Taper symptoms

[Southmead]

Just wondering if this is normal pred tapering. I have been following the taper chart religiously., probably for a bout 6 months or more. I have gone from 9 mm, and now transitioning from 6 mm to 5mm. Roughly in a week, I get 3-4 days of feeling like the (S) word, and 2-3 days of feeling normal, with good energy and able to go about my daily life, but the other days I feel the fatigue, etc. Is this normal tapering, or should I increase the dosage to get past the off days? I know it's down to getting the adrenal gland going, but wondered if this is to be expected. Thank you in advance, HU has been a godsend to me.

Peter

[PMRpro Ambassador]

If it isn't PMR-type symptoms I'd think it probably is the adrenal problem. Have you kept a bit of a diary to see how what you do relates to good and bad days? Are the bad days alternating with good days when you do too much? Then you rest on a bad day so feel better the next day? Maybe your pacing needs some attention.

[Southmead in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you, a diary is good idea, I will start doing that.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Part of your issues are normal.

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. Paracetamol or similar may help.

One way of reducing these problems may be to use a slow tapering plan, rather than an “overnight” drop - here is just one version - healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

The other factor you mention - fatigue - most certainly are the adrenals beginning to start working again. That would probably be helped by you reducing 0.5mg a time rather than 1mg. They do not suddenly switch back on, they need gentle nudging and cajoling, and a slow taper and smaller reductions will help that

Plus, you may be following your taper chart religiously, but that doesn’t mean your PMR is happy with it....on lower doses particularly you need to listen to your body - not follow the calendar come what may.

[Liby57]

I found this article about withdrawal useful. therecoveryvillage.com/pred...

[Southmead in reply to Liby57]

Thank you! Yes, very, very helpful. I bookmarked the page for future reference..