Increasing the Pred.

[LemonZest11]

After about 10 days of self-pity regarding my increased CRP and ESR, and after all our encouraging and kind words of support, I have bitten the bullet and increased the pred to 15mgs. I was lingering on 6.5 but, as predicted by some, the PMR won this round and so early hours this morning I took the bloody 15mgs and today I can really feel the difference, so yes, PMR you win this time!! Question is, how long do I stay on 15mgs for? This is my second flare and I have been back through my notes to see that my last taper was too rapid (yes, you were all correct again). Last time I only increased to 10mgs and only stayed there a few days. Any advice gratefully received ... can I go by 2.5 back to 10 and then begin the very slow taper? Thanks for any help xx. By the way, just read through this and can’t correct what should read “all your encouraging and kind words”.

[LemonZest11]

Sorry for that other glaring grammatical error ... should read, for how should I stay on 15mgs?

[SheffieldJane in reply to LemonZest11]

If you tap below your post on “more” you get “ edit” which gives you the opportunity to make corrections/additions/delete. Then you tap to confirm on the banner and it’s done. Despite this, most of my howlers get through.

As for your taper, be guided by your symptoms, let them settle, then taper, never more than 10% of your dose. Use a pill cutter for 0.5 drops to zero.

[LemonZest11 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Oh thanks Jane, I wasn’t aware but I’m sure I will forget and continue to destroy the English language in my typical colonial way! I am an English teacher, so you would think that I would know better, but I did struggle with the ability to make changes. Yes, I have really learn’t about the 0.5mg taper. I just need to stick with each taper long enough to be sure. Thank you for always being there, as are the others. Xx

[SheffieldJane in reply to LemonZest11]

Autocorrect makes a complete fool of me.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about flare.

One suggestion - stay at 15mg for at least a week, then depending on how quickly you have caught things you can either drop back to 10mg in one go if you’re brave enough, or in two stages of 2,5mg (staying at 12,5mg for about 5-7 days) if you’d feel safer that way. Second action might be better as it’s your second flare in quick succession.

Then back to slow taper at 0.5mg a time.

Good luck, and as you’ve realised no rushing!

[LemonZest11 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you DorsetLady, I thought I remembered you saying that the drop back to 10mgs needn’t be as slow. Not brave enough to go with one drop so will attempt the 2.5mgs, sitting there for a week, as you suggested, and if all is OK, continue from there. I’m learning ...

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LemonZest11]

Seems fair - you just should nver drop back to the previous dose - always above it. It does depend on how long you had been staying at doses - if you move every couple of weeks you don't know if you are still at a safe dose.

[LemonZest11 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, I will drop to 10. How long do you propose staying at a dose? My plan is to be more restrained.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to LemonZest11]

I think a month is right - providing the steps down are small ...

[LemonZest11 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, I really respect and appreciate the advice offered here. 🤞

[yogabonnie]

don't be too hard on yourself OR Prednisone. think of it as a partnership to heal your inflammation!!! And I should think you can go back to 10 if you were good there and then taper dead slow nearly stop!

[LemonZest11 in reply to yogabonnie]

Thanks yogabonnie. Xx