taper from 10 to 9

[composition]

yesterday my rheumatologist told me to go to 9 mg., for one month and see what happens. I know from this site, slow, slow, slow is the caution. My cortisol level is at 2 but I see the endocrinologist in June [think they anticipate I'll be down to 5 by then]....any thoughts? started 2 yrs ago at 20, one setback months ago going from 10 to 7.5, so back to 10. Have issues with spinal compression fractures thought to be from steroids, but they did find hemangiomas [had them in my liver years ago and had to have surgery] in the spine that could be causing that so who knows.......

[jinasc]

You could look at the DSNS tapering plan (Topics, right hand side of pafe Tapering Steroids)

That would take you down from 10mg to 9 mg within the month and it also has advice as to what to look for............a bit of research has been done on that plan by a leading researcher into GCA and PMR. You were advised to always check with your GP. It is and continues to be successful.

Slow, steady and with a safeguard.

[Hidden in reply to jinasc]

Luckily I had just pasted the post for someone else...so...

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[jinasc in reply to Hidden]

Ta....................xx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

At this dose the cortisol level is misleading - you are on more pred than the amount of corticosteroid the body requires to function. You might be at 5mg by June - but since it is only less than 3 months I think you are not likely to achieve that 5mg drop somehow. The recommendations from endocrinologists are not more than 10% of the current dose. So 1mg at a time under 10mg is often successful But as you get lower the % increases for 1mg.