Psoriatic arthritis

[Seal49]

I have been on prednisone since april. Started at 25 mg for pmr and when Rheumatologist decided it was psoriatic arthritis started me on methotrexate a few months ago. Now on 20 mg methotrexate a week and reducing the prednisone. Things good until I got to 10 mg. Then after 2 weeks, tried reducing to 9.5 mg and had a flare. Rheumatology told me to go back to 30 mg for 3 days 25 mg for 3 days 20 mg for 3 days 15 mg for 3 days and then back to 20 mg and stay at 10. I have a Rheumatologist appt in February. I'm currently at 20 mg and so far feel the best in a long time. Spent today outside putting up Xmas lights. I did have a bone density test fine last week and results show i have osteopenia. Not sure is caused by prednisone or methotrexate

[Ascidian]

Hi Seal

I've never actually been on Prednisone, but as I understand it, that would be the one to cause osteopenia, not the methotrexate.

[Surami2020]

Hi Seal49. I found once I got to 10mg of pred it became harder to taper down. It wasn't until I started on leflunomide and my PsA symptoms had reduced by 90% that I got down to 4mg and it took another year to taper off totally. Don't rush tapering. 2 weeks between dropping doses is a bit quick- my withdrawal symptoms lasted a week each time. You might need to consider adding in another DMARD. I am on plaquenil as well as the leflunomide which has made a huge difference to me.

[Batty1]

I personally would not remain on prednisone it can cause issues with your bones if used long term .