GCA and tapering

[tgca]

Hey ho....I managed successfully to taper from 10 to 9 mgs pred... thank you so much PMRpro for your method. Left it at 9 for a month and tried again using the DSNS but it's not working very well. Would it be an idea to stick at 9 for a little longer and then dro by 1/2mg at a time...advice please from this lovely forum.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Probably! You can also always repeat each step to slow it down even further. But at some point you will get to the dose you need longer-term - and maybe for now it is 9mg.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi tgca,

That's a bit disappointing for you, but as PMRpro says 9mg may be YOUR level at the moment, and if it is, then not a lot you can do about it!

Good idea to try only 9.5mg next time you reduce. As we're always saying, it's not a race - you need what you need!

Sometimes leaving it for an extra week or two does the job - and you find you can reduce successfully.

[piglette]

I was told that half a mg per month under 10mg is much better than trying 1mg per month and gives a smoother ride. I am sure some people can manage 1mg, but I think the half mg works well for me.

[tgca in reply to piglette]

Thank Piglette, half a mg reduction next try

[Caro12line]

I was the same at 9mg.... and again at 7mg to 6mg. Listen to your body... go slowly ... half mg reduction takes longer but you will get there, you have to do it at a pace that feels right for you, and none of us are exactly the same. I am now down to 1mg going to 0.5mg .. still taking it slowly

Good luck xx

[tgca in reply to Caro12line]

Impressive, Caro12line !

[Caro12line in reply to tgca]

Thanks tgca. Been a rough journey for 2 and a half years with the added complication of a major heart attack, blue lighted to hospital and stent fitted. But I'm getting there. Tapering Pred and Cardio Rehab.

You can do it. Don't try and fight it but work with it and all will be fine xx