Hit a snag..

[jaycee444]

Initially diagnosed in April this year and 15mg Prednisolone sorted the pain quickly. Stayed on 15 mg for 7 weeks and have been reducing by 1mg per month since then. Was ok till I tried to reduce from 12mg to 11mg. after a week on the new dose the old familiar pain was creeping back in first thing in the morning. I have now gone back to taking 12mg in the hope that things will stabilize. How long should I stay at this dose before I try reducing again (which I will do in half mg drops from now on?)

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

I would stay at least 2-3 weeks, but a month may be better just to be sure.

Good idea then to go to smaller tapers- and good luck.

[Hidden]

I always liked 4 weeks and most times it stuck. So good luck!🌻

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I also prefer the idea of a month - but it may be you have been overdoing it too. Often it is just a case of waiting a month or two and trying again until it works - it usually does eventually!

[Blearyeyed]

A month before trying again is better , as although you may not have gone into a full Flare , you have been sensible and returned to the old dose after what I call a ' Warning Flare'.

You body needs time to feel comfortable again before you try again , a month of balancing , extra fluids , lots of vitamins and minerals and after a few weeks light exercise to get strong for the next step down again.

[piglette]

The others have given good advice. You seem to be doing well so far though. Do not drop again until you feel OK. The rule of thumb is don’t reduce more than 10%. A small reduction that works is better than a large one that doesn’t!! It sounds like you have a good doctor who is not pushing you to reduce all the time. I had a rheumie who only gave me 5mg pred tablets so I had to reduce in 5mg drops, it was a total disaster. He is now an ex rheumie.

[jaycee444]

Thanks to you all for your advice. Thought things were going so well. Just goes to show you cant dictate to PMR - it dictates to you!