Flare

[Blackcatlover]

I’ve been reducing my Prednisone from 4mg to 3.5 mg using the DSNS method. I’m now down to 3.5 for the last two weeks. I’ve been noticing little signs of neck and arm pain the last couple of days. Today the pain really ramped up. I took an extra 5mg and within about three hours began to feel somewhat better. I plan on going back to 4mg because I realize my body isn’t ready to reduce. How many days can I safely add 5mg of pred and then safely go back to 4mg. Thanks. So glad I have you all as a resource.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Hi ,

Suggest 5-7 days to make sure you’ve mopped up excess inflammation - no problem to drop back to 4mg. Then stay there for a few weeks before recommencing taper.

[Blackcatlover in reply to DorsetLady]

Thanks. Have already put an extra 5mg in my pill box for four days. I’ll add a few more days.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

They say up to 7-10 days - but it sounds as if you have caught it in time so less will be fine.

Being a wimp - I'd stay at 4mg until spring now. Let it at least warm up a bit. Can't remember who but one rheumy advises his patients not to try to reduce in winter!!!

[Blackcatlover in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you from another wimp. I’ll stay at 4 mg for the rest of these very cold days. Going to add an extra five for a week.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Blackcatlover]

4mg is a dream for me!! Currently trying 14 again - it has been cold (-15C cold overnight) here but that means DRY and with sun was nice. Now we are having a wet intermission - not sure if the fact they got it wrong and we haven't had the 6in plus of snow that they promised overnight but it arrived as rain is good or bad. Because tonight it will freeze - down to -7C again. Wet is definitely NOT good for PMR! That is the main reason I can't face the thought of returning to the UK - I asked the other day if it ever stops raining and a friend in the northwest said "Only when it snows!" ...

[Blackcatlover in reply to PMRpro]

I live just three miles from the ocean and our winters are cold and damp. It’s a cold that seems to go right to your bones. Being so close to the coast, we have no spring. The cold ocean keeps our temps low and the winds high. I refer to that season as “ sprinter”. Wishing you well with your attempt to decrease your pred.

[HeronNS in reply to Blackcatlover]

"Sprinter"! Love it.

[HeronNS in reply to Blackcatlover]

Cautionary tale here, I had similar, blamed solely on OA . A couple of months on and I'm now taking10 mg pred, temporarily I hope, having gone up to 3 from 2 - five times my usual "lowest best dose". Good thing you've caught this early. Don't reduce again until you're sure, and not quite to where you were when the niggles began. I should have listened to my better, smarter self....

[Blackcatlover in reply to HeronNS]

Thanks. Good advice. I plan on staying at 4mg for the very long future if this extra 5mg gets me back to where I was. I know I’m lucky to be as low as 4mg. I believe I’m one of the people who must remain on low dose Prednisone for the rest of my life. I’m okay with that.