UP AND DOWN?? GOOD OR BAD??

First of all, I am starting my fourth year of PMR and am currently reducing from 5 1/2 to 5 mgs for the first time. It will take me 35 days to completely take 5 mgs all week using the Dorset Lady's reducing plan. During my second year of PMR I took 6 mgs for one year with steroid shots in addition because of a knee replacement during that time. I had a flare after that because I no longer had the steroid shots, upped to 10 with a quick taper to 7 mgs where I stayed for many months. The following year I was hospitalized for a bleeding ulcer and after had another flare, went up to 15 mgs and dropped back to 8. I reduce in 1/2 mg segments using the 35 day plan and then stay there for a couple of months or until I feel it is safe to go lower.PMR has a lifetime of almost 6 (5.9) years before remission for many people. There is no point in reducing pred doses until PMR is ready to leave. Pred is your friend, the only medication that can relieve the pain.

I wouldn't toggle by 2 mg.You are at such a low dose this is a very large percentage. You could try 5 or 6 mg for a week and see if that helps, then re-evaluate. I think if you do decide to carry on with alternating days it would be better to stick with .5 mg if you can cut your tablets.

And I've just read somewhere today that the real experts on chronic illness are the patients. Trust your intuition.

I also follow the dead slow method. However, sometimes if I feel I will be doing something very stressful, or really exerting myself, or I feel pain ratcheting up a bit, then I might up it by .5 mg for that day or two, then drop back to the lower dose. I am currently at 5 mg. prednisone split into taking 3 in the morning and 2 at night just before bed. Usually that is the most I vary between a dose when at the low range of dosage. By trial and error I have found that works for me. You can get the 1 mg size pills and cut them in half. My rheumy checks my blood levels regularly and is happy the readings are fine. Good luck!

Hello Linda....... i am in my fourth year with PMR, and I manage it myself. GP writes prescriptions when needed.I am currently tapering from 4.5mg to 4mg with the DSNS method. It is all positive at the moment providing I take it slowly. I have over the last couple of years relapsed, and had to increase my doses. Good luck Linda.

When I had a bad flair of PMR and GCA after being off prednisone for 3 monthsin 2018 I went back to 5 mg prednisone once daily on my own. My JOHNS HOPKINS DR AND MY UNC DRBI had me stay at that level for 8 months. Now on the advice of both DR's I am on ACTEMERA weekly and began tapering Prednisone very slowly. Down 1 mg per month and the first 5 days I alternate the dose. I have been on these 2 meds for 5 months and looking forward to getting off prednisone by the end of the year. I exercise moderately and try to keep the stress level down. SO GOOD SO FAR.

You'd be much better doing 5mg every day - 6 to 4 is a big change day to day.

Did 5mg help your pain and other symptoms? If so, where is the lady's problem? Why is she so determined to get you off pred? Quality of life should be the major aim at any point - and 5mg is a low and safe dose for longer periods.