Tapered from 15mg to 10 with new labs

[Dydee]

So starting in Sept. I began a very slow taper from 15mg reducing 1mg every 2 weeks. I hoped by going really slowly I wouldn't be taking a chance on ever feeling the horrible pain from prior to diagnosis. I am down to 10 mg now and went for labs yesterday. My results are: Monocytes-10.1, Lymphocytes-31.8, ESR-12 (up a tiny bit from last test), Eosinophils-2.1, CRP 1.6 (up from 1.0 last test), Basophils-.5, Absolute neutrophils-4.63 (down from 9.8 last test), and a few other things that all fell in normal range, similar to last tests.

Bonus was they also did a Covid 19 Antibody test since I tested positive for Covid in June and it came back positive. Had offered to donate convalescent plasma but didn't want to mess with it at 78 if I no longer had antibodies. Nice to know that after a mild case my antibodies have lasted 5 months so far.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

So far, so good - but now reduce monthly not every 2 weeks.

As your dose decreases the percentage of those reductions gets bigger, so invariably the task gets a bit more difficult.

A 1mg reduction from 15 to 14mg is easier than a reduction from 8 to 7mg. Recommendation is not more than 10% reduction of current dose.

[Dydee in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you! It is late here and I forgot to ask the question about tapering from 10mg. So I could do 1/2 mg. from here down using my pill splitter. LOL I have been on 10 now for two weeks, so go a month then 1/2 mg reduction every month? So far no return of symptoms although occasionally I get a quick twinge at bedtime in my left upper arm that feels awfully familiar. Sure don't want to go down that road again.

[Meggsy in reply to Dydee]

I regularly get that left upper arm twinge - have done so for two and a half years. It was my very first symptom. I like to think when that is gone forever then PMR will have left the premises. One can live in hope! Good luck with your taper. 🌻

[Dydee in reply to Meggsy]

Thank You Meggsy! Yes, my upper left arm was my worst and occasionally would sneak up my neck into my left jaw. Horrible.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Dydee]

That’s sounds good, another 2 weeks on 10mg - then have fun with pill cutter!

[Dydee in reply to DorsetLady]

LOL Maybe fun, as long as it works. Will be cutting 10s and 1s, and the ones are kinda small for a cutter. LOL

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Would they let you stay at 10mg for a bit longer and check those bloods again? Although the ESR and CRP are in normal range they are up from your previous readings - I would rather be patient, have another blood test and be sure there isn't an upward trend. They can precede a return of symptoms - or they could be due to something else.

[Dydee in reply to PMRpro]

Yes, my doc is pretty easy going. Besides, that would mean another office call. LOL I had originally planned to stay at 10mg for a couple of months and then start tapering again but it has gone so well I thought it might be safe to move forward after only a month. I would rather err on the side of caution, sure don't want to go backwards.