Appt after 2nd bloods

[Yellowbluebell]

Saw my gp today after 2nd bloods came back slightly reduced and he has said he is happy they are moving down and that he wouldn’t be looking at begining any taper until at at least January. As that’s when I have my Rheumatlogist appt he said he will see me at the end of jan unless I am worried about anything. I am more than happy to stay on this dose of pred as symptoms haven’t all gone and had been worried he would try and start reducing it ASAP. He’s upped my antidepressant and hopes that should also help with sleep. Generally a good appt.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Good - sensible GP as well! Colder weather can make it more difficult to taper sometimes - extra stress on body!

[Yellowbluebell in reply to DorsetLady]

It does look like he knows his stuff which after reading some of the stories on here I am very greatful for

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Excellent - a person of sense...

[Yellowbluebell in reply to PMRpro]

Totally.

[Louisepenygraig]

That sounds good. What dose of pred are you on now?

[Yellowbluebell in reply to Louisepenygraig]

I started on and am still on 15mg. He seems to think that this over the next few months will win out!

[SheffieldJane]

He’s a keeper!

[Yellowbluebell in reply to SheffieldJane]

I know!! Really relieved he isn’t rushing to get me off the pred asap like so many I’ve seen on the forum. Just got to make sure Rheumatlogist plays ball as well.

[Lonsdalelass]

Hi Yellowbluebell, we seem to be at the same stage with this illness, diagnosed late September/early October and on same starting dose of 15mg. Difference is, unlike your very sensible gp, mine recommended to start a reduction of 12.5 only just over a week ago, as bloods showed really good levels, to which I said that was too much and I would be happy to only go down to 13.5 (10%). Well I wish I hadn't bothered, as I couldn't make it into work yesterday as I was so fatigued and my legs wouldn't go, and I felt crap! I have had a lot of great advice from PMRpro about this and will be going back to 15mg tomorrow to get me back to where I was, and I have to go to work this weekend too so will need it to get me through and also into next week. When I reduce next time, whenever that will be, I am going down by only .5mg, despite what the dr says. I have changed drs by the way! I was seeing three different ones, not great. And the one who recommended a reduction, although very nice, is a trainee gp and was going by nhs guidelines. Not always the best thing as we are learning. I am both cross, disappointed and depressed about this, as initially I had been doing so well on 15mg and now realise the drops down i.e. in my case 1.5, might not seem very big, but they are!! Oh well, onwards and upwards!!! Am getting more bloods taken today, so will see if my levels have changed when I get the results next week.