Burn out

[georgemichael-]

How will I know if my one has improved. I don't know when to reduce the steroids as I said before I am 20Mg for nearly 3 years. waiting for blood test. Thankyou

[polkadotcom]

You reduce the dose when you are comfortable and have no symptoms. If you have been on 20mg for 3 years (did I read that right?) you will probably have to reduce very slowly, so I would suggest that you customise the DSNS to suit you and use it from the start.

I do find it a little difficult to understand why you have been left on that dose, do you have other medical issues which need steroids?

[georgemichael- in reply to polkadotcom]

Zthankyou polkadotcmthankyou. I don't need Steroids fror anything else. what does DSNSD mean please ?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to georgemichael-]

Dead Slow and Nearly Stop - the name our very slow reduction approach goes by.

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

As polkadotcom says why have you been on 20mg for 3 years? Or is that not what you meant?

Have you not been given any advice on reducing by a doctor? If not, you can do it yourself, but you need to go slowly. Personally I would try 1mg at a time initially, provided you have no return of symptoms. You should be able to manage that about every month, using a slow taper. Stopping if you get any return of pains etc.

But really you need to discuss with GP to plan a way forward.

Good luck.

[georgemichael- in reply to DorsetLady]

Thankyou Dorset lady I will try that

[PMRpro Ambassador]

As the others say - you will have to reduce in very small steps, stay at each new dose for a few weeks and see if the symptoms return. If they do, you stop reducing and go back to the previous dose.

[georgemichael- in reply to PMRpro]

Thankyou PMRpro will definitely do that

[SheffieldJane]

I am pretty sure that I would have been left to my own devices if I hadn't agitated for the Rheumatologist I learned about on this website and took charge of my own tapering using the knowledge I gained here. I didn't even know about tapering. My GP's surgery doesn't chase me and I don't bother them much either. Repeat prescriptions etc.

I think we have to be pretty proactive these days.

I just underline what others have said a gradual, mindful reduction starting with 1 mg each month. Use the Dead Slow Nearly Stop method. I would also see a GP 3 years is an awful long time to be on the top PMR dose.

[Jackoh]

As I posted before, your GP does not sound at all good. Did you get back to see her/him since your last post? Can you ask to be referred to a Consultant Rheumatologist? What area of UK do you live in ? Perhaps someone has a suggestion of a good Consultant in your area. You can choose which Consultant you want to be referred to ( in theory) . Jackie

[georgemichael- in reply to Jackoh]

Jackie thankyou .I live in Gravesend Kent