How to proceed

[Singr]

Sometimes I feel like the fog brings with it learning and processing difficulty. When I looked at the dead slow and stop withdrawal process I was obviously in one of those mind funks. I’ve misunderstood what I was reading. I’ve done 1 day reduced dose, 6 days higher dose, 2 days reduced dose, 5 days higher dose. I’m now on 6 days lower dose I day higher dose. If you can get your head round that how would you suggest I proceed from here?

[nickm001]

Try this... it is not that complicated

dead slow and nearly stop

1 day reduced dose 6 day higher dose

1 day reduced dose 5 day higher dose

1 day reduced dose 4 day higher dose

1 day reduced dose 3 day higher dose

1 day reduced dose 2 day higher dose

1 day reduced dose 1 day higher dose --- mid point where you start increasing days with reduced dose

1 day higher dose 2 day reduced dose

1 day higher dose 3 day reduced dose

1 day higher dose 4 day reduced dose

1 day higher dose 5 day reduced dose

1 day higher dose 6 day reduced dose

[SnazzyD in reply to nickm001]

I’m confused, if you are taking one day at the new dose and say, 3 days at the higher dose, what happens in the other three days?

[Sandradsn in reply to SnazzyD]

Forget the days of the week.

1day new dose,3 days old dose.then..

1day new dose,2 days old dose.

[Singr in reply to Sandradsn]

Yes the mistake I made was doing it based on days of the week. even though I read it like the response above this.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

What other 3 days? DSNS doesn't work on weeks, it is a continuous process and best looked at on a monthly calendar:

On Day 1 take the new dose. For the next 6 days take the old dose

On Day 8 take the new dose, for the next 5 days take the old dose

On Day 14 take the new dose, for the next 4 days take the old dose

Continue always reducing the number of days of old dose by one.

One of those old-fashioned calendars with a space per day and a couple of highlighters makes it easy

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Ha! For some reason, my brain has hooked on the week and I’m having trouble getting it! Anyway, I did an odd version of my own and got away with it because I extended the period anyway. 🙄

[nickm001 in reply to SnazzyD]

I see others responded to your question. Nothing is cast in concrete. It is just a guide, and you can spin your variation as needed. When I was at higher dose I would use short version and start 1 day new and 3 day old dose, etc... Now I start longer version and if I feel fine by mid point I may speed up the rest of the transition. Some do each step 2x to slow down transition and help adrenals adjust. Customize it as you wish.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If your brain’s not working that well, maybe a pictorial version would be better - that’s why I have mine on either in excel version or as a PDF file. Give me your email on PM, not one open forum and I’ll send.

[nickm001 in reply to DorsetLady]

I use excel too.. In fact I just copied from my excel the text above for the Singr.

[Singr in reply to nickm001]

Saw that thanks. That's what I had a copy of. Looking at it now I don't know how I could have made such a mistake.

[Mary63]

If you feel ok I would suggest you now go to 7 days lower dose, as you are very nearly there anyway. The way you have got there makes it a slightly quicker reduction than the reduction you may have intended.

If you don’t feel as well as you did when on the higher dose I suggest you go back to higher dose for a month or so and try again.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Are you OK on that dose? if so, celebrate and stick at every day new lower dose for 3-4 weeks to be sure it is enough.

[Singr in reply to PMRpro]

Yes I am ok on this dose so I think I will try lower dose for 7 days. Is there a staying period before going down to the next reduction?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Singr]

I suggested 3-4 weeks - we all feel you need some time at the new dose to be sure it is enough. If you take a full month to reduce one mg then that probably was slow enough to say you can wait a bit less before starting the next reduction.

[MrsNails]

I’ve made my own chart in Excel (l’m a bit OCD) but l found that helped, I tied it in by days to match my Pill Box.

You need to sort it out when your feeling OK & use a Pill Box to help prevent you getting confused....

Good Luck 🍀

[Singr in reply to MrsNails]

I have a pill box but I didn't have the right order of reductions. I based it on weekdays. Thanks

[Singr]

Thanks all. I think I will try the 7 days at the lower rate and take it from there. I've been very slightly niggly with aches pains but nothing intolerable.