1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Polymyalgia Rheumatica and GCA

What is your opinion on decreasing pred.?

Posted , 7 users are following.

Elijo
Elijo

I called my GP  a few weeks ago to ask for a reduction in Pred since I was taking 30mg until Mar 30, but c/o of SO many unpleasant side effects. He reduced it to 20mg and made an appt. to see him.  So I went on 20mg. w/ no pain, kept the appt. when he said to reduce to 15mg. on March 15 and see him on Mar. 30.  Two days ago, i started on 17,5 mg. on my own until March 15.  I've had no pain since Nov. 1 when I started on 40mg.for one month.  Before the prednisone,I could NOT function, was very stiffened with LOTS of pain and stiffness.  He said when I get to 15mg. we will have to go much slower.  My lab work has not been far off.  What do you think of my doing a gradual reduction to 17.5?.

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

Prev
  • EileenH
    EileenH Elijo

    Posted

    Personally, I certainly wouldn't reduce that much every few days at this stage - you really need to allow 10-14 days at a dose to be sure you are still OK at the new dose. If you reduce 2.5 and then 2.5mg again just a few days later and the symptoms flare you don't know which interval was the cause or even if it is really the big change in dose rather than it not being enough. 20 down to 15mg is 25%, really a big drop.
    • margo25238
      margo25238 EileenH

      Posted

      I am on the path of dead slow....you once gave a link to the entire process to follow, would you mind sending it out again, i have some questions and think they will be answered if i can go over this link...

      thanks

    • Elijo
      Elijo EileenH

      Posted

      Thanks for your advice, that is what I'm going to do.Your suggestions are always informative and helpful and I appreciate your knowledge!  Y ou have been through it for a long time, and me only since end of October. 
    • margo25238
      margo25238 EileenH

      Posted

      Great Eileen - this method was based on reducing 1mg or .5mg

      how much of a chance of a flare would i take if i reduced the larger dose 1 mg instead of .5 mg.

       

    • EileenH
      EileenH margo25238

      Posted

      No way of knowing - it depends on you. Everyone is different. If 1mg turns out to be too much, try 0.5mg. But it is slow so you can even slow it further and manage 1mg at a time rather than cutting tablets. And it also depends on the dose you are on - at 10mg reducing by 1mg should be no problem. When you get to 5mg then 1mg at a time is twice as much.
Back to top
Prev

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.