Tapering

[Ryliefew123dogcat]

I have been trying to follow your advice and got to 17mgs and seem to be having a flare. Went to 20mgs still. Feel rough with bleary eyes fatigue sweats etc so now on 25mgs. How long should l stay on that?. I just have GCA. it takes so long to get any sense out of my reumy.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

How long have you been on pred? How fast have you reduced and from what dose?

[Ryliefew123dogcat in reply to PMRpro]

Started pred February of this year at 40mgs. Have been tapering slowly as advised by my reumy. Seemed ok till 17mgs.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Ryliefew123dogcat]

That is pretty speedy (by our standards at least). There is evidence that the inflammation underlying GCA symptoms is still active after 6 months on high dose pred, that means above 20mg. It is extremely likely yours is still active and you need at least 20mg.

I would be inclined to stay at 25mg until all those symptoms have subsided properly. If that is less than 10 days you can drop back to 20mg and see if that is still enough. Stay there at least a month to be sure it is enough and then reduce just 1mg at a time. You may get lower if you try that. Even 1/2mg can be the difference between being OK and not.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Ryliefew123dogcat]

40mg is minimum starting dose for GCA, and you have got down to 20mg quite quickly - so you’ve obviously gone past your required dose.

If you feel okay at 25mg, then suggest you stay at least 2 weeks - longer would probably be better.

Then maybe 2,5mg drops - monthly - until you reach 17.5mg - or maybe 2mg drops (to say 18mg) as you’re in Canada - not sure what the tablet sizes are there.

[Ryliefew123dogcat in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you both ladies for your advice. I will stay at 25 mgs for at least the next 2 weeks and see if l feel better. I don't know what l would do without you.

We have a long weekend in Ottawa and the weather is beautiful. I am going to try and enjoy it.My best to everyone.😍