Prednisolone possible reduction: I have been... - PMRGCAuk

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Prednisolone possible reduction

Clucket profile image
9 Replies

I have been reducing slowly from 15mg in feb to only 11.25 now. I tried to reduce to 10 but felt lots of aches etc returning. I Went back to 11.25 one and a half weeks ago but although some of the aches have gone others haven't. I am not sure now what to do. Could these aches just be normal cos of possible overuse without me realising. Should I stay longer than 2 weeks on 11.25, should I go up on my dose, or should I just go ahead and try and reduce again. If I was to reduce again how much should i reduce by, and should i maybe try a 5 week slow taper? Hope someone can help or advise. Many thanks.

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Clucket
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9 Replies
DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer

Little point in trying to reduce if you have a return of symptoms - they are only likely to get worse.

You seem to have had a bit of a rollercoaster ride since the beginning. --which implies you were not started on a high dose initially, you are trying to do too much, or you've reduced too quickly, or a combination of all three.

Think you probably need to return to 15mg, get things under control - then reduce by 1mg a time, making sure you are okay at each dose before you reduce again... but you need to advise/contact Rheumy/Dr - they may not be too happy about it!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador

I suggest you ask your doctor for 1mg tablets - far easier than trying to cut a 5mg tablet and it also means you can cut a 1mg tablet to adjust the dose even better. Why do doctors have to make life difficult???

In the meantime, you might find taking 5mg more (15mg) for a few days might clear out the aches and then you could drop straight back to 11.25mg.

But you do need to think about what you are doing that might be contributing to the aches. Splitting any task into small bites is essential and avoiding some altogether may be necessary or at least building up to the task in very small amounts to sort of get "into training"!

Clucket profile image
Clucket in reply to PMRpro

Would increasing the dose mean I had problems reducing again?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Clucket

Not if it is only for a few days, up to a week is suggested as a way of sorting out a flare in symptoms that is due to having overshot the dose you need at present. If you do as DorsetLady suggests and start over again from 15mg, then yes, you need to reduce slowly. Preferably 1mg at a time.

Clucket profile image
Clucket in reply to PMRpro

How many days would it probably take to stop the aches if too low a dose is the cause. ?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Clucket

No way of knowing - it depends which tissues are affected and whether there was still a degree of inflammation that was topped up or whether it is all new. Under a week is usually plenty though.

Clucket profile image
Clucket in reply to PMRpro

How long would I then stay on 11.25 before reducing again?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply to Clucket

We generally feel you need at least 3-4 weeks at a new dose to be sure it is still enough before you reduce again. It is all very well racing down the doses - but if you go too fast you see a return of symptoms and have no idea at what dose it went pear-shaped.

herdysheep profile image
herdysheep

Reducing is only effective if the symptoms allow. Get on top of the inflammation and it should be easier, but it is much easier to say than do! As one who had several flares, I can only advise take it slowly - it will be quicker in the long run.

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