Can she stop after 2 doses of pred at 50mg?

[Pippah45]

A friend has had a GCA scare but today was declared free of it as there are no blood markers. She is reluctant to believe she can stop after just two doses of prednisolone can anyone help please. I seem to think something like a week is OK to full stop but would like a second opinion! Thank you!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If it’s only be used for a day or two it should be okay. But I would suggest perhaps a daily - 40/30/20/10/5 stagger. Which is similar to your thoughts maybe?

But tell her to watch for any signals of withdrawal symptoms or Adrenal issues - and if she does to contact doctor immediately.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

She IS fine to just stop it after 2 days - someone just commented a baby was given 20mg for 3 days for a chest infection, relatively speaking a higher dose. Adrenal function is unlikely to have been affected after such a short time.

However - normal range markers do NOT rule out GCA, neither does a negative biopsy. So she does need to be aware of whatever the symptoms were that triggered the scare, did they improve on 50mg pred and do they return after stopping,

[Pippah45 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you very much for your reply - I was concerned that the diagnosis might come back to bite her bum as mine did with a vengeance - but I am sure she will be sensible and aware now.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Oops sorry - but the same applies, relatively a similar dose.

[Hidden]

When my Eldest Son, Martin was little, if his Asthma was bad he would have a short course of Prednisolone & it was always tapered down.

However, the Protocol changed & it became a 5day Course usually 30mg x 5days then stop.

As a baby/toddler/boy/teenager it was always 1mg per Kilogram of Body Weight

[Pippah45 in reply to Hidden]

My terrier was recently put on 10 mg Prednisolone for a week or 10 days and then a week at 5mg. She only weighs 12kg but she seemed better after it. Although the breathing problems that took me to the vet only happened very sporadically so I am not sure.

My friend has stopped the pred after two days so hopefully all will be OK.

[Canary77]

Perhaps you simply don't have GCA and the one off dose was a mistake? I hope so as true GCA can have very nasty returning symptoms and raised blood markers are often not a necessary diagnostic indication.