Flare

[Snnib]

Hi everyone well before Xmas had a flare after a visit to a and e and seeing my own doctor went up to 20mg pred highest I have ever been too be fair din't feel much better on that so after 5days doc said too go back too 15mg took a few days but started too feel better stayed there 3 weeks now on 12.5 for 3 weeks feeling not too bad now. Thats as far as doc went so do I follow the original advice given by my rheumatologist in my original diagnosis down too 10mg next then down 1mg a month from there till I get too 5mg. Or do I try ringing doc again in these trying times. All advice most welcome ladies and gentlemen.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

What does "not too bad" mean? I wouldn't be in a hurry to jump to 10mg given the recent history - I'd want another week and then try a halfway house between 12.5 and 10 if you can manage it. Or use one of the slow tapers:

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

It has worked well for people having to do 2.5mg steps in the past, it was partly developed for people on enteric coated pred which can't be cut and in those days there were no 1mg tablets.

[Snnib in reply to PMRpro]

Not too bad... I suppose means a lot better than I felt before just a little ache in shoulders and top of arms, do you think we just get use too putting up with it. Thanks for prompt reply. Would you go too 11mg then when I'm ready....

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Snnib]

Oh yes - I think we accept a lot when really we should be asking whether that is right. And yes - any intermediate step would be better than going 12.5 to 10 in one step.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Totally agree with PMRpro - nothing to add.

[piglette]

I could try and follow what you have been told, as it seems quite reasonable if you have no problems. You could always try oneof the reduction methods the others have suggested too. If you have any problems STOP, don’t continue. You may even need to increase a bit. Do not reduce until you feel OK.