the time to still visit this site and give your valuable advice even though you have recovered - a fantastic boost to all of us - thank you.

Wonder how Davblo's (also in your homeland) getting on.

MrsO

Hi Mrs O,

My problem - and I still have it - is that I get tired from physical exercise like walking far and especially when going upstairs or uphill. We are taking care of a Golden retriever quite often, and he helps me to get out despite this. We live on a hilly place and have to start walking uphill.

When I get up from a chair, I feel a bit stiff, but as I am 72 it could also be from age, I suppose. Once I am up I don´t really feel it.

So glad \"my regime\" has helped you.

Ragnar

Hi again Ragnar and thank you so much for your reassuring response. My present symptoms almost mirror yours, such as the stiffness when getting up from the chair and being restricted from walking too far - sadly, our golden retriever is no longer with us to encourage me with my walking! However, I do walk without fail every day but, fortunately, unlike yourself, I do not have to cope with any hills. I hope you keep watching this site so that I can let you know when I have joined your 'club' of post-PMR members! I do hope many others posting on this site at present will also be joining that 'club' soon and best wishes to everyone else reading this. Best wishes Ragnar.

MrsO

Hi Mrs O and Ragnar, Thank you both for your advice.I will contact my GP but normally he will always go along with the recommendation of Consultant.My Consultant is not a Rheumatologist but General Medical.I will let you know how I get on but your replys are very much appreciated.I am so pleased I found this site because it is invaluable to be able to get this advice