Prednisone Tapering

[fishingnut]

Another question regarding tapering. I have had PMR since April 2018, a couple of rocky events with rheumys, but have tapered from 15 to 4 mg., feeling quite well. After 5 weeks of 4, I did an every other day taper to 3.5. But within a few days have had a substantial flare. Tried 6 yesterday and it still isn't quite handling it. What is the recommended increase to knock down a flare? I know all depends on my pain level, but generally speaking how long should I give myself to return to 4.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it were me, I would try adding 5mg for up to a week - so 9mg. Then go straight back to the last dose that was enough, no need to taper.

[fishingnut in reply to PMRpro]

Oh wow! Thanks for such a quick reply. And I like hearing that I don't need to taper.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to fishingnut]

That is the standard recommendation from the experts to deal with a flare due to overshooting the dose. It's what you try first - but you don't go back to the dose where the flare happened. You can have a flare because the disease activity increases and then you might need more pred - but if it is just from reducing too far, you shouldn't need more than to go back to the previous dose.