Prednisone Tapering

[Liby57]

I am trying to taper from 2.5 mg Prednisolone and as advised cut 2.5mg in half and added 1 to get 2.25mg. I am tapering very slowly in the hope of getting to zero. I’ve been on 2.25mg for 3 days and today had a bit of headache and a few aches but nothing that I couldn’t tolerate.

Found this info which might be of interest and what to expect so I am hoping as it says the headache is a withdrawal symptom and should only last a few days before settling.

verywellhealth.com/does-pre...

Wondering if anyone else at the low does experienced the same, was it PMR flare of withdrawal?

[piglette]

A rule of thumb says generally if you have trouble at the beginning of the taper it is normally steroid withdrawal but if you have it after a week or so you have reduced too much.

[Hidden]

Out of interest, how long has it taken you to arrive at this mg, and what was your original dose. Congratulations at getting to 2.5mg. I'd stay on that mg for a while if I were in your shoes. I'm currently doing the dead slow and stop method and hope I continue to do okay.

Anne

[Liby57 in reply to Hidden]

Hi I started with PMR symptoms end of May 2020 and started treatment beginning of June. I started on 20mg of Prednisolone. Really glad I found this site as there is so much great advice and I am taking this last stage really slowly. 🤞it will work.

[Hidden in reply to Liby57]

Yep, fingers crossed for you too.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

My take -

Steroid withdrawal v flare

Steroid withdrawal (or body getting used to new lower dose) usually shows immediately new dose is taken - and lasts between 2-5 days. It varies from a general feeling of being off colour to a return of symptoms pre diagnosis. For some it can be eased by paracetamol.

A flare happens when you’ve gone below the level of Pred your illness requires, (too low a dose) and take anything from a couple of days up to 2 weeks to materialise- and (usually) the symptoms are similar to those pre diagnosis.

If you haven’t yet reduced it could be that you are too active for your medication to control the illness.

Paracetamol (or equivalent) will not help. The only thing that does is an increase in dose. Sometimes a return to previous dose is enough, but if it’s got too bad then it’s recommended to add 5mg to the dose you last felt alright - stay there for 5-10 days and then drop back down to just above the dose you flared. Stay there for 2-4 weeks to make sure all okay before you try and taper again.

[Lonsdalelass]

Hi Liby57, the advice on this forum is brilliant isn't it? I'm similar to you at the moment, tapering very slowly from 2-1.5, and as Dorset Lady has just said, I do find a dose of paracetamol first thing helps so I'm hoping it's a case of steroid withdrawal for me rather than a flare. I got down to 1.5 last year in July but had to return to 5 for a week, then back down again. Its taken me till now but that's how it is. Stick in there and fingers crossed.

[Liby57 in reply to Lonsdalelass]

Yes it is and I am so glad I found it. Your experience is the same as mine, I’m feeling fine this morning and paracetamol did help so I think it is withdrawal and will continue with the taper very, very slowly. Hopefully we will get there. 🤞

[Charlie1boy in reply to Lonsdalelass]

Hi!Just curious really!! With a name like Lonesdalelass, do you hail from Kirby Lonsdale, or somewhere close by?

I only ask because my home town is Sedbergh, though I no longer live there. (Unfortunately).

Paddy

[Lonsdalelass in reply to Charlie1boy]

Ha, no, but I'm in North Cumbria, so relatively close!

[Charlie1boy in reply to Lonsdalelass]

Still the best part of the country though!Thanks for replying.

Paddy

[jinasc]

Are you cutting enteric coated tablets or the non-enteric ones?

[Liby57]

Hi i am cutting non-enteric Prednisolone as non enteric is apparently recommended for primary adrenal insufficiency.