Today is my first day without prednisone, let's see?

[Musiclady18]

Diagnosed in November 2018 and started prednisone 20 mg, tried to taper over that time with relapses. My rheumy had me start methotrexate 20 mg, once a week, along with prednisone in February 2020. So my journey has been almost 2 years. Having tapered down today is my first day without prednisone. I have been out and enjoying the glorious weather this summer and able to do the chores I used to do with rest days in between. I hope this is the beginning of a new chapter in my PMR journey. Just wanted to share!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Let's hope so!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

All the best!

[SheffieldJane]

Lovely news!

[tangocharlie]

Sounds great news, have you got to this point by a slow reduction method or alternate days of old new dose - any tips to pass on to others? Are you feeling well?

[bakingD]

Well done 👍 are you still on MTX?

[MrsNails]

Well Done & Good Luck 🍀

[Hidden]

This is great news! Well done 👏🏻 I started on 20mg three months ago and just had my third failed attempt to get below 17mg. I really appreciate you sharing this as I’ve been feeling pretty rubbish lately, but maybe now I see a little light at the end of my tunnel... Could you please share the tapering method you used?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Susie_D, It took over two years until I could completely come off tablets, always only dropping by 1 mg for minimum of two weeks. Did have a flare up when first reached 3mg and had to go back up to 10mg and taper down again which was disheartening at time. Did slow tapering from 4mg the next time as lower the dose seems harder to reduce. Hope this helps and good luck.

[Manchild in reply to Hidden]

Just curious-are you completely pain free with minimal stiffness now?

[Hidden in reply to Manchild]

I have a little stiffness as would expect from age 56 think most people have but nothing like when had PMR symptoms. At worst I struggled to get out of bed as stiffness in shoulders. I know I am lucky and some will be on very low dose permanently.

[Manchild in reply to Hidden]

Yea, I don’t know. I’m 71 and never had any stiffness until I was hit with PMR. On 7.5 mg now after 2 years. Feel OK but still very stiff in back and hips in the morning. Improves as the day goes on. Sometimes fine and sometimes not.

Not complaining, just wanted to know if others are still stiff.., or not.

[Hidden]

I had similar time on prednisolone to yourself and have been free of tablets for 6 months now and feel good. Have the odd ache and pain but more due to being on planet for over half a century! One thing I have done is cut down on sugar as when have a lot feel more aches. Hope all goes well for you!

[Polymialgia]

So pleased to hear of someone who’s managed to get to zero in such a short space of time, I’m on 2mg and every few months I taper again and come off it , but only last about 10 days before I can feel the inflammation building again. Good luck

[whitefishbay]

Good luck!

[GerriMc]

Well done. You’re story mirrors mine almost exactly. I’m down to 1.5 mgs. Longing for the day I can say I’m off the meds. Keep well!

[Longtimer]

So nice to hear positive stories....hope for us longtimers!

Well done....

[Pr0jection]

Wonderful news,all the best to you.....

[Miguel13]

So how does this reconcile with Dr Guptas recommendation that a level of 2-5 mg of prednisone be maintained as a best practices to keep down inflammation. Be interested in people’s comments and experiences

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Miguel13]

I think Prof Dasgupta uses it for people who have difficulty in reducing further - rather than forcing people to keep trying to get lower or off pred he accepts it may not be possible. And it is 2 or 3mg he says - not 5mg.

[PMRCanada]

Your post is inspirational and gives me hope. All the best moving forward.

Freedom!

[Viv54]

Fingers crossed😊

[JanetGarrettN]

Best of luck!

[HeronNS]

Good luck!🍀