Advice please

[Smokygirl]

Help needed please from my wonderful gurus! My blood results from last week showed slightly raised inflammation. Doc says it’s from the flare I had five weeks ago when I tried to reduce from 8 mg to 7.5 mg

I raised Pred to 12.5 for five days ( which worked within 24 hours) then back to 8 mg for three weeks.

I feel fine on 8 mg

My question is if I am still showing inflammation should I do another five days on 12.5 to try to sweep it away? Or just continue on 8 for a few weeks?

And when can I try 7.5 again?

Help please! Xxx

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you feel okay at 8mg then stay there....maybe for 3-4 weeks and arrange another blood test (if you can) towards the end of that time, and see what the result are.

You can then decide - depending on symptoms, or lack of them - whether to taper or not.

[Smokygirl in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much DL. I shall stay at 8 mg for the next 6 weeks until my next blood test which is at the end of January. Happy Xmas! Xxxx

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It can take a while to fall - if you feel fine at 8mg I'd stay there and have another blood test to see if there is a change. The usual advice is that a raised ESR without symptoms shouldn't necessarily result in increasing the dose. It should be checked to establish if it is falling, stable or rising.

When can you try 7.5mg again? If it resulted in a flare this time - give it a couple of months before trying again. And be careful or you will end up just yoyoing and that causes problems long term. Pushing a reduction can mean you end up taking more pred than if you'd waited,

[Smokygirl in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks so much PMRPro. I shall take your advice and stick with 8 mg for the next 6 weeks. I have another blood test arranged for the end of January and which will give further info. and yes, I will tread carefully. It is so tempting to try to reduce again as I hate my huge boobs and excessive hair loss ( apparently due to an excess of Cortisol as my weight is stable) but I know I must not. Thank you again and a very Happy Xmas, xxxx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Smokygirl]

You have my sympathy on the boobs front - but mine have never only been due to the excuse of pred

[Smokygirl in reply to PMRpro]

🤣🤣🤣

[herdysheep]

I took the reduction too soon and paid the price. Go steady.

[Smokygirl in reply to herdysheep]

Thank you so much herdysheep—— I will try to go slowly! Wishing you a very Happy Xmas! Xxx

[Smokygirl]

Thanks so much hammer68—-so grateful for your advice . Wishing you a very Happy Xmas! Xxx