Hopefully pred free after 3 .5 years.

[whitleybayfc]

Saw rheumy yesterday and he is taking me off pred after getting down to 6mg for 4 mth.I have addisons aswell as gca pmr.My hydrocortisone had been stopped for 3 years since I was on high doses pred 80 at one stage.Im on methotrexate I'm still taking that .My hydrocortisone has been restarted I'm on 20 mg a day.I trust my doc he has been .I'm praying I have no flare ups and fatigue goes away.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

I hope so too. It's taken me 18months to get from 6mg to 0.5mg but then I'm just on Pred, so will be very interested to hear how you cope with stopping at that level.

[betty1943 in reply to DorsetLady]

Ditto!

[Celtic PMRGCAuk volunteer]

whitleybayfc, let's hope it's plain sailing for you now. I do remember a professor of rheumatology at last year's Vasculitis Symposium recommending a switch from Pred to hydrocortisone in the case of adrenal insufficiency once around doses of 5mg Pred and below. You're only a smidgeon above 5mg at 6mg, and I'm sure your rheumy has given you best advice. I do hope your prayers come true and you remain flare-free and the fatigue resolves. Good luck!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I do hope it works for you - and that the hydrocortisone has fewer side effects long term than pred. It is just swapping one corticosteroid for another - do tell us how you get on.

[whitleybayfc in reply to PMRpro]

I will let you know how I'm doing,i was on hydrocortisone for 7 years before pmr and gca came along,it has been stopped by endo and rheumy for 3 years.Early days but me hands ahce stopped shaking so that's a good sign.Thanks for all your replies .I'm an Addisonian just to let you all know.