Pain during tapering

[RheaV]

I am currently on 9 mg of Prednisone--have been for about a week. I take my Pred in at breakfast time, and usually the next morning when I wake up, I do have some pain in my neck and shoulders. Today, though, I'm feeling some pain in the afternoon. I hesitate to call it pain, because it's not nearly like what it was. I would call it a 3 on a scale of 1-10. Should I go back to 10? Or should I continue with 9? I can carry on just fine with this. Should I be completely pain-free for 24 hours before I taper?

Thanks for your time!

[1Purplecrow]

Hi, my experience has been some discomfort immediately after dropping to new dose, which I believe is pred withdrawal.

If, however, the pain occurs or worsens after a week, it's most likely that your body is not ready for that taper step. I returned to the earlier level, and let things settle a bit, then tried the drop again. Seems to work well for me.

I am fairly conservative in my taper schedule, staying at levels for months, rather that weeks. The risk of flare is just not one I wanted to take.

Good luck to you. Jerri

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi RheaV,

Could well be steroid withdrawal as Purplecrow said. But it should go off within a few days, if it lasts longer could be beginnings of a flare. If it is you know what to do.

If it's withdrawal symptoms then maybe a slower taper over weeks rather than overnight would make it easier, or even try 0.5mg a time rather than 1mg, or both!

Take care.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I wouldn't reduce any further until you see where you are going. It may settle in which case you will be fine. If it doesn't in a couple of weeks - have a rethink.