Tapering

[Fifelassieo]

I was down to 3mg which l had been for a month, tried to come down to 2 mg and had a flare, was not sure if this was pmr fibro or arthritis. I have bad arthritis in my left shoulder, l asked dr. for naproxen she agreed to see if it helped with arthritis but it didn’t, tramadol did not help either, so it had to be pmr, l started getting pain in both shoulders arms, and thighs, couldn’t get appt with dr until 18th sept telephone appointment I have tried increasing the pred, l am now up to 5mg but still in pain. Any advice.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If you flared at 2mg and it happened quickly then experts suggest adding 5mg to where you flared and I would take that to be at 3mg so you should try 8mg. Even 1mg can be the difference between success and failure.

[Fifelassieo in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, l will try that, l just didn’t want to go up to much as this is the second time l have gotten to 3mg then flared

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Fifelassieo]

Then that is your body telling you that 3mg is where you need to stick for a few months. And then in future try just 1/2mg at a time.

You may well get back to 3mg straight away - you can drop to 3mg if it is within 7-10 days. Or if you feel safer, to 4mg.

[Fifelassieo in reply to PMRpro]

Yes great advice.

[Raven1955 in reply to Fifelassieo]

Just remember that when you get down to a low dose you just want to find what's effective - no rush to get to zero. When I got to a 3 mg dose a while back, my rheumy said he'd be fine if I "put my feet up on the desk and took 3 mg forever" as the side effects at such a low dose are about nil.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you follow PMRpro’s advice you may have something to tell GP on18th - and depending on whether further increase helps.

[Fifelassieo in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks l am going to take her advice

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Fifelassieo]

Good, let us know how things go please.

[Fifelassieo in reply to DorsetLady]

I will.