Apologies before I even start!

[Janann25]

I’ve just spent almost an hour reading “linked “ posts regarding increasing Pred due to a flare but I can’t find my answer anywhere! I have been on 5mg for over a month so decided to do the very slow taper - as I’ve always done - to four and a half. The first reduction was fine but when I did the second reduction a week later, I started to feel the old symptoms. So I returned to 5mg but it didn’t work. So for the last three days I’ve taken 10mg and feel so much better. My question is, if I continue for a total of 5 days to try to make sure I’ve knocked the inflammation on the head, can I go straight back to five - and stay there for a couple more weeks - or should I taper slowly again.

Again, sorry to have to repeat an already answered question.

Thank you, Jan

[SheffieldJane]

The method you describe has worked for me. I must have got it from these pages. I would be inclined to stay at 5 mgs to ensure that everything has settled, for the 2 weeks you suggest. This is a tricky stage what with the Cortisol needs making themselves felt as well. Good luck with it!

[Janann25 in reply to SheffieldJane]

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I’m so sorry, I’ve just noticed I put the wrong Pred dose on my post. I should have said - iI continue for a total of 5 days on 10mg Pred, can I return Immediately to 5mg or should I taper again?

Definitely Pred Head😉

[Maisiek in reply to Janann25]

Yes , be careful : I went back up to 10mg after a flare and stayed there for two weeks while awaiting a telephone consultation with my Rheumy: he was very disappointed ,said I was back to where I started and made Me start tapering all over again. ( I managed a very speedy taper down to 7mg). Good luck .x

[SheffieldJane in reply to Janann25]

Yes I think staying at Pred for 5 -10 days will work, then straight back down.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes - you can return to the former lower dose without tapering slowly within 7-10 days. Probably better to go to the previous dose, the one you flared at is almost certainly too low so back to 5mg. And by the way - one very good rheumy likes to keep patients at 5mg for up to 9 months before carrying on - and it works for him. No rush now ...

[Janann25 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much for providing the answer - I thought it was you who had written about this in the first place - and yes I’ll leave it a while before I try to reduce again!!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Janann25]

Several of us have - the question comes up very often!

[agingfeminist in reply to PMRpro]

thank you for this. Tapering and decided to stay on 6mg for the past 3 weeks because I feel on the edge of some resurgence...I will stay on it until I feel sure the transient twinges subside...maybe months if necessary....

your advice just gives me the confidence to listen to my body and not to the doctors who just want me to be off the drug...(I have ignored them for a long time...but it helps to get some reassurance here...Thank you)

[Janann25 in reply to agingfeminist]

Yes, I would definitely be lost with the advice on here 😊