Taper question

[Mstiles]

Hello everyone,

PMR/GCA diagnosed Jan. 2018, started at 40 mg pred.

I tapered from 20 mg to 18.75 three weeks ago and doing OK as far as pain except for knee/hip which I think is earlier arthritis, possibly hip bursitis as is eases up doing the day and Tylenol plus CBD cream helps that.

Trying to figure out my next taper dose and the math and splitting pills is driving me crazy trying to get to the amount for the next dose. I’ve read “taper no more than 10%”, but also taper“20-17.5-15”. I don’t have 1 mg pills yet. I have an appt with my bullying rheumy in 3 weeks who left me on my own for 3 months but wanted me already at 20 way back in July. She’s refilled my pred once but reduced the amount of pills to 15 mg daily on the prescription. I’m going to need a refill before I see her in 3 weeks.

If you read my “Rogaine “ post recently about my horrible hair loss, I’m really depressed about that, and I think it’s affected my thinking so maybe I’m way overthinking this next taper.

Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated as always.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

If you are on 18.75mg then you must be cutting either a 5mg into quarters, or a 2.5mg into halves. If that’s the case then go to 17.5mg - 3x5mg plus either half another 5mg or 1x2.5mg.

If you need more before you see her, then you’re going to have to ring her department and request, or see your GP if he is “allowed” to prescribe, or do you have a Rheumy who has to do it themselves?

[Mstiles in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks Dorset Lady. Yes I’ve been cutting the 5 mg into quarters. I am pondering if I can go lower than the 1 mg this time.

Or maybe stay at the 17.5 dose just a few weeks and then go down again.

My GP did prescribe back in April when I got fired by my first rheumy. Then she turned me over to this one. I’ll just have to see what will work.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Mstiles]

Personally I would go for 17.5mg initially, and in the meantime see if you can get either GP or Rheumy to prescribe 1mg - you are going to need them, despite what the doctors may think!

Good luck

[Mstiles in reply to DorsetLady]

💕🤞thanks, yes that’s what I’m thinking.