Post Infection taper

[mtrafter]

Hi, just getting over bad respiratory infection, was on 6mg pred prior to illness, upped it to 7.5 for 1 week GP upped it to 10 mg have been on this for 2wks, am completing my third course of antibiotics and am on the mend finally. My question I guess I need to start to taper again should I reduce to 7.5mg for 2wks as Rheumatologist advised and then 5mg ( as if thats going to happen!) Or go back to DSNS method that I had used successfully.

Uncertain if 2.5 mg drop is too much. I must admit from a PMR point of view I feel fabulous no pain, no stiffness am liking this very much!

Am off to Spain in 4 wks and want to be comfortable in my taper regime so I can enjoy my much needed break in the sunshine. Winter i Melbourne is not much fun.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Although you should be able to drop back down to 7.5mg theoretically, it might be pushing it in your case especially with a long flight looming!

If DSNS proved successful, then stick with that, what works, works!

Enjoy your holiday - I guess you got your insurance sorted.

[mtrafter in reply to DorsetLady]

What about trying going to 8 mg then sticking with DSNS method from there, thanks as always for your support. Still working on my insurance 2 more knock backs waiting on a response from Great Lakes.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to mtrafter]

You could try, but make sure the 10mg gets things back under control first.

Good luck.

[jinasc]

As DL says, if DSNS was working for you, which it does for most people, stick with it.

After a course of anti-biotics, which knock out the good guys as well as the bad. It helps a lot if you can take VSL#3 (billions of good guys) which means they have a head start over the bad guys.

It is expensive, but I had been in hospital and things went a bit awry and a Consultant reccommended this saying 'I am sorry but it is unavailable on the NHS'. I bought 10 packets and within a few days noticed a big difference in how I felt. I keep the remaining packets in the fridge, just in case I get given an anti-biotic in future.

[mtrafter in reply to jinasc]

Have been taking probiotics, not as strong as the ones you suggested but Im sure they have helped.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

2.5mg with DSNS should work - try it. It was designed partly to be used by people on enteric coated pred which, in those days only came in 5 and 2.5 doses and can't be cut.

If it doesn't work you can say you did try! Then go back to 1mg reductions.

[SheffieldJane]

I would definitely dsns taper - tried and true and gentle. Enjoy your sunny break!