Has anyone been able to reduce prednisolone when on Baricitinib [JAK Inhibitor]

[ryburnvalleyestates]

I need to reduce my Prednisolone from 18.5 daily and have just been started on Barcitinib. [8 days ago] is this possible?

I am new here.

Anthony

[gradyjackjacob]

I,m on the same meds and only take 3mg of steroids a day.Hope this is useful.

[ryburnvalleyestates in reply to gradyjackjacob]

I wish I was on 3 mg but I can't manage to reduce the dose without getting a enormous flare of my RA

[Leics]

I’m on baricitinib it’s a pretty new one for me too. I was put on prednisone at the end of last year only 10mg because I was in a bad way. Anyway I’ve been taking baricitinib for about 10 weeks and the swelling has reduced I’m also tapering off the steroids only have 5mg every other day now and due to stop them completely in a week or so. I’m only on 2mg of baricitinib but this might be increased to 4mg in a few weeks. So the answer to your enquiry is yes you can taper off or completely remove steroids from your treatment but that is totally down to your consultant and your individual needs. Not a good idea to do it yourself. Welcome by the way. 😃

[ryburnvalleyestates in reply to Leics]

Every time I try to reduce my steroids I get a severe flare. I have been on them for many years now and the required dose gets higher. I used to be on 7 mg but am now on 18.5.

My GP says stay on this dose because it gives you a reasonable quality of life, but I would dearly like to reduce them because they cause abdominal obesity.

[Leics in reply to ryburnvalleyestates]

Yeah I know what you mean it can be an issue. The thing is if the baricitinib works for you and you don’t get many flares if any then I think your consultant will lower the dose of steroids gradually anyway. I’m not allowed to be on steroids for long periods of time as I have severely low immunoglobulins. I did find last time I was taken off them my pain and inflammation increased so my consultant put me back on them for another couple of months. Getting to the end of this course now. Baricitinib seems to be working ok but although the tablets are out of your system quickly I was told it can still take between 12 weeks and six months to get to all the parts it needs to. I’ve got to say I am feeling better but I always follow consultants advice to the letter. I hope you have a good outcome with your new meds and your medical team can reduce the steroid dose gradually without you flaring. It might be that you have to stay on prednisone but if I’m honest I know how bad this disease can be and I’m still in the place of thinking a reasonable quality of life is worth the risk but that’s just me and the last six years have been absolute hell.

[jadeash in reply to Leics]

Hi there how are these JAK suiting you. I have been on 2 biologicals but not much help but now worrying with all my travel for work in airports checking my drugs that they have been compromised. My specialist has suggested JAKs but don't know much about them . Hope you are getting better on them x

[Leics in reply to jadeash]

Yeah still in the early stages but definitely a big change in swelling and inflammation so pain is reducing too. I’m not there yet but honestly there is an improvement. Still having to be watched closely because of immune system but no infections and no side effects so I’m hoping they can increase the dose to 4mg which is what most people are on. I’ve had lots of Dmards and rituximab infusions In the past which unfortunately gave me the immune system issues so I’ve had ZERO treatment for six years. The Jak inhibitor has been really positive for me but I’m still only at week 10 but so grateful to new consultant for looking after me.

[Recorder500L]

I have been on 5mg prednisolone for many years and Baricitinib since last September. For me they seem to work well together. I would certainly ask your Consultant first and their advice how to decrease them. It has to be done slowly. Good luck with the Baricitinub.