Tapering again x 3 : I think Saturday (yesterday... - PMRGCAuk

PMRGCAuk

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Tapering again x 3

IdasMum profile image
23 Replies

I think Saturday (yesterday) was the 3rd Saturday where I took 1/2mg less as part of a slow, slower than a snail taper. Each Tuesday following I have felt less energetic than more recently and my feet are painful.

On Monday of this week we went to the coast for a day and a night and just before we left I decided to take an extra 10mgs to help me cope with the extra energy I'd be needing. Of course the 10mgs didn't kick in until Weds, we'd already been back 24 hours. We had a lovely time, it was very hot but so good to be by the sea, to eat out, to paddle and reminisce about holidays there in my youth.

I walked 11500 steps, way more than my norm even when feeling 100% (I average around 7k steps per day). I'd say 5k of those steps was hard going and I felt slow and fatigued. I haven't been for one of my alternate day walks since. (Partly down to weather conditions).

My normal dose of Pred is 7.5 and I am pretty certain this is a 3rd attempt to reduce. I don't have an bilateral pains or old PMR symptoms. Am tempted to go see my GP and just tell him, this is as good as it gets. I can either stay at 7.5, walk, get fit, lose weight or I can attempt to reduce and become more sedentary.

I know you're gonna tell me that this might be my level.....I just need to hear/read it again.

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IdasMum profile image
IdasMum
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23 Replies
piglette profile image
piglette

I think you have answered your question! When you feel everything is fine and running smoothly try reducing by 0.5mg, it will work when you are ready. Do you often take an extra 10mg just in case when you do something extra?

IdasMum profile image
IdasMum in reply topiglette

No, less than once per year.

piglette profile image
piglette in reply toIdasMum

I was just a bit worried as some people treats pred like normal pain killers and do not follow the tapering but just take various amounts as they feel fit.

Maisiek profile image
Maisiek

Hi, I do sympathise - around 7mg does seem to be a sticking point , but I’ve persevered with the DSNS system ( pinned on here)and I’m down to 4mg, managing to lose weight(low carbs), more energy , sleeping better , less pain etc. I noticed a low point as I went down each 1/2 mg but Managed with paracetamol. I always keep at the back of my mind the advice from this wonderful forum that REST is the only thing PMR responds to! Good luck! X

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toMaisiek

Though that rest isn't entire slobbing about inactivity ;)

Maisiek profile image
Maisiek in reply toPMRpro

What are you implying 🤣

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toMaisiek

;)

Constance13 profile image
Constance13 in reply toPMRpro

Don't talk about me!🤪

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toConstance13

If the cap fits - I named no names did I?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

It is YOUR body, YOUR PMR - and your body is telling you that, for now, this is where you need to be. It may be different in a few months time - especially if the weight loss keeps on.

Where did you go?

IdasMum profile image
IdasMum in reply toPMRpro

Thank you, of course you're right (as always).

Royan on the SW coast, Gironde estuary.

2 holidays there in early teens, fond memories.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toIdasMum

Jealous ...

IdasMum profile image
IdasMum in reply toPMRpro

🤣

Poire Belle Helene pour moi.
PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toIdasMum

Huh! Not what you'd call low carb or low cal ... ;)

😇

IdasMum profile image
IdasMum in reply toPMRpro

Exactly. A day of indulgence 😋😋

bussell profile image
bussell

Where were you on that fabulous empty sea front? Tonic enough to keep you going through the PMR maze!

IdasMum profile image
IdasMum in reply tobussell

Royan, SW France, 2.5 hours from us. Something we might have done in a day, driving there and back on same day. Nowadays it's too far for a round trip.

Nice hotel looking across the beach with a balcony. Thankfully picking up a sea breeze, it was 31C and felt much more intense with the reflection of the white sand and the sea.

The beach was occupied all through the day and evening. Spotless when we arrived and spotless at 11pm curfew.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toIdasMum

Amazing how the whole of Europe can manage it but let a few Brits loose and you are up to your ankles in left-behind rubbish.

IdasMum profile image
IdasMum in reply toPMRpro

Yes exactly. I didn't say it out loud here but was so happy to see my fellow citoyens taking their detritus with them and imagining another story over the channel.

bussell profile image
bussell

Hot! Amazingly I have been there, but long ago. I had a holiday there when I was 21, and now I'm 81. Not surprising that I didn't recognise it! You must live in a very lovely part of France. (Sitting here in S London with rain pouring down and 13 degrees, I am envious!)

IdasMum profile image
IdasMum

This is the boardwalk in front of Pontiallac beach with the Casino on the sands. It looks somewhat different to my memories but the beach remains the same with the fishing huts along the western side and the large houses overlooking.

Corniche is the larger beach.

We've had violent storms all weekend and there is rain on the way now, however I agree, wet and cool S. London not quite the same. Courage mon brave :D

Fishing huts
SheffieldJane profile image
SheffieldJane

I was stuck at 7 mgs for a year, then something shifted and I managed to get down to 3 mgs. However, I was diagnosed with GCA/LVV shortly afterwards. I sometimes wonder if that’s why I couldn’t get lower. My body was incubating something else. Not helped by my grandchildren all going to live in Australia. ☹️

IdasMum profile image
IdasMum in reply toSheffieldJane

Oh no 😪

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