Tapering

[kathleen18]

I have been on 10mg Pred for a good month now and am supposed to start tapering by 1mg per 3 or 4 weeks but cannot remember the best way that members recommended by one or two a week. I was on 7.5mg for a few weeks but ached too much so doc raised the dose which was much better so want to take it slowly now. All advice gratefully received!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi Kathleen,

I used the following taper when I got down to just above the dose you're on, which works out about every 5 weeks overall, and is much less likely to give you another flare. Some find that dropping from one dose to a lower one can give withdrawal symptoms if you do it from one day to next.

I dropped by 1mg a time until I got to 6mg and then I did it in 0.5mg drops. It may sound long-winded and may be slightly slower than your doctor wishes, but if it means you can taper without a flare then it's better for you and your body.

1st week - Sun & Thurs new dose (Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat old dose)

2nd week - Sun, Tues & Thurs new dose (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat old dose)

3rd week - Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs new dose (Mon, Fri, Sat old dose)

4th week - Sun, Tues, Wed, Thurs & Sat new dose (Mon, Fri old dose)

5th week - every day new dose

Provided you feel okay at the end of 5th week, you can go straight into next taper. If at anytime you don't feel right, then just repeat the previous week to see if that helps.

[kathleen18]

Thanks it's just what I need to know. I am going away for 10 days soon so don't want to do anything too drastic but I think it's worth a try! Thank you for your positive help I'll let you know how it goes, you are such a great support for everyone.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

This is another version of the slow approach:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[kathleen18 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for that. Have made notes of the details so will see how I get on. (How can I print from iPad?)

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to kathleen18]

Is your iPad connected to your printer? If so select single square icon with upright arrow on right of browser bar. You can then chose print option.

If iPad not connected you may need to save as a word document or a note and then send to your main PC (via email) if that's what's connected to printer.

[Rokerman in reply to DorsetLady]

I have your tapering method written down (by hand.....) next to my stash of Pred, DL I see you're a 'techie' too - can you come round and speed up my pc?!😀

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rokerman]

I find a few swear words usually works! ..if not then a swift clip round the ear.....

...perhaps I shouldn't have said that -I'll have the RSPIO* police round...

* Royal Society for Protection of Inanimate Objects.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to DorsetLady]

Well, one does boot one's computer...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to PMRpro]

Boom, boom, tish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rokerman in reply to PMRpro]

As MB would say - boom boom! 😀

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Rokerman]

You wont be surprised to know I still have it on an excel s/s! If you want copy send me a Private Message (not on open forum) your email and I'll forward. We techies have to stick together!

[kathleen18 in reply to DorsetLady]

I thought I was fairly computer literate but don't know about Private Messages, where is it?!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to kathleen18]

Select your picture/name at top of screen - brings up a drop down list - Select Messages - takes you to another page select Compose.

You need to type in person's name -it should then bring it up in a box - sometimes there are a few that start the same so make sure you've got the right one.

If all else fails look at the Help page! sometimes it does!

[Rokerman in reply to DorsetLady]

Oh DL - now you're just showing off! (Only joking😉)

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to kathleen18]

Click on the name of the person you want to message, i.e. the DorsetLady in blue next to her picture. Her profile will come up and Message appears in a green box at the top right.

Being computer literate isn't always a help on this forum...

[kathleen18 in reply to PMRpro]

Well I don't know what planet I am on, but no green message box appears on my screen! Don't worry, I shall give up and write it out by hand (preferably using quill pen and parchment)!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to kathleen18]

Ooops - click on the name, get the profile page, scroll all the way to the top and Message is in WHITE at the top right corner!!!!! something else is in green...