Reducing preds

[Mattiemoo]

Hi - I've been on prednisone since Monday,started on 30mg and the next day doc told me to go to 20mg,I've had bloods taken and the markers have gone down from 130 to 30. I have a chest infection which the doc gave me antibiotics but haven't taken them and am just doing the normal steaming etc,She wants me to drop to 15mg from Monday and re take bloods on Wednesday,I'm thinking that I'd prefer to go to 17.5mg, any advice.... Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I assume you are on the pred for the chest infection? If so, that is a perfectly usual way to reduce the pred dose. We are all on pred for a chronic condition so have been on higher doses for months quite often, Then you need to reduce more slowly but for an acute problem it is fine and better for you in the long run.

[SnazzyD]

Hello, if the doc gave you antibiotics because they could hear problems in your lungs and you have symptoms suggesting a bacterial chest infection, I would probably take the antibiotics. The reason is that steroids suppress your immune system and are usually used along side the antibiotics to help with inflammation from the infection. I would let your doc know you’re not taking them.