My experience on dosage reduction: Having reduced... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

21,229 members40,252 posts

My experience on dosage reduction

HamishPMR profile image
10 Replies

Having reduced from 20mg Prednisolone daily by 2.5mg every 4 weeks I then became more attentive of how I felt. Although NICE does not suggest reducing in 0.5mg stages, I decided, having read many useful posts on PMRGCAuk, to reduce slowly. I am now at 5.5mg daily and the average time per 1mg reduction has been 5 weeks. My plan now is to carry on but even more slowly, and then even more slowly as I approach ground zero. Perhaps a tip to ask your GP for plenty 1mg tablets so you can split them to acheive the dose you require, why not a quarter, 0.25mg, when you are close to zero?

Written by
HamishPMR profile image
HamishPMR
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
10 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Well done you!

Something some of us oldies have been banging on about for years - slowly really is the only sure way.

Perhaps there is us something in the saying about “ not telling your grandmother how to suck eggs”. Or as my mother used to say - “no point getting old if you don’t get artful with it!”

Louisepenygraig profile image
Louisepenygraig in reply toDorsetLady

I like that last saying!

Louisepenygraig profile image
Louisepenygraig

I agree. I think my GP wanted me to reduce quite quickly - 15 to 10 initially! I learnt the hard way that doesn't work! I'm halfway from 10.5 to 10 now and am hoping it will be OK. When I saw a rheumy in the summer I was back at 15 - he said to reduce by 1 mg a time down to 11, then go by halves. I have a pill cutter now which makes it easier. I have been wondering how feasible quarters would by but I guess they'd be quite small bits and I'd be in danger of losing them!

Dewdrop456 profile image
Dewdrop456 in reply toLouisepenygraig

My new pill cutter is disappointily useless , .I too wanted quarters but the tablets crumble.I cut the halfs with a knife at the moment.Its a shame as it would be helpful to be able to have proper quarters.Good luck to you.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDewdrop456

Doesn't matter - it is still LESS...

Telian profile image
Telian

Congratulations- be proud!

JulianJ profile image
JulianJ

I'm taking gastro resistant pred. Lets me drop in 0.5mg steps, will be a pain when I hit 2mg, but that's for later on.

Ghshth3 profile image
Ghshth3

That is what I did. When I got to 1mg I started reducing by 0.25mg. It is much less painful that way if you are sensitive to any steroid reduction, which I was.

Noosat profile image
Noosat

Just something I noticed. I have reduced to 5mg in morning and 2,5 before bedtime. Last night, about 2.30p.m. I woke with thigh pain, not unbearable but definitely pain, I got up went to bathroom and then back to bed. I found after this movement that the pain had definitely modified to just a little discomfit. Has anyone else experienced this effect? I wonder if standing up and moving helped blood circulation wish helped moderate pain.

yogabonnie profile image
yogabonnie

Have you always taken the prednisone 2 x a day? I think most take it in the morning. perhaps that is part of it?

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Dosage reduction

Following on from my post a month ago, this is where I am now. Continued with 10 mg daily until I...

Reduction of Prednisolone Dosage

I have been on Pred for 10 months. I am experiencing various side effects including weight gain (1...
craighead72 profile image

Dosage Dilemma

Diagnosed with PMR/GCA 2 and half years ago. Managed to reduce steroid to 4mg Prednisilone by mid...
Jantayl profile image

Rheumatologist still insisting on a quick reduction of steroids

Hello Everyone I have had to increase my Prednisolone to 4mgs due to some symptoms returning. Now...
ValFF53 profile image

steroid reduction

How on earth do people cope with steroid reduction the doctors way i.e. no slowly catchy monkey....
kingharold11 profile image

Moderation team

SophieMB profile image
SophieMBPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.