Can anyone help with tapering after a flare..

[Herman99]

Morning everyone, this is my first post as all you lovely informative people usually answer my questions before I have to ask. I have successfully tapered to 3mg using Dorset lady taper reducing 0.5mg every 16 weeks (I started off the slow taper beginning at 8mg after a flare) I stabilized on a 3mg dose for 4 months with no pain. After my second AZ jab 4 weeks ago my shoulders forearms and hips now reall hurt and the pain still remains after I take my daily dose all be it to a lesser degree. Can you advise me if I can raise my dose for say a week (if so what would be the dose you advise) and, if I do so can I immediately drop back to my 3mg dose. The thought of having to taper again over a long time fills me with dread. Thank you I dont know how I would have coped over the last 2 years without you.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Yes - the usual suggestion for a flare like this is to add 5mg to the dose where you flared for 7-10 days and then drop back to where you were without a slow taper. Whether the 3mg will be enough remains to be seen - depends how much the vaccine has upset the immune system to cause the flare. It took a good 8 weeks for my vaccine "flare" to subside although I only need a couple of mg more to calm it down.

[Herman99 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you for your support and advice...

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

PMRpro has given good advice - but also have a read of this post - might help a better understanding of situation. healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

[Herman99 in reply to DorsetLady]

Thank you so much Dorset Lady....