Tapering and having a flare

[Sufromtheblock]

I have been on prednisolone for about 14 months and have managed to get down to 2mg and 1.5mg on different days without too many problems. However in the last three weeks I am getting pains in my buttocks and top of my thighs as well as the tops of my arms which isn't usual. When I reduce I usually get a pulling in my shoulders and sometimes the top of my arms which goes after a few days. I have increased my dose to 2.5 - this was the last dose that worked for me and have been taking this for the last ten day now. Although it has decreased the symptoms they are still there in the background. I think that I may need to take a higher dose to clear this up totally, but what dose and for how long? I am really reluctant to increase as even being on Pred for a comparitively short time to lots of others, I have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis and was pre diabetic although I am careful what I eat because of high Cholestrol and am not overweight. My skin has also suffered badly and I am reluctant to go on a higher dose for a long time and taper down again. Sorry to go on when I know that some of you are in a much worse position than I am but I would be most grateful for any advice that can help.

Best wishes to all of my fellow sufferers and stay safe.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Might be worth trying the usual recommendation - add 5mg to the dose you last felt good at - so 7.5mg in your case for 5-7 days. Then drop back down to 2,5mg- although 3mg may be better as you’ve proved that 2.5mg isn’t quite enough.

[Sufromtheblock in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks for replying. I think I am going to try 3mls for a week and see how I go from there.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sufromtheblock]

You would probably be better trying at least 5mg for 2-3 days and going back to 3mg - creeping up the dose rarely works to clear out the accumulated inflammation causing the return of symptoms.

[Sufromtheblock in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, will try and report back. Appreciate all of the advice given.

[Sufromtheblock in reply to DorsetLady]

Sorry, misread your post first time. So my reply to you probably didn't make much sense.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Sufromtheblock]

No it didn't! So either my or PMRpro’s advice.

[Sufromtheblock in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks.