Following the helpful advice from DL , PMR Pro and others 4 mths ago I increased my pred to 11mg per day in early September for 1 week, then dropped to10mg for 1 week and 9mg for 2 weeks and finally back to 8.5mg, the dose I had been comfortable on.
I was doing well but plantar fasciitis kicked in. I had a touch of this a few years ago and it sorted itself by using rubber inset heels. This time it was altogether more painful so I did all the right things, had moulded insoles made, ice and exercises 3 times daily etc and there has been some improvement, probably because I stopped my short exercise walks.
I tried slow taper again, 0.5mg in November but by week 3 that it was a mistake so I have been on 8.5mg again for over 3 weeks.
However, l am stiff in the morning and a bit uncomfortable most days, if I have used any muscles even gently ( ie sweeping, up and down ladder to put up lights) and I am feeling sore back again. This happens when I don't walk regularly...catch 22 situation.
Apart from the physical niggles my mood is "can't really be bothered, lost my spark ".
I guess that as I am less than 2 years on pred I am being too hopeful in thinking I can get to 7.5/8 mg and be in great form as I was earlier this year in early lock down.
Any thoughts ....Did I do better because of sunny dry weather? - (we have awful wet and damp weather here in north west England In winter). Am I getting too hung up on the need to reduce?
Reasoning does not work with PMR, it just doesn't listen! However I do listen to my body and my doctor is happy with that.
I think I should go up again but to what dose, (not sure) and stay there till spring at least. What would be sensible.. try going only to 9mg and see?
For information for others I am on 10 mg daily of omeprazole and still need to take tablets with yoghurt, keep a low fat diet and so on, but I have started drinking kefir after reading posts on here and l am now reducing the omeprazole gradually AND gut is a lot happier.
Happy Christmas? For most of us yes but sadly not for all. We must stay positive 👍🌞.
Good wishes to all.