Feeling anxious! Just tapered from 5mg of prednisone to 4.5mg of prednisone using the DSNS method. Have not felt well for two days. Headache and arm pain. Tired and just feeling out of sorts.
How do I know if this is my adrenals trying to kick in or a flare? Hate to let this go too long or should I wait it out? Would appreciate all your wonderful advice.
It could be steroid withdrawal. Have you tried otc painkillers... Full dose for a couple of days? You may well need to take several attempts to drop at this stage. It sometimes took 2 or 3 attempts at single doses for me and my rheumies says some get stuck at 5mg for a while. So try and have a few weeks where every thought and concern isn't about tapering...and relax. Let us know how you get on.
Thank you. This journey is so hard.
It certainly has its moments!
I've been stuck on 4 mg for two years. I try to drop a gram every now and again but quick, extra pain, kicks in immediately.😬
I thimk my rheumy would be more than happy with that. He says most of his patients that hit a wall, hit it at 5mg.
I did!😂 I was on 5mg for about 18 months. Two drops of 1/2mg got me to 4mg. Doc did say I'd probably be on that for life.
~My Rheumie has said exactly the same Poop and thinks around 4.5mg/5mg OK long term - its just the wild ride getting to this dose and what follows: i.e. a flare or withdrawals - not easy to tell the difference sometimes.
I may be in the same boat.
It could be withdrawal, the anxious feelings are part of it. Give it another couple of days, if you can bear it, it may just settle. Alternatively, you may have just over-shot your best dose, so go back to 5 mgs. and stay there for a couple of weeks. Adrenal recovery is a long tedious process in my experience. It began at about 7 mgs and tapering felt much harder from then on down. Sometimes I think I was too cautious because I’d had a relatively easy ride before 7 mgs. Good luck!
Thank you for your good advice. I’m so lucky to have you for the times I feel lost.
I tapered from 5 to 4.5mg. five days ago, but I was on 5 for two and a half months due to lots happening in my life. If you have only just tapered, then it is quite possibly withdrawal pain. That is what my experience has been. The couple of flares I’ve experienced have come over two weeks later so still have that milestone to pass. As Poopadoopy advised try otc painkillers for a couple of days if you can. I do hope your pain settles soon and you can continue on you journey. All the best 🌻🌻🤞
Thank you. All your support really helps.
If it were me, I would go to 5mg for few days ( less then a week ) and hopefully it will all clear up. You can drop right back to 4.5 directly and if the symptoms come back then you know you have gone too far too soon.
Great idea. Thanks nick001.
I’ve been stuck on 5mg for a long time. I did manage to drop to 4mg just before Christmas, but felt so ill my GP told me to go back to 5mg .
I’m in pain now but staying at 5 , and am attempting to drop half a mg one day per month at the moment.
You’re certainly aware of that too, it’s crazy .
Good luck , the slower the better for you.
Thanks. Trying to stay at 4.5 for a couple of more days and if pain is too much, I’ll go back to 5mg. Everyone has been so helpful. It makes going through this so much easier. ❤️
I was stuck at 6 for a very long time. Got down to 4 at one point last fall, but other issues kicked in and I am back at 5, my new normal. Will try for 4.5 again this spring. As long as I can just accept that 5 is what it takes for now and that the lowest dose is the issue, I'm fine. This is not a fight to get rid of pred in my life, just to keep PMR at bay. I'm also grateful that 5 is enough and my adrenals are probably functioning to supplement as I am not fatigued at that dose. Take your time and, if going back to 5 after a week or so of trying it out is what does the trick, so be it. Try again later. Good luck!
Thank you all! I stayed on 4.5 today and pain is better but not gone. Have had liver issues twice so I didn’t take a Tylenol. Will go back up to five if not better in a few days. You all have made me relax and that helps too. ❤️
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