pain and pred tapering

[43086]

when you cut down on prednisone one half mg going from 2 to 1and half mg, when would you know if is going to be ok.

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

There's no answer to that, I'm afraid, other than saying you will know the reduction is a step too far for now if you suffer any returning symptoms.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How long is a piece of string?

Sorry - no way of knowing. But what is absolutely certain is that staying at that dose for a couple of months or even more is not going to hurt and gives you a better chance of being sure. This is such a low dose it is no problem and it would be a shame to spoil the ship for a ha'penny worth of tar!

Now these 1/2mg drops are massive percentages - so slow right down.

[suzieh]

I think you will soon know if you feel ok on your lower dose. I am currently on 2.5 mg per day and feel fine, so am staying on this dose for a couple of months until I feel ready to attempt a reduction again ( using the very slow method recommended on here). I managed to get to 1.5mg Earlier in the year, but at that time it was a step too far for me (The pain crept up again, I felt unwell/tired out, and paracetamol and rest didn't sort it). Luckily for me a week or so at 3 mg a day got me " back to ok" and then I slowly reduced back to 2.5 mg - where I am today!

Still hoping I can get to zero at some point.........

[pollyg263]

I got down to 1 mg in march but felt the pain creeping back. so went back to 2mg.

pain didn't seem to go I just made sure it didn't get worse over a couple of weeks, I stuck it out over 2 weeks, when it seemed to be calming down. I also took 1 paracetamol in the afternoon , which when it felt to be a bit better I put the para down to 1 every 2 days

then no para at all. now all the pain has gone, just a bit of stiffness. also knees are not too good but I put that down to a bit of arthritis as I am 73. so I am due to see doc next week. we will say what my blood results are. the last 2 mg I will go down very very slowly if it takes 3 to 4 month it will be worth it if it works.

this is how it went for me but like evetone says we are all different good luck to you