Reducing prednisone from a high dose.

[Lbs1]

I recently had surgery causing my blood platelets to drop significantly and I was put on a high dose of prednisone 80 mg which helped correct the problem. My usual dose is 10 mg daily due to my lupus condition. I have been on the high dose for 7 days and my hematologist recommended reducing to 60 mg for a week then reduce it again to 40 mg for a week , then 20 mg for a week and then finally reducing to my normal level of 10. What problems might I develop if I accelerated this plan to reduce to 10 in half the time as outlined?

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Lbs1,

Short answer from me having never done it would be - not really sure to be honest. I would have thought dropping from 80mg back to 10 within 4 weeks was pretty quick anyway, doing it within 2 weeks would be supersonic!

I appreciate that some illnesses are dealt with by a short sharp dose of Pred, but with you being on it long term for your Lupus, I would be inclined to follow doctors orders in this instance.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I think what he has suggested is OK - I suspect any faster and you might have even more unpleasant effects from the large changes in dose.