Thank you PMR forum!

[bakingD]

Just wanted to say after a year of battle with my Rheumatologist who kept wanting to put me on Methotrexate he is now so v happy am on 4.5 mg Pred, to stay on that until after Xmas then try a half mg dose reduction.Plus have just cycled across Costa Rica raising money for 3 women’s cancers,a total 222 miles.This forum has really helped my confidence to persevere with Pred so thank you (PMR since May 2018)

[HeronNS]

Well done you!

[Boss302Fan]

I’m having the same battle. So, you got down to 4.5mg/d without MTX and still not taking it?

Also, did you hit any type of “transition wall” as you decreased as the Adrenals started to wake up. If so, how was that managed? Increased Pred dose slightly (e.g., by 0.25mg), supplement Pred with Ibuprofen, or just dealt with the added discomfort...and lastly, if applicable, how long did the transition last?

Thanks

[bakingD in reply to Boss302Fan]

Hi there,yes I did hit a bad patch about 6 months ago,was in more pain and stiffness and did increase by 2 mg for a few days several times over.Everyone is different but I find it easier to drop by half a mg and then keep that dose for several weeks to ket my body adjust,and give it at least 2 weeks before you decide to increase.I also find the odd bit of paracetamol helps with inflammation.Hope that helps.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Very well done!! On all counts.

[Blearyeyed]

Amazing , did you tell everyone about your cycle run and I missed it , do you have a website or something I could donate to ?

[bakingD in reply to Blearyeyed]

Hi Thanks my webpage is : justgiving.com/fundraising/... It was amazing and exhausting!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to bakingD]

Have just edited it to give the link - they must be preceded and followed by a space or they don't work.

[Highlandtiger]

Brilliant. Very well done!

[Gary1310]

So how to reduce by .5 mg? Do you cut 1mg pill? Such a tiny pill. I am at 3 mg. Now, Then Dec.2 mg. Jan., 1 mg......then stop. I might be on vacation so thought I would continue .5 till I get home. Maybe 1 mg. every other day.....

[katiemills in reply to Gary1310]

You can get 2.5 mg tablets .

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Gary1310]

In the UK you can get 2.5mg tablets, 5mg tablets are probably easier to cut in half than 1mg tablets. Using 2.5 and 1mg tablets you can adjust dose by 0.5mg a time down to 2mg.

The DSNS taper was partly developed to take 1mg steps into account:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

Bit like alternate days - but much gentler. 1mg daily to 1mg alternate days is a 50% change in dose.

[Gary1310 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you

[Hidden]

Congratulations!!! 🌻

[Lochy]

Fantastic effort. The cycle must have been hard but great sense of achievement. I look forward to when I might be able to do that! X

[Marilyn1959]

Congrats on your amazing achievements!

[PMRCanada]

Wonderful news....you’ve done very well. I too was diagnosed in May/18, however I’ve experienced 2 flares that set me back, so I’m at 9.5mg, with hopes of reducing further (and slower). Can’t say I can bike 222 miles, hooray for you and your accomplishments. So glad the forum has been helpful. Hope your “ride” continues to be smooth!

[bakingD in reply to PMRCanada]

Thanks v much -am sure you will get there too and hope you can get a bit lower soon