GP now on board with Pred back up to 7mg

[Julesster84]

I visited my GP who is an awesome female internist! I have been back up to 7mg now almost 2 weeks and still have a dull pain when I wake up but still there. i know I should step down but it must be different for everyone. I have both the 1MG and 4MG preds to step down effectively....what would you guys do? I dont want it back and now realize that it is still there, so if there a true method or just step down by 1/2 or a full mg every two weeks? I have stopped going to rheumy as she has abandoned her practice....Went out of country for last 3 months and turned all her patients over to her other drs in the practice. This disease is the strangest thing I have experienced but determine to get to the smallest dosage for me to live pain free. I should be starting to drop now but cautious for it to return. HELP

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you sure that 7mg isn't the place you need to be for the present? Everyone needs a different dose - and a return of pain and other symptoms is a sign you have gone too far. I certainly wouldn't be tapering at the rate you suggest because I think you will just go back where you were. At this level 1/2mg every 3 or 4 weeks makes more sense - you can't fight PMR, it always wins. It doesn;t mean you won't get lower, just not yet.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Why must you step down?

If 7mg is what you need, it's what you need. Full stop, end of!

Doesn’t mean you won’t get lower - maybe next month, maybe 3 months time - but not right now.

[Marijo1951]

I recently tried to taper from 6.5 mg to 6 mg and had a tremendous increase in pain and stiffness in my shoulders. I went back to 6.5 mg and the pain is now minimal and I can move my arms pretty freely. I don't see the point of soldiering on for the sake of 0.5 mg. I'll try to reduce again in a few weeks.