Have recently tapered to 7mg, been difficult, not sleeping, very emotional, mood swings, hell to live with. Anyway, made big mistake this morning, took 12mg instead of 7 (two 5’s instead of 1). Will I be ok to go back to the 7 tomorrow morning?
So glad there is someone to ask, Thankyou.
I think you will be fine! I did this on purpose once, to nip a flare in the bud. Your loved ones may just have to duck. The irritability is awful sometimes, reminiscent of pre-menstrual tension.
I can just about remember pre-menstrual tension, my OH used to say I should be locked in a cellar for a week! Was pretty bad. I thought I would be happy having reached 7mg, but I cry at the drop of a hat, hate feeling like this, hopefully only way is up, will go back to 7 tomorrow. Thankyou.
It is not a static condition. Your own Adrenal Glands have started to wake up. According to my Endo’s letter, going down more will help the process. According to my wise Rheumie, using a dead slow method. According to my GP “ come in for a chat” as I am getting conflicting advice I.e. fast says the Endocrinologist, at my own pace says the Rheumie. Mad balancing act. While we weep and snap. You are not alone. X
Makes all the difference to know we are not alone, trying very hard to be especially nice to my OH today!
Yes weeping and snapping.
Don’t worry Fifegran, just have a good day today & back to usual dose tomorrow!......
We’ve all done this one way or the other, or both & been OK!
And, in time for Hogmanay tonight! Cheers 🥃🥃
Happy New Year 🥳
Thankyou, feel reassured now. And in the best Scottish tradition, a Good New Year when it comes!
I just want to add a note of caution- could it be that you actually need more than 7mg. If you are feeling emotional etc. ? I become much more emotional whenever I flare due to having reduced too far. This happened just before Xmas and a couple of extra mgs of Pred did the trick.
I have wondered about that, have been using the slow method but struggled to get to 7 from 7.5, had to go back up a couple of times, have certainly been very emotional, Christmas never a good time for me though,
Just blamed time of year, but many thanks for your reply.
Hi,
It may be time of year - no matter whether we enjoy Christmas or not, it is stressful, plus reducing is seemingly more difficult during winter months (some wise Rheumies advise not to even try!).
Add in that anything around the figure you are at now is very often a struggle you end up with a triple whammy!
If you really struggled from 7.5to 7mg even using the slow method I would be inclined not to drop back down to that level again - initially. Why not try 8mg for a few weeks. It might feel a retrograde step, but if it makes you feel better in yourself then it’s worth it - for you and OH😳, and what’s 1mg between friends.
As we’re always saying, no point in taking the medication if you’re not taking enough! Listen to your body, and don’t be ruled by “the Plan” - you will get there, and so what if it takes a few months longer than you’d like, you need to feel as good as you can - and very often that’s only 1mg or even 0.5mg difference in dose!
Yes I have certainly had a few goes at 7 mgs. It can just click when the time is right.
Yes I think we’ve all experienced that ..pity the doctors don’t know it as well!
Good luck for next year ❤️
Happy New Year and thank you for all your precious wisdom! ❤️
DorsettLady,
As you said, my Rheumy advised me not to drop my Prednisone dosage in the Winter. I live in a very cold area. She is very wise indeed.
Must be the time of year! I completely forgot my dose the other day, for the first time in 4 years! Now I’m playing catch up 🙄. Have to blame it on the pandemonium of having my daughter, SIL & unrestrained grandchildren visiting for a week! I didn’t even attempt to keep order (quite liberating). but now there’s a ton of cleaning up to do! Happy new year 😊
I had a surprise visit from unrestrained grandkids who seldom visit and they enjoyed trying to catch cats who didn't want to be petted. They are 2 and 4 and the 2 year old did a lot of squealing which set things off even more. Ah the holidays. I crave serenity with PMR.
Should be a good day, much better than getting it the other way round 1mg instead of 5mg. That can be painful!!
I did the opposite, as you’ve described, I accidentally took 2mg too little!!😳 I take 9.5mg in 1mg tablets, split dose 7.5 at 2am in the dark and the other 2mg at 5pm.
I put all tabs in a shot glass on my night stand along with my frozen yogurt tube and glass of water. Thought I took full dose as usual but woke up stiff and shoulders were a bit sore. As the day wore on I was even more sore, despite taking my 2nd dose of 2mg at suppertime. Told my hubby it felt like I dropped a pill or two on the bedroom floor.
Sure enough, when I went to bed, I found 1pill stuck yo the bottom of the shot glass and another in the nightstand!! No wonder. So I took 1mg extra the next day to mop up any inflammation that developed in the 24 hours prior.
Lesson learned, I now sweep the bottom of the shot glass with my finger after taking my dose in the dark.
The emotional ups and down can be draining while on pred. I seem to be so sentimental, watching a 10 second video clip of my kids and new “grandkids” (son’s partner’s boys) decorating the tree brings tears. Same when I hear certain songs.
From what I’ve read, this gets better as the dose is lowered. You and your OH try to hang in there and do your best to make it through this stage.
Mistake
I made a meds mistake
Taken low dose by mistake 
Silly me
