Tapering from 3mg Pred

[cassie1208]

I’ve had PMR for a few years now. I have been on 3mg Prednisolone for two weeks and feel ok after a slow taper I’ve got this far.

I will talk to my doctor about what he suggests but I would appreciate any advice on my way forward.

Thank you

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Continue with very slow taper - 0.5mg every month or so. It appears to have worked so far, so good. But I do mean SLOW taper!

As you were on 50mg 6 months ago for suspected GCA, I wouldn’t say it’s been a slow taper to date. Plus I see you’ve already got down to zero once, and had to restart Pred because of a reoccurrence - you really need to take it very steady this time around.

Go slowly, and hopefully you will be successful this time.

[cassie1208 in reply to DorsetLady]

Yes thanks for your advice - I really need to slow up and take it easy

[HeronNS in reply to cassie1208]

It took me a year to get from 3 mg to 1.5 (having taken one year to get from 15 to 3). And when I attempted to keep going to 1 I flared and it has taken me two years to get back to attempting to get to 1 again. (I only have PMR.)

[Yellowbluebell]

If i was in your atage of tapering i would be doing it as slowly as possible. You have do e so well why rush and ruin things now. Good luck.

[Lee1945]

Please be guided by your Consultant. My GP wanted to reduce my Pred too quickly. Fortunately I spoke with the Consultant who said to reduce by only 1 mg per MONTH to allow the body to adapt and avoid the yo-yo effect when you get flares from rushing the reduction.

My final dose stayed at 1 mg for two months with no problems at all.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

This is such a low dose please don't rush - and at this stage I'd say 1mg per month was rushing!! For successful tapering a maximum reduction step that is 10% of the current dose is recommended. Below 5mg that is 1/2mg (preferably less but that is difficult to achieve). You can spread the reduction over an extended period - several slow tapers are in circulation - and that helps.

It isn't just PMR/GCA symptoms returning at this level - it is also allowing your adrenals time to get into gear that is important. So SLOW, SLOW, SLOW ...

[marigoldb in reply to PMRpro]

That’s really helpful, as I am at 3mg also, and on the enteric coated and have the 2.5mg tabs to take. By the way I have just had open heart surgery at Harefield Hospital for a new aortic valve and a single by pass.i know they gave extra steroid over the op time, so think maybe I should stay at 3 for a bit longer. I am just 5 weeks post op, not been an easy journey, have to be patient for some time I know. But I can get to top of my stairs at night without puffing! Still awful tiredness, pmr and post op fatigue as well.

I am 83, and feel I am very fortunate to have had the chance of this repaired heart. I shall make the most of my improved health, as I have plenty of interests, and only retired from the nhs myself at 80, working just one day a week.

I do have my blue badge, as following back surgery twice for spinal stenosis, I cannot walk more than 50 yds without a stop, and do use a stick. But I do enjoy life, and although I have friends who can do a lot more with walking etc, I think I’ve learned to count my blessings and make the most of what I can do, not always easy though. I am widowed and live alone, and although 5 years down the line, still miss him a lot.

Must stop and get some sleep, fell asleep downstairs for 2 hours when meant to be watching a film! Oh well!

Best wishes to all strugglers with long term conditions, keep positive!

[HeronNS in reply to marigoldb]

As I've posted elsewhere recently it took me a year to get from 3 mg to 1.5 mg, and that was two years ago and I'm still at about that dose, but now steadily creeping down to 1 mg at last, fingers crossed! I am, I think, the epitome of slowness when it comes to pred taper and I do recommend it if you have any doubts at all that you aren't ready to taper faster.