Tapering

[barbthy]

Trying to taper - went from 5 to 4.5 using DSNS method. Was fair with new shoulder discomfort. Tried to go to 4 and couldn't move without pain and so stiff. Went back to 5 and felt better. Been 2.5 years since diagnosis. Guess I'll stay at 5. See rheumy next month and she wants me off or on methotrexate which I am fighting.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Good idea to stay at 5mg. At 2.5 years in that sounds -to most of us on here - a good place to be. Very little in the side effect line - which is what people worry about.

Don’t really see the sense of adding in MTX as you’ve done so well to date.

Your Rheumy should be pleased where you are without adding in another drug - but unfortunately they seem to live on a different planet.

Try and repel the suggestion as best you can !

You can always elongate the DSNS taper if required.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you have achieved 5mg on your own there really is no justification in adding methotrexate and its attendant potential side effects. 5mg is what is called a physiological dose - similar to the amount of corticosteroid the body requires to function and which it produces naturally in the form of cortisol. Reduce the pred and the body must produce more - and that is as much a part of the reduction process as anything,

[piglette]

My rheumie suggested that when I get to 5mg to hang on there for two or three months to let my body sort out the adrenal glands etc.