A 50% reduction in pred.

[PJarret]

Around two weeks ago I posted that my rheumatologist cut my prednisone from 5 mgs to 2.5 mgs. I had several comments from this forum about going down too quickly and too much. Still at the end of two weeks I am doing fine, but have added more exercises with weights--now about 45 minutes MWF. Since this was my fourth bout with PMR since 2002, I thought it might be too little too. Pleasantly surprised so far....

[Blearyeyed]

Really glad that the taper was successful for you.

You stuck at it and as an experienced sufferer any tips or tricks you have learnt before have clearly helped you to succeed.

Do you have any other tips for people make those last few steps that have helped you before and now that might help others succeed with that last 5 mgs too?

I'm sure everyone would like some suggestions from the 5-2.5mg Club.

Well done and take care xxx

[PJarret]

Thanks, Blearyeyed! I don't have any tips that I haven't seen posted by other people. This time was a little different for me because I went without prednison from September of last year until this mid-March. The pain was agonizing, but I had to bear it because I was scheduled for surgery for which no steroids could be in my body. I think I was lucky to go from a month of of 10 mlgs to five for three weeks and then down to 2.5. Exercise and diet are different now--maybe that's all there is to it--low carbs, high protein, veggies and some fruit with Greek yogurt for snacks. I hope this helps.

[Hidden]

Keeping my fingers crossed that this continues. A couple of years ago I think another member did similar and I think it was ok.

[PJarret in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Poopadoop!

[PMRnewbie2017]

So to confirm you were pred free for seven months then short blast of ten before getting to below endogenous cortisol levels? I wonder could it be that your body's ability to make cortisol was not wholly shut down by the time on 10mg.

I know of many Crohns and asthma patients who dip in and out of steroid use and sometimes for a few months in the case of Crohns, who don't get our problems with dose reduction.

[SheffieldJane]

Long may it continue......maybe finally your body is getting ready to go it alone!

Did you do the lovely stained glass?

[PJarret in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thanks for the reply.

I did do the art and it is colored pencil of a corner of my garden.

[Jackoh]

Do hope this is successful for you and you will be able to fully taper and come off Pred.