Advice on tapering please

[slewis]

I successfully reduced to 4.5mgs a day using DSNS and was OK.

Then I got a bug, nasty cough, feeling sick and very tired. After a week with little improvement I consulted my GP. He thought my system couldn't fight off this problem and advised me to double my dose for a while. I'm now much better, but he says to stay on 10mgs until I feel quite well, and then start reducing slowly.

So my question is, do I need to reduce at the very slow rate again, or can I go a little faster, since I've done it before.

I would appreciate advice.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Provided you do feel much better, and bugs have all gone you should be able to drop back down quite quickly. Maybe to 5mg?? - but certainly to 7.5mg. It works for some, but the last thing you want to do is go too quickly and set up a yo-yo scenario.

Unusual to hear a GP being so conservative!

Up to you really!

[slewis in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for that encouraging advice. I'll try 7.5 soon.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I agree with DL - there is no reasons why you can't at least try 7.5 for a week and do a bit faster taper after, even trying 5mg straight away. At this stage the slow taper is as much for the adrenals' sake as the PMR but unless the cold has poked the PMR into life it should be fine. I don't think I have ever raised the dose for a cold and have been fine.