Hold or Drop dose?

[Boss302Fan]

After today I will have completed week 5 @ 6 mg/d per DL’s Simple Taper with no adverse effects. Is it recommended I continue for an additional week at 6 mg, or go ahead and attempt week 1 @ 5.5 mg/d?

[SnazzyD]

Personally I used to wait at least two weeks on a new dose to make sure it was ok. Lower down sometimes I waited a month and I also did 0.5mg.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

I found I could go straight from one into the next one - but on occasions I stay an extra week.

It might be wise to give it another week if you’re not sure.

[Boss302Fan in reply to DorsetLady]

This would be my first 0.5 mg drop, been doing 1 mg. 6 mg is where I was when I had my second flare, but it was in week 3 of the taper on Wednesday. Jumped back to 10 and reduced my way back down at an accelerated pace until got to 6 (took 4 weeks) then adhered to the taper schedule.

Rheumy believes after 10mg that 1 mg reductions are small enough. After 6 mg I’m doing 0.5 mg whether it’s starting this week or next.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Boss302Fan]

“Official” tapers says after 10mg reduce by 1mg every 1 or 2 months depending on patient!

Plus if you also follows the not more than 10% reduction of current dose you are following “the rules”.

Rheumy may consider otherwise, but I think you do what you are comfortable with.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Boss302Fan]

It isn't what the rheumy THINKS that matters - its what works for you!

[TheMoaningViolet]

I was at a similar stage a few weeks ago (reducing from 7mg to 6mg with DL 5-week protocol). I stayed on 6mg for 3 weeks. Since I was feeling well all the time, I decided it was time to try dropping by 0.5mg to 5.5mg. I am in the middle of week 3 now (DL method). I have DOMS this morning (we went on a country walk and I carried a rucksack which was a little bit too much for me), but other than that I feel remarkably well. I get headaches with tapers, but this time, it was a lot less than usual. However, I am intending to go straight into the 5mg taper. If it all goes well, this we'll allow me to drop 1mg over a 10-week period. Perhaps I am taking a small risk, but I want to give it a go. I may linger at 5mg for a few weeks afterwards, but we'll see what my rheumatologist suggests as I am due to see her at the end of the taper anyway. My instinct is to go slowly but adjust the approach as the dose gets lower taking into account how each taper goes. I feel that 5mg is a dose so low, the benefits of being patient and giving it time must hugely outweigh the risks of racing towards the lower figures.