Reduction of 1 mg causing pain

[Fiddlersmum]

Who would have thought that a taper of just1 my from 20 to 19 would cause the pain to return in just 24 hours - do I carry on and see how it goes? Been on 20 for a month and easy moving for around a week!

[SnazzyD]

It could just be withdrawal pain as it has set in so quickly. Mine used to come on day 1-4. Generally speaking, withdrawal pain comes in soon after and flare a week or more because it has to build up. I didn’t have PMR but still got it. However, if you were having pain before the reduction, so your old dose wasn’t doing the trick, then it might be an increase in inflammation at a guess. If it has come out of nowhere then look to withdrawal and ride it out. I used to feel pretty rough and fluey in withdrawal days that lasted from a couple of days to a week.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If is come on immediately as SnazzyD says most likely steroid withdrawal symptoms and should only last about 3-4 days. You may find that paracetamol help. If it last longer than a week, it’s invariably loo low a dose.My steroid withdrawal left me feeling very pre menstrual - it can vary from person to person.

As you go along you will ‘’know” the difference between SW and a flare.

[Fiddlersmum in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much - I intend to ride it out for a few days - taking co-codamol and massaging with CBD balm - will see what happens and thank you for getting back to me - only second time trying a taper - last one wasn't as painful as this one!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to Fiddlersmum]

Well perhaps that indicates this was was a step too far! You just have wait a few days and see.

[Charlie1boy]

Hi,I've tapered down from 30mg to 1mg over the past six years, and I couldn't believe how much even a half mg makes - on more than one occasion!

I can't quite remember exactly, but I think this happened mostly at levels lower than 10mg.

If your situation is pred withdrawal, then my comments probably won't affect you.

Good luck.

Paddy

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It is more likely to be your body reacting to the change in dose - even 1mg can do that for some people. That is where the tapers we go on about come into their own - I could feel even 1/2mg changes but by doing one day new dose and several days old dose by the 4 time of meeting the new dose my body was accepting it was fine, would be back to normal soon.

If co-codamol helps that is also a sign it is withdrawal rather than PMR

[Fiddlersmum in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much - that method sounds good to me - !

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Fiddlersmum]

Have you got the link to the tapers? This one

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Joydeck]

I agree with PMRpro . If your 20 mg pred happens to be a marginal dose, even a small taper will produce a flare in a day or two. Delay your taper by a week or so.

Split dosing morning and night may improve matters if your PMR pain eases towards evening.