Time to reduce... I think?

[northwesterner]

I’m expecting results from my Monthly CRP and Sed rate blood tests today. I’m feeling pretty good at this moment so I suspect they will be in normal ranges. If they are in normal ranges I can reduce from 4mg to 3.5mg. I have had so many incidents of flares after reducing that I am a bit hesitant. I like this feeling right now at the moment of feeling mostly pain free (shoulder and neck pain still there each morning until my morning Pred) but I also need to keep reducing since I have signs of steroid induced diabetes. I has been years of a yo-yo effort to try and get this low on Prednisone. I guess I will take the plunge to the next reduction if my lab results are normal...

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you have signs of pred-induced diabetes - cut your carbs. One lady brought her Hba1c down from 47 (of concern) to 41 (in normal range) just by doing that.

And if you use a slow approach to your reduction, starting by just challenging your body with the new 1/2mg lower dose on one day and going back to the old dose for a few days and repeat that, always with 1 less day between new doses you get a chance to see what your body thinks of the new low dose. If you have niggles and they increase - abort mission!

[stellafmdm in reply to PMRpro]

That is what I am trying, but it is the mood that changes not the pain which is still under control. (Long may it stay that way) I'm trying to go from 9 to 81/2 mg the slow way and every time I do an 81/2 I feel tetchy and cross and upset!! Grrrrr

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to stellafmdm]

Almost certainly a lack of adrenal function - and the only way to combat THAT is to stick it out at the lower dose to poke the adrenals into life...

[stellafmdm in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that PMRpro, I'll persevere in the hopes that it will improve in time!

[Hidden]

Here's wishing you a successful taper down with ZERO flares and reduced pain!!!!

[stellafmdm in reply to Hidden]

Many thanks mamici1, I hope it will turn out that way!!

[SheffieldJane]

Well done you, you could bask a bit longer, probably won’t hurt anything.

[northwesterner]

I have felt better since starting a Keto diet at the beginning of the year.

[Hidden]

I would only reduce if I felt ok and had no symptoms rather than on bloods. O am at 9mg again using dsns method and hoping it sticks but I will ni w sit here for a week or three to ensure the inflammation isn't building again. I do seem to have steroid withdrawal in this my third day in a row at 9mg. But not as severe as previously.

[northwesterner]

Yes! Lab work all in normal range. So I’ll take the plunge and reduce.5... keeping fingers crossed

[bunnymom in reply to northwesterner]

Wishing you well!

[pollyg263]

me too, i have tried to reduce a couple of times without sucsess. but using the dead slow method it seems to be working, now down to 2,5 n 3 and seems to be ok so far fingers xd still get a bit of withdrawl pain and just pain in left shoulder. but bearable.

so will carry on regardless