Pred tapering ... from 10 to 9

[Alliswellforever]

Not feeling pain in arms, hips, only in neck and TMJ, and veeeery tiiiiireeed... exhausted... could it be the beginning of a flare? How soon after first new dose should you feel symptoms? Thanks!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

If the problems come on virtually straight away then it more likely to be steroid withdrawal, and should go within 3 or 4 days once your body has adjusted to new lower dose. Not everyone’s symptoms are a mirror of pre diagnosis - mine weren’t I just felt tired, short tempered, irritable.

A flare is likely to take at least a week, sometimes longer to appear.

[Alliswellforever in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you sweetheart for your help!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

There is no answer to that. If you have gone to very slightly too low a dose it will take far longer for the left-over inflammation to mount up than if you are well below the dose.

If you have symptoms the first day, then that is most likely to be steroid withdrawal because your body didn't get the amount of pred it expected and it should then improve over the following week or two, some people take even longer. If you are OK at first and the PMR niggles only appear after several days it may be a flare and in that case they will get worse as time goes on.

That's why we bang on so much about going slowly, using small steps down and listening to your body.

[Alliswellforever in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much for your helpful information !

[Telian]

I agree with what's already been said - I've always suffered with withdrawals which come on the same day taking the new dose, they usually go after a few days but take into consideration PMRpro's reply on possible flare. As you get lower it could be harder too so the reduction might need to reduce to .5mg and you stay on it longer before the next reduction - at least until you're symptom free. We are all different and you will get to know what works for you.

[Alliswellforever in reply to Telian]

Thank you!

[PMRCanada]

I have experienced both pred withdrawl (which takes about a week or so to settle down as body gets used to new dose), and a flare that appeared 5 days after I lowered my dose ( felt like increasing pain and stiffness in knees, shoulders, and neck). I’ve also experienced DOMS after doing too much physical activity with muscles that are already intolerant of accuse exercise. In that case healing and lessened symptoms took varying time to bounce back.

All three felt somewhat similar, the defining difference was when and what was going on before they emerged. It can be certainly confusing, but you will get better at figuring things out over time and listening to your body.

[Alliswellforever in reply to PMRCanada]

Thanks so much!

[HeronNS]

Are you using a slow taper method? i was dropping by 1 mg a week from 15 to 10, but when I tried going to 9 I had to stop tapering, go back to 10 for about two or three weeks then I started a very slow taper which works very well for me. "Dead slow nearly stop" And I think the 10 mg mark is a bit of sticking point for many.

[Alliswellforever in reply to HeronNS]

Dr. said from 10 to 9 or alternating for two weeks. I started at 15 for a month, then 12.5 for another month, then 10 yet another month. Now, I just started 9 for a month... and so on... I never imagined having to take Prednisone, let alone for a year or more... 😩 I certainly feel like a different person, but I also Look like a different person... 🍂

[HeronNS in reply to Alliswellforever]

You need to slow down that taper or you will be back at the beginning. The doctor is not the expert now, you are. Go by your symptoms. Never taper by more than 10% at a time, and at these lower dosages stay at each dose for at least four weeks.

[kay7954 in reply to HeronNS]

Absolutely, slow down. That was my biggest mistake. All I could think of is getting off this prednisone as quickly as possible. I was hit was a big flare this week and now back to 20 mg. It was said to me "this is not a race!" I am listening to the wise ones who have been where we are today.

[Alliswellforever]

I know! We are like desperate to end the race, right?! Thank you sweetheart! Get better, soon! 👍