Alternating

[Daylily2000]

Question. Taking 10mg Pred one day, and 7.5mg Pred the next, for an extended (several weeks) time, would be the same as taking 8.75mg Pred. daily, Right, or not? My plan is to reduce to 8.5mg next.

[SheffieldJane]

Far be it from me to interfere with any tapering method that suits you. Big but, it’s a sizeable drop, I think you’ll feel it. Around 7mgs is a tricky stage with the Cortisol issues. I would feel rotten on the 7.5 days. What about 9 mgs, one day a week, then two days and so on until you are comfortably on 9, then do the same with 8?

Whatever you decide to do, good luck. Are you trying to stimulate your Adrenal glands into action? I can see some merit in that.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Theoretically yes. Practically no. The changes in dose are hard work for the body.

Top experts in tapering say the reductions should not be more than 10% of the current dose. Below 10mg the reductions should really be no more than 1mg, and for some people even that is too much. If you are in the UK then pred comes in 1mg tablets, even if you are taking enteric coated pred. Using a pill cutter for plain pred and mixing the 5, 2.5 and 1mg enteric coated tablets if you are on them then you can reduce by 1/2mg at a time - and it really does help.

[Primarose]

That's interesting Daylily2000, why are you tapering this way?

I read an article on a medical site which mentioned staggered tapering but that was at 5 or 3mgs and needed to done under supervision.

[Daylily2000 in reply to Primarose]

I visited with my Rheumatologist this past week and discussed the tapering, but forgot to ask if the body responds to the average of the two doses. I had been doing well at 7.5mg mid June, but increased to 10mg a few days before a 5 hr surgery June 20. Have been trying to get back down to 7.5mg ever since. She sees no problem with this approach if I am tolerating it. We agreed that I could do this for several more weeks and then reduce to 8.5mg for another month or so before reducing further.

True I’m experiencing some aches a few hours before my 4:00 dose on both days, either dose, but the lower dose does relieve this as well as the higher dose. Will do more blood work on the 19th of this month to see where inflammation levels are.

[Pym1]

Mmmm.... I’m no expert, but methinks that if your body was producing its own steroid it wouldn’t be varying the dose like that.

So many people seem to find DSNS works (including me, after trying my own thing) that I’d rather stick to that.

[Daylily2000 in reply to Pym1]

I’m sure you’re right!

[Suffererc in reply to Pym1]

What is DNSN PLEASE

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Suffererc]

DSNS, a slow approach to reduction:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Pym1 in reply to Suffererc]

I see PMRPRO answered this already. 👍🏻

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pym1]

Hope you don't mind

[Pym1 in reply to PMRpro]

Not in the least! You seem to have much more experience in this area than I do!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Pym1]

I someetimes wish I didn't!

[Suffererc]

I tried this method and it worked well from 17 1/2 to 15. Then tried it 15 to 12 1/2 alternate days for a week reducing to 121/2 but found I have had to go back to 15 today after just over a week. Am going to try 12 1/2 Gain from now on alternate days but am requesting a go appt tomorrow to ask/ tell her if ok. Why can't they prescribe the 1mg tab so it is not such a big drop each time.

[Suffererc in reply to Suffererc]

GP appoint

[Daylily2000 in reply to Suffererc]

Yes, the 1mg tabs will make everything easier. They are available here in USA and I’ll get some. Are they not available to you?

[Suffererc in reply to Daylily2000]

Yes they are available but when I asked for them I was told when I get to 10mg tapering. Can't see why myself but do not have the courage to argu yet .