Tapering prednisolone

[Caradomben]

Hi I am on a tapering regime . Started at

25mgs in January reducing 2.5mgs every 2 weeks till 10mgs then 1mg a month from March. I was doing great .. no pain. 3 days ago I went from 9 mgs to 8mgs . Pain starting again in hips, shoulders and hands. Should I go back to 9mgs for a few weeks. Any suggestions would be grateful

[Maisiek]

Hi I’m doing the same with the dead slow method and have noticed a pattern. Two weeks say 9/8 alternately them 2 weeks 8, then 2 weeks 8/7. Then 2 weeks 7 and so on. The first 2 weeks I’m back to night sweats, achey shoulders and hips , irritable! so I take parAcetamol as needed, then the second couple of weeks I’m ok. I’m sure the experts will advise. Good luck ! X

[Caradomben in reply to Maisiek]

Thanks I was thinking of the alternate days . Is that 9 one day and 8 the next ?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I would yes - before it gets too bad and then that might just be enough. Leave it long and you might have to go higher to control it. Wait a month or so and try again - and possibly do just 1/2mg at a time and use one of the slowed tapering approach, you will reduce the same amount in a month but it isn't such a shock to the system. The top post on the Pinned posts at the side/bottom of the page summarises the various tapering plans we talk about.

[Caradomben in reply to PMRpro]

Thank will have a look at slow tapering plans

[GOOD_GRIEF]

I'd go back to 9 for a couple of weeks, then look to reduce by 0.5mg every 4 weeks as a pace. Give yourself 5-7 days to adjust each time. If the pain increases instead of diminishing after 5-7 days, go back up a step and sit there for a couple of weeks before you try again. Diminishing pain is withdrawal and should dissipate. Increasing or steady pain is a flare. Eventually you'll find a dose where your symptoms are steady and under control. Sit there for a good long time before trying another 0.5mg reduction.

Bear in mind that when you plan a reduction, you should be prepared to scale activities way back so you don't mistake overdoing for PMR symptoms.