Tapering gone to pot

[Lancashirelass07]

Hi all, after being on 15 mg. since Monday ,have today gone back to 17 1/2 mg could feel stiff neck and shoulders starting again. Feel a bit down about it , is this normal?

How long should I stay at this dose before trying again .

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Until you feel OK - but next time try just 1mg. Some people just can't cope with 2,5mg at a time. It also depends a bit how long you have been on pred - sometimes it takes longer for the disease activity to go down enough to be able to reduce well.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Having looked at your past posts - you almost certainly need longer at the dose that works, 3 weeks to get from 20mg to 15mg is far too fast. Good doctors leave you at the starting dose for 4 to 6 weeks - and there is a good reason for that.

[Hidden]

If I remember correctly...you were recently diagnosed and put on 20mg prednisolone...am I right?

If so and it has not yet been 4 weeks since you started pred, it might be too early to taper....especially at a drop of 5 mg!

My gp dropped 2.5mg after 4 weeks and it didnt work for me either. We worked together and agreed to stay on a set dose for 10 weeks before dropping again.

I would read the Dorset ladyship pinned tapering post. Hopefully it will help u get an idea of how to reduce slowly and successfully

[PMRpro Ambassador]

This is my slow taper:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

But FIRST you must get the inflammation down. Were your blood markers raised? If so, have they been checked since you started pred?

[Lancashirelass07 in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks

[Christophene]

Yes it's normal. Mood is effected too.